Pesto Pasta 🌿🧄🧀🍝 Herbaceous, Nutty, and Slicked With Bold Green Goodness in Every Twirl

This is pasta at its greenest — a vibrant pesto whipped from fresh basil, garlic, and cheese, tossed with tender noodles and finished with starchy water for that perfect silky coating. It’s fast, fragrant, and makes basil the star.

Serve it solo, or bulk it out with shrimp, chicken, or roasted veggies. Leftovers make killer cold pasta salad.

Ingredients (Serves 2–3)

For the pasta

• 8 oz pasta (spaghetti, penne, fusilli, or your favorite)
• Salted water for boiling

For the pesto

• 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
• 2 cloves garlic
• ⅓ cup pine nuts (or walnuts/almonds for a twist)
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan or pecorino
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: squeeze of lemon juice for brightness

To finish

• Reserved pasta water (start with ¼ cup)
• More cheese and olive oil to top
• Optional: halved cherry tomatoes, arugula, or chili flakes

Instructions

Step 1: Boil the pasta
Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve at least ½ cup of pasta water, then drain.

Step 2: Make the pesto
In a food processor, blend basil, garlic, nuts, and cheese until roughly chopped. Stream in olive oil until smooth and creamy. Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice if using.

Step 3: Toss and emulsify
In a large bowl or skillet, combine hot drained pasta with pesto and a splash of reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously to coat — the sauce should cling and gloss the pasta. Add more water if needed to loosen.

Step 4: Finish and serve
Plate hot with extra Parmesan, a drizzle of olive oil, and any optional add-ins. Serve immediately.

Flavor Variations

• Swap basil for arugula, parsley, or kale
• Use sun-dried tomato pesto (pesto rosso) for a deeper flavor
• Stir in cooked chicken, grilled shrimp, or crispy pancetta
• Add sautéed zucchini, roasted peppers, or peas
• Blend in a spoonful of ricotta or mascarpone for creaminess

Pro Tips

• Use fresh, fragrant basil — avoid black or bruised leaves
• Toast the nuts for deeper flavor
• Don’t overblend — a bit of texture keeps it interesting
• Save your pasta water — it’s liquid gold for silky sauce
• Pesto darkens with heat — toss off the heat for a brighter green finish

Final Thoughts

Pesto Pasta is all about freshness, fat, and flavor — a fast, green classic that flexes to fit your plate. It’s elegant enough for a dinner party, simple enough for a Tuesday.

Buzz it. Toss it. Twirl it bright. 🌿🧄🧀🍝

🍝 Pasta Recipes Collection

Explore All Pasta Recipes – A complete noodle lover’s hub — creamy, meaty, veggie-packed, or refreshingly cold, these recipes have it all.

🧄 Classic & Comforting

• 🧄 Classic Pasta Recipes – Tried-and-true dishes like spaghetti, fettuccine, and timeless tomato-based favorites.
• 🍅 Simple Pasta Recipes – Minimal ingredients, maximum flavor — pasta perfection without the fuss.
• ⚡ Easy Pasta Recipes – Weeknight lifesavers that deliver rich flavor fast, with zero culinary stress.
• 🍽️ Pasta Dinner Recipes – Family-friendly pastas that satisfy any night of the week.

🧀 Sauce Styles

• 🥛 Creamy Pasta Recipes – Silky sauces made with cream, cheese, or both — pure comfort in a bowl.
• 🧈 Alfredo Pasta Recipes – Rich and buttery Alfredo sauce takes center stage in these indulgent dishes.
• 🥄 White Sauce Pasta Recipes – Mellow and smooth béchamel-based recipes that pair beautifully with chicken or veggies.
• 🍅 Red Sauce Pasta Recipes – Bright, bold tomato sauces — classic marinara, spicy arrabbiata, and more.
• 🌿 Pesto Pasta Recipes – Herbaceous and vibrant, these green-sauced dishes are perfect for warm-weather meals.

🍗 Protein-Packed Pastas

• 🐓 Chicken Pasta Recipes – Tender chicken meets creamy or tangy sauces — the perfect protein-pasta pairings.
• 🍤 Shrimp Pasta Recipes – Juicy shrimp with garlic butter, wine, or creamy sauces — quick and elegant.
• 🐟 Seafood Pasta Recipes – Scallops, crab, salmon, or mixed shellfish in rich and zesty sauces.
• 🐄 Ground Beef Pasta Recipes – Comforting classics like bolognese, skillet meals, and one-pot beefy favorites.
• 🌭 Sausage Pasta Recipes – Hearty and spiced — from Italian to spicy andouille, sausage elevates every bite.

🥗 Pasta Salads & Light Fare

• 🥗 Pasta Salad Recipes – Great for potlucks, picnics, or meal prep — versatile and crowd-pleasing.
• ❄️ Cold Pasta Salad Recipes – Crisp veggies and chilled noodles tossed with light vinaigrettes or creamy dressings.
• ⏱️ Easy Pasta Salad Recipes – Quick assembly, great texture — ideal for lunches and BBQs.
• 🥬 Healthy Pasta Recipes – Nourishing options made with whole grains, lean proteins, and fresh produce.