Bowtie Pasta with Pesto Sauce

Elevate your weeknight dinner with this vibrant and fresh Bowtie Pasta with Pesto Sauce, a quick and easy recipe bursting with flavor! Al dente bowtie pasta is tossed in a rich, homemade pesto made with fresh basil, creamy Parmesan, toasted pine nuts, aromatic garlic, and a hint of lemon for a bright finish. This no-fuss meal comes together in under 25 minutes, making it perfect for busy schedules or casual gatherings. The velvety sauce evenly coats each bowtie for the perfect balance of taste and texture, with the option to adjust thickness using reserved pasta water. Garnish with extra Parmesan and basil for a stunning presentation that tastes as good as it looks. Whether you're looking for a simple vegetarian main dish or a crowd-pleasing classic, this recipe delivers comfort and gourmet flair in every bite.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:12 mins

Total Time:22 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 ounces bowtie pasta
• 2 cups fresh basil leaves
• 0.25 cups pine nuts
• 2 medium garlic cloves
• 0.5 cups extra virgin olive oil
• 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, about 10-12 minutes.

Step 2

While the pasta is cooking, make the pesto sauce. In a food processor, combine the fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, and peeled garlic cloves. Pulse until finely chopped.

Step 3

With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture is smooth and emulsified.

Step 4

Add the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice to the pesto. Pulse again until well combined. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Step 5

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

Step 6

Return the drained pasta to the pot or a large mixing bowl. Add the pesto sauce to the pasta, thinning it with a small amount of reserved pasta water if necessary, until the sauce coats the pasta evenly.

Step 7

Toss the pasta gently to combine, ensuring each bowtie is well-coated with pesto.

Step 8

Serve the pasta immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	593.5 grams (593.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2593

Total Fat 153.50g	197%
Saturated Fat 25.70g	129%
Polyunsaturated Fat 11.50g
Cholesterol 40mg	13%
Sodium 1863mg	81%
Total Carbohydrate 265.20g	96%
Dietary Fiber 15.20g	54%
Total Sugars 13.70g
Protein 65.10g	130%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 515mg	40%
Iron 16mg	87%
Potassium 388mg	8%

*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: 51.1%

Protein: 9.6%

Carbs: 39.2%