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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.
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Easy Pesto Pasta Recipe

Prep Time25 minutes
WORK TIME25 minutes
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.
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