Easy Pesto Pasta Recipe

A white plate filled with casarecce pasta coated in green pesto sauce, garnished with finely chopped herbs. The pasta is arranged neatly, and the close-up shot showcases its texture and color. The background is a wooden surface.
4 from 27 votes

This traditional, classic basil pesto pasta is one of the easiest pasta dishes you can make. Just imagine the combination of fresh basil, pine nuts, olive oil and Parmesan, so flavorful and colorful. To make this delicious recipe you need only 20-25 minutes and you can serve amazing pasta dish.

A white plate filled with casarecce pasta coated in green pesto sauce, garnished with finely chopped herbs. The pasta is arranged neatly, and the close-up shot showcases its texture and color. The background is a wooden surface.

Easy Pesto Pasta Recipe

4 from 27 votes
Prep Time 25 minutes
WORK TIME 25 minutes
DIFFICULTY Easy
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 yields

Ingredients
 

  • 300 g 10.5oz Pasta of your choice
  • 2 cups 40-45g Basil leaves
  • ¼ cup 35g Pine nuts
  • ½ cup 40g Parmesan cheese
  • 1 clove Garlic crushed
  • ½ cup 120ml Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • DIRECTIONS
    1. Make the pesto sauce: toast the pine nuts for a few minutes over low heat until light brown. Immediately remove and let cool slightly.
    2. Place all ingredients in a food processor or blender, add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Process until finely chopped, while processing, gradually pour olive oil and keep processing until smooth. Check the seasoning and add more salt if needed. Transfer to a large bowl and set aside.
    3. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot with water to a boil. Add salt. Add pasta and cook to al dente according to package directions. Drain when ready (Just before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water).
    4. Transfer the pasta to the sauce, add 1/4 cup of the cooking water, toss the pasta to coat, adding more water if needed until getting smooth consistency.
    5. Transfer to a serving plate, garnish with few basil leaves and freshly grated parmesan.
    More pasta dishes you may like:

Video

YouTube video
Nutrition information is automatically generated and thus we can not guarantee it is 100% accurate.

One Comment

  1. Best pesto sauce I’ve ever made!

    July 3, 2024
4 from 27 votes (27 ratings without comment)

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