Enjoy a bowl of Easy Pesto Pasta, a quick and flavorful meal perfect for busy weeknights. Fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan, and olive oil blend into a vibrant sauce that coats tender pasta beautifully. Serve with cherry tomatoes, grilled chicken, or roasted vegetables for a wholesome dinner everyone will love.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta (spaghetti, penne, or fusilli)
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 1/3 cup pine nuts (toasted)
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (optional)
- Grilled chicken or roasted vegetables (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Boil pasta in salted water according to package instructions. Drain and reserve 1/4 cup pasta water.
- Make pesto: In a food processor, blend basil, pine nuts, garlic, and Parmesan. Slowly add olive oil until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Toss pasta: Mix hot pasta with pesto sauce. Add reserved pasta water if needed for creaminess.
- Add toppings: Stir in cherry tomatoes, grilled chicken, or roasted vegetables as desired.
- Serve: Garnish with extra Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil. Serve warm.
Tips & Variations
- Swap pine nuts with walnuts or almonds for a nutty twist.
- Make it vegan by skipping Parmesan and using nutritional yeast.
- Use fresh sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor.
- For a quick version, use store-bought pesto and toss with pasta.
