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Dinner

Fresh Basil Pesto Pasta

This simple pesto pasta is a quick and flavorful dinner that tastes like a sunny day in Italy.

By Daily Recipes Book· 🌍 Italian· July 20, 2026
Fresh Basil Pesto Pasta
dailyrecipesbook.com
Prep
10 minutes
Cook
10 minutes
Total
20 minutes
Serves
4

There is something so comforting about a big bowl of pasta tossed in bright, fragrant basil pesto. It is one of those meals that feels fancy but actually comes together in less than twenty minutes, making it a perfect choice for a busy weeknight when you still want something delicious.

My favorite trick for the best texture is to save a little bit of the starchy pasta water. Mixing that water into the sauce helps it cling to the noodles perfectly and makes everything silky smooth. You can serve this as a main course or alongside some grilled chicken.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound of your favorite pasta like linguine or penne
  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/3 cup pine nuts
  • 3 cloves garlic, peeled
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. 1

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente.

  2. 2

    While the pasta cooks, place the basil, Parmesan, pine nuts, and garlic into a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped.

  3. 3

    With the machine running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture is smooth and well combined.

  4. 4

    Reserve about half a cup of the pasta cooking water before you drain the noodles.

  5. 5

    Return the drained pasta to the pot, add the pesto, and toss well to coat.

  6. 6

    Add the reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time if the sauce needs to be thinner or creamier.

  7. 7

    Season with salt and pepper to your liking and serve warm.

💡 Tips

Store any leftover pesto in a small jar with a thin layer of olive oil on top to keep it bright green. You can toast your pine nuts in a dry pan for a minute before blending to bring out a deeper nutty flavor.

#pasta#quick dinner#vegetarian#italian#easy recipe

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