Mafaldine Basil Pesto Recipe
Make Mafaldine Basil Pesto 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
Basil Pesto
Method
Preparing the Pasta
- 1
Boil the Water
In a large pot, bring 4-5 liters of water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt to the boiling water.
- 2
Cook the Mafaldine
Add the mafaldine pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes, until al dente.
- 3
Drain the Pasta
Once cooked, reserve a cup of pasta water and drain the pasta in a colander. Set aside.
Making the Basil Pesto
- 4
Prepare the Ingredients
Gather the fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, grated Parmesan cheese, whole garlic cloves, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, and salt.
- 5
Blend the Pesto
In a food processor, combine fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, grated Parmesan cheese, and whole garlic cloves. Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped.
- 6
Add Olive Oil
While the food processor is running, slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil until the pesto reaches a smooth consistency.
- 7
Season the Pesto
Add lemon juice and salt to taste, then pulse again to combine.
Combining Pasta and Pesto
- 8
Mix Pasta with Pesto
In the pot used to cook the pasta, add the drained mafaldine and the prepared basil pesto. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time if needed to achieve the desired consistency.
- 9
Serve
Plate the mafaldine basil pesto and garnish with extra grated Parmesan cheese and a few pine nuts if desired. Serve immediately.