Best Pesto Pasta Recipe is a classic Italian dish that consists of pasta (such as spaghetti or fettuccine) tossed with a sauce made from basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and olive oil. The pasta is usually cooked al dente and then combined with the pesto sauce, which can be made by blending the ingredients together in a food processor or mortar and pestle.
What is Pesto?
Pesto is a traditional sauce from Italy’s Liguria region, made from fresh basil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts and olive oil. The ingredients are typically ground together with a mortar and pestle or a food processor to form a smooth and creamy sauce.
Pesto is typically used as a condiment for pasta, but it can also be used as a spread for sandwiches, a topping for pizza, or as a marinade for meats and fish. Pesto sauce is known for its bright green color and its strong, flavorful taste which is due to the combination of fresh basil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts and olive oil. Pesto can be made with different types of nuts like walnuts, almonds or pistachios, and can also be made with different types of greens like arugula, spinach, or kale. Pesto is a versatile sauce, and you can make your own variations by experimenting with different ingredients.
Is Pesto Healthy?
Pesto can be considered healthy in moderation, as it is made primarily from fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. These ingredients provide a good source of antioxidants, healthy fats, and flavor. However, it is high in calories and fat, so consuming too much of it can be detrimental to one’s diet. It’s best to enjoy pesto in small portions and use it as a flavorful addition to other healthy foods, like vegetables and whole grains.
Pesto Pasta Recipe Ingredients:
- For Making Best Pesto Pasta Recipe:
- OLIVE OIL | 2-3 TBSP
- GARLIC | 1 CLOVE
- WALNUT | 4-5 NOS.
- SALT | A PINCH
- BASIL LEAVES | 100 GRAMS
- PARMESAN CHEESE | 50 GRAMS (GRATED)
- OLIVE OIL | 3 TBSP
For Boiling the Pasta:
• SALT | A LARGE
• PINCHPASTA | 250 GRAMS (PENNE)
Final Assembly:
• PASTA | AS REQUIRED
• (HOT) PARMESAN CHEESE | AS REQUIRED
• PESTO | AS REQUIRED
• PASTA WATER | 1-2 TBSP
• SALT | IF REQUIRED
Making The Best Pesto Pasta Recipe Step by Step:
1. It’s a very simple & quick recipe. Let’s see how to make Pesto. In a chopper add 2-3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, 1 clove of garlic, and 4-5 walnuts, & add a pinch of salt & grind it nicely. We grind them before as we want the nuts (walnuts) & the garlic to nicely get crushed. Because after that when we add basil, we don’t have to grind for longer which will avoid heat generating in the grinder.
2. So, you can see everything is nicely blended & emulsified.
3. At this stage, I’ve taken a big bunch or 100 grams of cleaned basil leaves. I’m adding 50 grams of grated parmesan cheese here, & I’m adding 1 tbsp more of extra virgin olive oil.
4. Now, you have to grind this pesto. Don’t make this into a very fine paste. Grind it coarsely. In between I’ll remove the lid & add some more oil & in total, I’m going to use 2-3 tbsp earlier & 4-5 tbsp more olive oil now. So, in between open the lid, scrape the sides, add some more oil & continue to grind, Until its consistency becomes somewhat like this. You can see that our pesto is ready.
5. So, let’s see how to perfectly boil pasta. Bring the water to a rolling boil. It is very important that the water should be thoroughly boiled.
6. Then add a large generous pinch of salt to this. After adding the salt, I’m adding penne pasta here. I’m adding 250 grams of pasta here. This amount will be sufficient to use up the entire pesto sauce batch.
7. Set a timer & boil the pasta for 8 minutes. Just immediately after adding the pasta, stir once. Within 8 minutes, you can stir the pasta 2-3 times. The pasta can get stuck to the bottom of the pan sometimes. So, boil the pasta with an 8-minute timer.
8. After that, I’ll remove the pasta & show it to you. When you cut it, you shouldn’t see the dry white ring in the center. When this ring has almost gone, which means that your pasta is perfectly cooked. When you bite into the pasta, then it should have a slight bite to it, which means it is ‘Al Dente’. It should be almost cooked or almost done. So, that is how your pasta should be boiled. If you like your pasta well cooked, then you can do that too. Nothing is really wrong. A lot of us Indians like properly cooked pasta.
9. Then boil it further for 2-3 minutes. Once your pasta is boiled, take it out into a strainer & strain it. If you are going to use the pasta a little later in time, then add some oil & mix it.
10. Reserve the pasta water, don’t discard it. Transfer hot pasta to a bowl. Now, as per your requirement grate & add parmesan cheese. Along with that add the basil pesto that we made earlier & now stir it nicely.
11. While stirring, if you feel that it is slightly dry, then add some pasta water to it. This is why we had reserved the pasta water. Stir it nicely to coat this pesto properly to the pasta.
12. Once you have done this process, then taste it & season it as per your taste. Add some salt if needed & stir it again & our Pesto Pasta is ready.
What should I put in my pesto pasta to make a good?
Here are a few ingredients you can add to your pesto pasta to make a delicious and satisfying dish:
Vegetables: Adding some sautéed or roasted vegetables, such as zucchini, bell peppers, or broccoli, can add some extra nutrients and flavor to your pasta.
Protein: You can add some protein to your pasta by adding cooked chicken, shrimp, or even some crumbled tofu.
Grated Parmesan cheese: Parmesan cheese is a classic ingredient in pesto, adding a nutty and salty flavor that pairs well with the pasta.
Pine nuts: Toasted pine nuts or walnuts can add a nice crunch and a nutty flavor to your pasta dish.
Fresh herbs: Some fresh basil or parsley can add a freshness and flavor to your pasta.
A squeeze of lemon juice: A touch of lemon juice can add a bright, acidic note that can help balance the richness of the pesto sauce.
A sprinkle of chili flakes, for a bit of heat.
Remember that Pesto sauce can be high in calories and fat, so use it in moderation, and balance with other nutrient-dense ingredients.
Pesto Pasta Recipe Nutrition Facts:
The nutritional information for a pesto pasta dish will vary depending on the specific recipe and ingredients used. However, here is an estimate of the nutritional information for a basic pesto pasta dish made with 2 cups of cooked whole wheat pasta, 1/4 cup of pesto sauce, and 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese:
Calories: 483
Total Fat: 26g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 16mg
Sodium: 707mg
Total Carbohydrates: 47g
Dietary Fiber: 5g
Sugars: 2g
Protein: 15g
This is a general estimate, and the nutritional information will vary depending on the ingredients you use and their quantity. If you’re watching your fat and calorie intake, you can try using a lighter pesto sauce made with low-fat cheese and less oil, or reduce the quantity of pesto sauce used in the recipe, and add more vegetables, to make it more nutritious.
What should you serve with pesto pasta?
Pesto pasta can be served with a variety of sides, including a mixed green salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables. Additionally, pesto pasta is often paired with proteins such as chicken, shrimp, or grilled vegetables. A sprinkle of grated Parmesan or Pecorino cheese on top can be a nice addition.
Best Pesto Pasta Recipe | Best Pasta for Pesto | The Best Pesto Pasta Recipe
Equipment
- One big Bowl
- Blender
- Knife
- Saucepan
Ingredients
For Making the Best Pesto Pasta Recipe
- 3-4 Tbsp OLIVE OIL
- 3-4 Piece GARLIC CLOVE
- 4 Piece WALNUT
- 1 Tbsp SALT
- 100 Gram BASIL LEAVES
- 50 Gram PARMESAN CHEESE
- 3 Tbsp OLIVE OIL
For Boiling the Pasta
- 1 Tbsp SALT
- 250 Gram PASTA
Final Assembly
- PASTA AS REQUIRED (HOT)
- PARMESAN CHEESE AS REQUIRED
- PESTO AS REQUIRED
- 1-2 Tbsp PASTA WATER
- SALT AS REQUIRED
Instructions
Making Pesto
- It's a very simple & quick recipe. Let's see how to make Pesto. In a chopper add 2-3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, 1 clove of garlic, and 4-5 walnuts, & add a pinch of salt & grind it nicely. We grind them before as we want the nuts (walnuts) & the garlic to nicely get crushed. Because after that when we add basil, we don't have to grind for longer which will avoid heat generating in the grinder.
- So, you can see everything is nicely blended & emulsified.
- At this stage, I've taken a big bunch or 100 grams of cleaned basil leaves. I'm adding 50 grams of grated parmesan cheese here, & I'm adding 1 tbsp more of extra virgin olive oil.
- Now, you have to grind this pesto. Don't make this into a very fine paste. Grind it coarsely. In between I'll remove the lid & add some more oil & in total, I'm going to use 2-3 tbsp earlier & 4-5 tbsp more olive oil now. So, in between open the lid, scrape the sides, add some more oil & continue to grind, Until its consistency becomes somewhat like this. You can see that our pesto is ready.
Making Pasta Perfectly
- So, let's see how to perfectly boil pasta. Bring the water to a rolling boil. It is very important that the water should be thoroughly boiled.
- Then add a large generous pinch of salt to this. After adding the salt, I'm adding penne pasta here. I'm adding 250 grams of pasta here. This amount will be sufficient to use up the entire pesto sauce batch.
- Set a timer & boil the pasta for 8 minutes. Just immediately after adding the pasta, stir once. Within 8 minutes, you can stir the pasta 2-3 times. The pasta can get stuck to the bottom of the pan sometimes. So, boil the pasta with an 8-minute timer.
- After that, I'll remove the pasta & show it to you. When you cut it, you shouldn't see the dry white ring in the center. When this ring has almost gone, which means that your pasta is perfectly cooked. When you bite into the pasta, then it should have a slight bite to it, which means it is 'Al Dente'. It should be almost cooked or almost done. So, that is how your pasta should be boiled. If you like your pasta well cooked, then you can do that too. Nothing is really wrong. A lot of us Indians like properly cooked pasta.
- Then boil it further for 2-3 minutes. Once your pasta is boiled, take it out into a strainer & strain it. If you are going to use the pasta a little later in time, then add some oil & mix it.
- Reserve the pasta water, don't discard it. Transfer hot pasta to a bowl. Now, as per your requirement grate & add parmesan cheese. Along with that add the basil pesto that we made earlier & now stir it nicely.
- While stirring, if you feel that it is slightly dry, then add some pasta water into it. This is why we had reserved the pasta water. Stir it nicely to coat this pesto properly to the pasta.
- Once you have done this process, then taste it & season it as per your taste. Add some salt if needed & stir it again & our Pesto Pasta is ready.
Video
Notes
- Use fresh ingredients: Fresh basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and garlic will give your pesto pasta the best flavor.
- Toast the pine nuts: Toasting the pine nuts before adding them to the pesto can give the dish a deeper, more complex flavor.
- Use a food processor: Using a food processor to make the pesto can give it a smoother, more consistent texture.
- Add extra olive oil: If your pesto is too thick, you can add a little extra olive oil to thin it out and make it easier to mix with the pasta.
- Reserve some pasta water: Before draining your pasta, reserve some of pasta water. Use it to adjust the consistency of the pesto sauce.
- Add some Protein: you can add some chicken, shrimp or even some beans to your pesto pasta to make it a complete meal.
- Experiment with different types of pasta: Pesto pasta can be made with different types of pasta like fettuccine, spaghetti, or penne.
- Mix it with roasted vegetables: Mixing roasted vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or tomatoes can add a burst of color and flavor to your pesto pasta.
- Linguine: This long, flat pasta is similar to spaghetti but with a slightly wider shape. It's perfect for holding onto the pesto sauce, making every bite flavorful.
- Fusilli: These spiraled pasta are great at trapping the sauce in its crevices, making it a perfect choice for pesto.
- Penne: The ridges on this short, tube-shaped pasta are great at holding onto the pesto sauce, making it a great option as well.
- Farfalle: This pasta is also known as bow-tie pasta, and it's shape works well in the pesto sauce.
1. Is Pesto Pasta Fattening?
ANS: Pesto pasta can be high in calories and fat, as it is typically made with ingredients such as olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and pine nuts. However, the calorie and fat content can vary depending on the recipe and the portion size. Using whole wheat pasta, reducing the amount of cheese and oil used, and adding vegetables to the dish can help make it a healthier option. It’s important to keep in mind that a balanced diet that includes a variety of foods in moderate amounts is the key to a healthy lifestyle, rather than avoiding specific foods or food groups.
2. Is pesto pasta vegan?
ANS: Traditional pesto pasta is not vegan as it contains Parmesan cheese and pine nuts, which are animal-derived products. However, it is possible to make a vegan version of pesto pasta by substituting the Parmesan cheese with a vegan alternative such as nutritional yeast, and using a plant-based oil instead of pine nuts. There are also many recipe variations of vegan pesto pasta that uses different ingredients such as basil, garlic, olive oil, and avocado, or even sun-dried tomatoes, and walnuts. These vegan alternatives can provide the same bold, flavorful taste as the traditional pesto.
