Perfectly Balanced Pasta with Pesto Sauce

Pasta with pesto sauce is a classic Italian dish that combines freshness and simplicity to create an absolute treat for your taste buds. Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight meal or a special dinner party, this pasta dish will definitely satisfy all cravings.

The base of the recipe involves a few simple ingredients such as fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and salt. The cooking time is approximately 25 minutes and serves four people generously. This dish can be made even more filling by adding cooked chicken or shrimp to it.

Ingredients

• 300 grams of pasta (penne, fusilli, or your preference)
• 1/4 cup of pine nuts
• 3 large cloves of garlic
• 3/4 cup of fresh basil leaves
• 5 tablespoons of olive oil
• 2 cups of grated Parmesan cheese (or a mix of Parmesan and Pecorino Romano)
• Salt to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.

Step 2: While the pasta is cooking, toast the pine nuts in a dry pan over medium heat for about two minutes or until they turn golden brown. Remove them from the pan and set aside.

Step 3: Once the garlic has been peeled, mince it finely using a garlic press or a microplane grater. If you don't have either of these tools at hand, slicing the cloves thinly on a cutting board can also do the trick.

Step 4: In another pan over medium heat, add one tablespoon of olive oil and sauté the garlic for about one minute until it becomes fragrant. Be careful not to let it burn or turn brown as this will impart an unpleasant bitterness to your dish.

Step 5: After the pasta is ready, reserve a cup of its cooking water before draining. Drain the rest of the pasta and return it to the pot. Add two tablespoons of olive oil to prevent any sticking during the following steps.

Assembling Pesto Sauce

Step 6: In a food processor, combine half of the basil leaves with the toasted pine nuts, garlic, and one tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese. Blend until smooth but not too pureed as you still want some texture.

Step 7: With the machine running, gradually pour in two tablespoons of olive oil through the feed tube while continuing to blend until it becomes a thick paste similar in consistency to that of mayonnaise.

Finalizing and Serving

Step 8: Add the remaining basil leaves, one tablespoon of olive oil, and half of the Parmesan cheese to the food processor. Blend once again until the ingredients are well combined but still have some leafy texture. Taste-test and adjust seasoning with salt if necessary.

Step 9: Pour the pesto sauce over the hot pasta and toss together gently so that each strand of pasta gets coated evenly with the rich green sauce. If needed, use some of the reserved pasta water to achieve the desired consistency – it should be creamy yet not too soupy.

Step 10: Serve immediately accompanied by a side salad if you wish for your meal to have more balance or additional vegetables like roasted broccoli or sautéed spinach. This dish is also delicious served hot or at room temperature; leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and enjoyed over the next couple of days.

Enjoy!

Cooking Pasta with Pesto Sauce not only provides you with a delightful meal but also gives you the satisfaction of creating a dish that showcases your culinary skills. Feel free to experiment with different types of pasta or add proteins for more substance, making it adaptable according to your preferences.

Conclusion

Pasta with pesto sauce remains a beloved staple among many households due to its simplicity and versatility. Its flavors are vibrant yet mellowed by the richness provided through each component of the recipe. By following these steps, you'll be able to create this classic Italian dish that will leave everyone at your table impressed.