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
Boil Water
In a large pot, bring 4 quarts of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat.
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.
Drain Pasta
Once cooked, reserve 1 cup of pasta water and then drain the pasta in a colander.
Making Pesto
Prepare Ingredients
In a food processor, add 2 cups of fresh basil leaves, 1 tablespoon of pine nuts, and 2 garlic cloves.
Blend Pesto
Pulse the ingredients together until finely chopped. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
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.
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
Combine
In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained pasta and the prepared pesto. Toss until the pasta is well coated.
Serve
Serve the pesto pasta warm, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.