Easy Homemade Pesto Pasta Recipe

This pesto pasta recipe is an easy, fresh & delicious dinner ready in 15 minutes! Pasta & pesto is made with the best, 5-minute pesto sauce and is a family favorite!

📝 Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh basil
• 6 Tablespoons pine nuts ((toasted))
• 4-5 Tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 ½ Tablespoon minced garlic
• ½ cup parmesan cheese
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
• ⅛ teaspoon pepper
• Salted Water
• 16 ounces bucatini spaghetti ((or your preferred pasta))
• 2 Tablespoons toasted pine nuts
• Baby tomatoes, fresh basil, parmesan cheese, etc. ((optional garnishes))

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1--- Cook Pasta ---
2. 2Cook pasta according to package instructions, be sure to use salted water.
3. 3Drain (do not rinse), return to warm pot, cover with a lid and set aside.
4. 4--- Make the Pesto Sauce ---
5. 5Heat pine nuts in a small sauté pan over medium-low heat, stirring often until they are browned (4 to 5 minutes). Watch them closely.
6. 6Transfer the pine nuts to a bowl to cool. You will use ¼ cup (4 Tablespoons) of nuts in the sauce, and reserve 2 Tablespoons roasted pine nuts for serving over the finished pasta.
7. 7Put olive oil and basil leaves into the container of a blender or food processor.. Blend or process for about 60 seconds until the ingredients are combined but not totally smooth. You may need to pause, scrape down the sides, and then continue blending.
8. 8Add ¼ cup pine nuts, garlic, lemon juice, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper and blend or process until you reach your desired consistency (about 30-60 seconds). You may need to pause, scrape down the sides, and then continue blending.
9. 9Taste and adjust salt and pepper as desired, pulse to combine.
10. 10--- Assemble & Serve ---
11. 11Add the pesto sauce to the warm pasta in the pot and stir to combine.
12. 12Transfer the pesto pasta to a serving dish.
13. 13Garnish with remaining toasted pine nuts, parmesan cheese, chopped fresh basil and if desired some fresh tomatoes (cooked or raw).
14. 14Serve warm or transfer to the refrigerator to chill and serve cold.