Pesto Pasta

 Ingredients:

For the Pesto:

  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup pine nuts or walnuts (toasted, if preferred)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese (optional)
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon (optional)

For the Pasta:

  • 12 ounces (about 340g) pasta of your choice (spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne work well)
  • Salt, for cooking pasta
  • Additional grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)

Instructions:

For the Pesto:

  1. Prepare the Basil:

    • Rinse the fresh basil leaves and pat them dry with paper towels.

  2. Blend the Ingredients:

    • In a food processor or blender, combine the fresh basil, grated Parmesan cheese, pine nuts or walnuts, and minced garlic.
    • Pulse until the mixture is coarsely chopped.

  3. Add the Olive Oil:

    • With the food processor or blender running, slowly drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil until the pesto reaches your desired consistency. You can make it smoother or chunkier, depending on your preference.

  4. Season and Optional Ingredients:

    • Season the pesto with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
    • If you prefer a more intense flavor, add the grated Pecorino Romano cheese and the juice of half a lemon. These ingredients are optional but can enhance the pesto's depth of flavor.

For the Pasta:

  1. Cook the Pasta:

    • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
    • Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until it's al dente.
    • Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.

  2. Toss with Pesto:

    • In a large bowl, combine the cooked and drained pasta with the freshly prepared pesto sauce.
    • Toss to coat the pasta evenly with the pesto.

  3. Adjust the Consistency:

    • If the pesto pasta seems too thick, you can add a bit of the reserved pasta cooking water to achieve your desired consistency.

  4. Serve:

    • Serve your pesto pasta hot, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Enjoy your homemade pesto pasta, a vibrant and flavorful dish that's perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion.

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