Basil Pasta

Bright, fresh, and irresistibly flavorful, this Basil Pasta recipe is a celebration of simple, wholesome ingredients and classic Italian techniques. Featuring tender spaghetti coated in a velvety basil pesto made from fresh basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and extra virgin olive oil, this dish is a perfect balance of nuttiness and herbaceous goodness. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s the ultimate quick yet elegant meal for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining. The recipe includes a clever trick of using pasta water to create a luxuriously creamy sauce that clings to every strand. Serve it warm with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan for a restaurant-quality experience in your own kitchen. Ideal for pesto lovers, vegetarian meals, and pasta enthusiasts alike, this Basil Pasta will quickly become a favorite go-to dish.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 grams spaghetti pasta
• 50 grams fresh basil leaves
• 2 whole garlic cloves
• 30 grams pine nuts
• 50 grams Parmesan cheese
• 100 milliliters extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0 water

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 1 teaspoon of salt.

Step 2

Add the spaghetti pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes.

Step 3

While the pasta is cooking, prepare the basil sauce. In a food processor, combine the fresh basil leaves, peeled garlic cloves, and pine nuts.

Step 4

Pulse the ingredients until finely chopped.

Step 5

Add the Parmesan cheese and pulse again to combine.

Step 6

Gradually stream in the olive oil while the processor is running until a smooth paste forms. Scrape down the sides as needed.

Step 7

Season the basil sauce with salt and black pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning if necessary.

Step 8

Once the pasta is cooked, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water and then drain the pasta in a colander.

Step 9

Return the drained pasta to the pot, and add the basil sauce.

Step 10

Toss the pasta and sauce together over low heat, gradually adding the reserved pasta water as needed to achieve the desired sauce consistency.

Step 11

Continue tossing until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce and heated through.

Step 12

Serve the basil pasta immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	883.1 grams (883.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2659

Total Fat 135.70g	174%
Saturated Fat 23.80g	119%
Polyunsaturated Fat 10.20g
Cholesterol 45mg	15%
Sodium 2691mg	117%
Total Carbohydrate 310.50g	113%
Dietary Fiber 18.00g	64%
Total Sugars 15.40g
Protein 72.70g	145%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 633mg	49%
Iron 18mg	102%
Potassium 1310mg	28%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 44.3%

Protein: 10.6%

Carbs: 45.1%