Pesto Pasta Recipe
Make Pesto Pasta Recipe in just 30m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Pasta
Pesto Sauce
Method
Cooking the Pasta
- 1
Boil Water
In a large pot, bring about 4 liters of water to a boil. Once boiling, add 1 tablespoon of salt.
- 2
Cook Pasta
Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes, until al dente.
- 3
Drain and Set Aside
Once cooked, drain the pasta and reserve about 1 cup of pasta water. Set the pasta aside.
Preparing the Pesto Sauce
- 4
Blend Ingredients
In a food processor, combine the fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic cloves, and grated Parmesan cheese. Pulse until finely chopped.
- 5
Add Olive Oil
With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture becomes a smooth paste.
- 6
Season the Pesto
Add lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to taste. Blend again to combine.
Combining Pasta and Pesto
- 7
Mix Pasta with Pesto
In a large bowl, combine the drained pasta with the pesto sauce. Toss well to evenly coat the pasta.
- 8
Adjust Consistency
If the pasta seems too dry, add a little reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
Serving
- 9
Plate and Garnish
Serve the pesto pasta warm, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of black pepper if desired.