Go Back
Pesto Penne Pasta

Pesto Penne Pasta Recipe

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 610
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb penne pasta
  • 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
  • 1/3 cup pine nuts
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • Fresh black pepper
  • Reserved pasta water

Method
 

  1. Cook penne in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, about 12 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
  2. Toast pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until golden. Blend pine nuts, basil, garlic, and salt in a food processor, then slowly add olive oil with the machine running. Pulse in Parmesan and pepper until just combined.
  3. Toss hot pasta with pesto and a splash of pasta water, adding more water as needed until the sauce coats the penne. Serve with extra Parmesan.

Notes

If the pesto tastes a little sharp, a tiny pinch of sugar or a teaspoon more Parmesan rounds it out. The sauce thickens as it sits, so add that pasta water right before serving.