Stove-Top Basil Pesto Pasta

Ingredients

- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
- 1/2 cup pine nuts
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 pound pasta of choice (e.g., spaghetti or linguine)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Basil Pesto:
- Place basil leaves, pine nuts, and garlic in a food processor. Pulse until the ingredients are finely chopped.
- Add Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Pulse to combine.
- With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the pesto reaches your desired consistency.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer the pesto to a bowl and set aside.

2. Cook the Pasta:
- Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Add a generous amount of salt to the boiling water, then add the pasta.
- Cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.

3. Combine Pasta and Pesto:
- Return the pasta to the pot.
- Add the basil pesto to the hot pasta and toss to combine. Add reserved pasta water, a little at a time, to achieve a creamy consistency.
- Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.

4. Serve:
- Plate the pasta, garnishing with extra Parmesan cheese and a sprig of fresh basil if desired.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!

Preparation & Cooking Times

Preparation Time:
PT15M
15 minutes

Cooking Time:
PT15M
15 minutes

Total Time

PT30M
30 minutes

Type of Dish

Lunch

Keywords

- Basil
- Pesto
- Pine nuts
- Parmesan
- Lemon zest
- Lemon juice
- Olive oil
- Easy pasta
- Quick lunch
- Italian cuisine

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

Total calories for the entire dish: 2,000 calories

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