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Green Pesto Pasta

Green Pesto Pasta Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 595

Ingredients
  

  • ¾ lb penne or other short pasta
  • 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
  • ⅓ cup pine nuts
  • 1 large garlic clove
  • ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper

Method
 

  1. Toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and let cool.
  2. In a food processor, combine the toasted pine nuts, basil, garlic, Parmesan, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Pulse until nearly smooth but still with small flecks of basil, about 30 seconds.
  3. Cook the penne in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, 9 to 11 minutes. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
  4. Return the hot pasta to the pot off the heat. Add the pesto and 2 tablespoons reserved pasta water and toss until evenly coated. Serve with extra Parmesan.

Notes

If you plan to store leftovers, keep some extra reserved pasta water in the fridge. When you reheat, a splash of that water brings the creamy texture back instead of the sauce turning oily.