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    Home » Pesto Pasta

    October 19, 2021

    Pesto Pasta

    Jump to Recipe
    two plates with pesto pasta, cherry tomatoes and basil leaves
    two plates with pesto pasta, cherry tomatoes and basil leaves

    This pesto pasta contains the most delicious homemade basil pesto! It's an easy and quick pasta recipe that you can serve as a main dish or side dish! 

    two plates with pesto spaghetti, cherry tomatoes and basil leaves

    Why you will love this recipe

    These are some of the reasons why you will love this dish:

    It is quick and easy to make: Seriously, this dish is ready to be eaten in less than 20 minutes! Are you in a rush and don't know what to cook for dinner, but you still want to keep it healthy? Then, this recipe is for you.

    It is made with homemade basil pesto: let's be honest, homemade pesto is so much better than store-bought! This homemade pesto is so easy to make. Throw all the ingredients into a food processor, blend everything, and you're done!

    It is a versatile pasta dish: This pasta recipe is so simple that it can be a base for a more elaborated pasta dish. That is, you can add more ingredients like vegetables, meat, or fish.

    two white plates with pesto pasta, basil leaves and cherry tomatoes. A pink plate with more basil. Basil leaves on top of the marble table

    What goes well in pesto pasta?

    Almost everything goes with this pesto pasta. These are some ingredients you can add or substitutions you can make:

    • Shrimps
    • Tuna fish
    • Chicken breast
    • Broccoli
    • Zucchini
    • Sweat peas
    • Mushrooms
    • Feta cheese
    • Mozzarella 

    How to make this recipe

    Start by cooking the pasta according to package instructions.

    While the pasta is cooking, add all the pesto ingredients into a food processor and blend until smooth. Then, heat a medium-sized pan over medium heat and drizzle a little olive oil. When the oil is hot, saute the garlic for 2 minutes or until softened.

    Next, add the cherry tomatoes, season with salt and pepper, and saute for 3 minutes. Stir often to prevent burning. When the pasta is ready, drain the pasta and add it to the pan. 

    Then add the pesto and combine everything. Serve garnished with basil leaves.

    a white plate with spaghetti, pesto, cherry tomatoes, basil leaves and a gold fork on the side

    Tips for making this recipe

    • Use your favorite type of pasta: We've used spaghetti to make this dish but feel free to use your favorite one. Fusilli and farfalle work great too.
    • Don't overcook the pasta: Good pasta is cooked to al dente! Keep an eye on it, and don't let it get too soft.
    • Freeze leftover pesto for other dishes: This homemade pesto freezes very well, and it is great to make different dishes like our pesto pizza! Freeze in ice cube trays and use small portions every time you need them. 
    • Add more ingredients to your pasta: As we've said before, this recipe works as a base for a more elaborated pasta dish. Add new ingredients or substitute the tomatoes with another vegetable.

    More pasta recipes

    • Mushroom Pasta
    • Creamy Tomato Pasta
    • Lentil Bolognese
    two plates with pesto spaghetti, cherry tomatoes and basil leaves

    If you tried this recipe, don't forget to tag me on Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook. Also, if you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment and a rating star below! Thank you for your support!

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    two plates with pesto spaghetti, cherry tomatoes and basil leaves

    Pesto Pasta

    • Author: Rita
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Cook Time: 10 minutes
    • Total Time: 15 minutes
    • Yield: 2 servings 1x
    • Category: Main
    • Method: Cook
    • Cuisine: American
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    Description

    This vegetarian pesto pasta dish is made with the easiest homemade pesto recipe! It's super delicious and will be ready in less than 20 minutes.


    Ingredients

    Scale

    Pesto Ingredients

    • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese (50 g)
    • 1.41 oz cashews (40 g)
    • 3.17 oz fresh basil (90 g)
    • 1 garlic clove
    • 5.30 oz olive oil (150 g)
    • 1 tsp lemon juice
    • ½ tsp salt

    Pasta Ingredients

    • 7 oz spaghetti or pasta of choice (200 g)
    • 1 tbsp olive oil
    • 2 garlic cloves, minced
    • ½ cup cherry tomatoes (100 g)
    • 1 pinch salt 
    • 1 pinch black pepper
    • 3 tbsp homemade pesto
    • Basil leaves to garnish (optional)

    Instructions

    1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions.
    2. While the pasta is cooking, add all the pesto ingredients into a food processor and blend until smooth.
    3. Then, heat a medium-sized pan over medium heat and drizzle a little olive oil.
    4. When the oil is hot, saute the garlic for 2 minutes or until softened.
    5. Next, add the cherry tomatoes, season with salt and pepper, and saute for 3 minutes. Stir often to prevent burning.
    6. When the pasta is ready, drain the pasta and add it to the pan. 
    7. Then add the pesto and combine everything. Serve garnished with basil leaves.

    Notes

    Use your favorite type of pasta: We've used spaghetti to make this dish but feel free to use your favorite one. Fusilli and farfalle work great too.

    Don't overcook the pasta: Good pasta is cooked to al dente! Keep an eye on it, and don't let it get too soft.

    Freeze leftover pesto for other dishes: This homemade pesto freezes very well, and it is great to make different dishes. Freeze in ice cube trays and use small portions every time you need them. 

    Add more ingredients to your pasta: As we've said before, this recipe works as a base for a more elaborated pasta dish. Add new ingredients or substitute the tomatoes with another vegetable.

    Make this recipe vegan: Make this recipe vegan by replacing parmesan cheese with vegan parmesan cheese.

    Keywords: pesto pasta, vegetarian pesto pasta recipe

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @cocoandcamellia on Instagram and hashtag it #cocoandcamellia — I can't wait to see what you've made!

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    Hi, I'm Rita! Welcome to Coco & Camellia! Here you'll find recipes for an 80-20 way of eating. That means 80% healthy meals and 20% for delicious treats! Because life is all about balance and we should always feel happy while eating.

    More about me →

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