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Basil Pesto Pasta

Basil Pesto Pasta Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 660

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
  • 1/3 cup pine nuts
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • Kosher salt
  • 12 oz dried pasta
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta cooking water

Method
 

  1. Toast pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium-low heat, shaking often, until golden and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Let cool.
  2. In a food processor, combine basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan, lemon juice, and 1/2 tsp salt. Pulse until chopped, then drizzle in olive oil with the motor running until smooth.
  3. Cook pasta in heavily salted boiling water until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
  4. Return pasta to the pot and add the pesto with 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Toss until creamy, adding more water as needed. Serve hot with extra Parmesan and basil.

Notes

Add the pasta water gradually while tossing, re-heating the pesto over direct heat can dull the basil’s bright flavor, so toss off the heat instead.