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 Ingredients
Pesto Ingredients
Method
Cooking Pasta
- 1
Boil Water
In a large pot, bring 4 quarts of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat.
- 2
Cook Pasta
Add 8 cups of pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes.
- 3
Drain Pasta
Once cooked, reserve 1 cup of pasta water and then drain the pasta in a colander.
Making Pesto
- 4
Prepare Ingredients
In a food processor, add 2 cups of fresh basil leaves, 1 tablespoon of pine nuts, and 2 garlic cloves.
- 5
Blend Pesto
Pulse the ingredients together until finely chopped. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- 6
Add Cheese and Oil
Add 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 1 cup of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of black pepper to the food processor.
- 7
Final Blend
Blend the mixture until smooth and creamy. If the pesto is too thick, add some reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
Combining Pasta and Pesto
- 8
Combine
In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained pasta and the prepared pesto. Toss until the pasta is well coated.
- 9
Serve
Serve the pesto pasta warm, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.
