4.1 from 144 votes
Homemade Pesto Pasta Recipe
Homemade Pesto Pasta combines bucatini or similar noodles with a fresh pesto sauce made from garlic, toasted pine nuts, fresh basil, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, and seasoning. The pesto is blended until smooth and mixed with hot pasta, using reserved cooking water to create a lightly sauced finish. Cherry tomatoes add a burst of freshness as a topping.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings:
6
as a main course, 8-10 as a side dish
Calories:
553 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 1 pound bucatini pasta spaghetti or other favorite noodle
- 1 garlic cloves
- ½ cup pine nuts toasted
- 2 cups basil washed and stemmed and finely packed, fresh leaves
- ½ cup olive oil
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese fresh grated, plus more for garnish
- ½ lemon , juiced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- black pepper fresh ground
- cherry tomato
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti or other pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions or until al dente. Drain the pasta and reserve 1 cup of the cooking water.
- While pasta is cooking, add the roughly chopped garlic, toasted pine nuts, and finely grated parmesan cheese to a food processor and process until smooth. Then, add in the basil. Pulse a few times until chopped then let it run as you drizzle the olive oil into the processor as it runs until emulsified. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, give a squeeze of lemon juice, and whiz again until combined. Taste for seasoning and adjust to your liking.
- Toss the hot pasta with the pesto in a large bowl and add reserved pasta water ¼ cup at a time or until saucy. Top with the cherry tomatoes and season with more salt and pepper if desired and garnish with more parmesan cheese.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
553kcal
(28%)
Carbohydrates
59g
(20%)
Protein
15g
(30%)
Fat
29g
(45%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
6g
(35%)
Monounsaturated Fat
16g
(80%)
Cholesterol
6mg
(2%)
Sodium
333mg
(14%)
Potassium
282mg
(6%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
492IU
(10%)
Vitamin C
6mg
(7%)
Calcium
134mg
(13%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 as a main course, 8-10 as a side dish
Amount Per Serving
Calories 553
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 553kcal | 28% |
| Carbohydrates | 59g | 20% |
| Protein | 15g | 30% |
| Fat | 29g | 45% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 6g | 35% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 16g | 80% |
| Cholesterol | 6mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 333mg | 14% |
| Potassium | 282mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 492IU | 10% |
| Vitamin C | 6mg | 7% |
| Calcium | 134mg | 13% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.