A quick and vibrant pesto pasta recipe, perfect for a weeknight meal. Fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan, and olive oil create a delicious sauce.
Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water before draining.
While the pasta is cooking, combine the fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, and grated Parmesan cheese in a food processor.
Pulse until the ingredients are finely chopped. Gradually drizzle in the olive oil while the food processor is running, until the pesto is smooth and well combined.
Season the pesto with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
In a large bowl, toss the drained spaghetti with the pesto. Add a little of the reserved pasta water as needed to create a creamy sauce that coats the pasta evenly.
Serve immediately, optionally garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and pine nuts.
Notes
For a richer pesto, you can add a tablespoon of butter when tossing the pasta with the sauce.