![](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Creamy-Pesto-Pasta.jpg)
Pesto Pasta
Your new go-to summer time dinner: Pesto Pasta! Colourful pesto tangled with entire wheat noodles, a handful of Parmesan, and no matter additions you please (tomatoes! spinach! rooster!) this can be a recent, fuss-free dinner to consume and repeat.
![Spinach pesto pasta with tomatoes](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Creamy-Pesto-Pasta.jpg)
Why You’ll Love This Simple Pesto Pasta Recipe
- Pesto Pasta Is Summertime Bliss. From Grilled Pesto Rooster Skewers to Pesto Pasta Salad, we revel in scrumptious pesto recipes all summer time lengthy. In the case of pesto’s easiest calling, on the other hand, a recent batch of pasta (or this Rooster Pesto Pasta) is darn close to inconceivable to overcome.
- It’s Simple But Spectacular. That is the most efficient pesto pasta recipe for a very easy weeknight meal or a chic dinner birthday celebration. It’s easy to make and in a position in underneath half-hour, however it delivers majorly crowd-pleasing taste.
- Flexible. Experience it as-is, or most sensible it with Air Fryer Rooster Breast, Grilled Shrimp Seasoning, or a vegetarian protein like white beans or plant-based sausage.
![Easy pesto pasta using a homemade pesto recipe](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Pesto-Pasta-with-Tomatoes.jpg)
Easy methods to Make Pesto Pasta
The Elements
- Entire Wheat Pasta. The most productive pasta shapes for pesto are lengthy noodles, corresponding to spaghetti, bucatini, capellini, or fettuccine. Quick shapes like fusilli and rotini also are nice, as they’ll catch the sauce of their ridges.
- Tomatoes. Pesto pasta with tomatoes is actually delicious! The beauty of the tomatoes pairs splendidly with the nutty, creamy pesto sauce.
- Pesto. Cross with a vintage basil pesto, or check out a distinct pesto you revel in for this recipe. I like making my very own Basil Pesto on every occasion conceivable, however store-bought additionally works.
- Lemon Juice. For brightness, stability, and acidity.
- Purple Pepper Flakes. Provides a marginally of warmth. Should you desire much less spice, you’ll be able to disregard them.
- Vegetables. Sneak more vegetables into your pasta via including some arugula or spinach.
- Pine Nuts. A completing sprinkle of toasted pine nuts provides texture and makes this dish entire.
- Parmesan. Whilst Parmesan is easiest, if you wish to have to switch it for every other cheese, you might want to check out Asiago or Pecorino Romano. Be aware that Pecorino is saltier, so that you will have to upload much less.
The Instructions
- Cook dinner the Pasta. Reserve some pasta water.
![Tomatoes in a skillet](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/How-to-Make-Pesto-Pasta-10.jpg)
- Cook dinner the Tomatoes. Cook dinner till they’re starting to burst.
![Noodles and tomatoes in a skillet](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/How-to-Make-Pesto-Pasta-11.jpg)
- Drain the Pasta. Upload it to the tomatoes.
![Sauce being added to a skillet of noodles and tomatoes](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/How-to-Make-Pesto-Pasta-12.jpg)
- Stir within the Pesto. Toss with the juice, salt, and purple pepper flakes till lined. Upload reserved pasta water as desired.
![Spinach being added to a pan of pasta](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/How-to-Make-Pesto-Pasta-13.jpg)
- Upload the Arugula. Stir till it wilts.
![A pot with noodles and vegetables](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Pesto-Pasta-Web-15-horizontal.jpg)
- Upload Pine Nuts and Parmesan. Experience!
Recipe Diversifications
- Make It Creamy. To make creamy pesto pasta, upload avocado like this Avocado Pesto or Greek yogurt just like the basil pesto from The Smartly Plated Cookbook.
- Veganize It. To make this recipe vegan, switch the Parmesan for dietary yeast.
- Upload a Protein. Seafood is going smartly with pesto pasta; check out Pan Seared Salmon or Air Fryer Shrimp. Grilled Rooster Tenders would even be delish!
- Bulk It Up With Further Veggies. Combine Sautéed Mushrooms, Roasted Purple Peppers, or Grilled Eggplant into your pasta.
![How to make pesto pasta from a jar of pesto or homemade](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Pesto-Pasta-Recipe.jpg)
What to Serve with Pesto Pasta
- Salad. A easy salad like my Arugula Salad could be tasty with this recipe.
- Bread. A slice of bread is going so smartly with pesto pasta. Check out Rosemary Olive Oil Bread or No Knead Focaccia.
- Veggies. This Sautéed Zucchini Recipe is delicious paired with this pasta.
- Meatballs. Turkey Meatballs or Rooster Meatballs could be best possible!
Recipe Pointers and Methods
- Pasta Water Is Your Pal. When seeking to create the very best consistency for our sauce, the usage of pasta water is vital. No longer simplest does it assist skinny the sauce, however the starches within the water additionally assist it hang to the noodles.
- Don’t Burn the Pine Nuts! If you make a decision so as to add the not obligatory pine nuts, it’s crucial that you simply watch them continuously. It simplest takes a minute for them to move from delightfully toasted to scorched.
- Grate Your Personal Cheese. I will be able to’t over-stress the significance of grating your individual cheese. Please skip the lackluster inexperienced can and pick out up some real-deal Parmesan cheese!
- Skip Warming the Leftovers. Flip leftovers right into a delicious pesto pasta salad. Toss in more vegetables or revel in it as is.
![A bowl of the best pesto pasta with tomatoes and cheese](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Pesto-Pasta-Recipe-Easy.jpg)
![Spinach pesto pasta with tomatoes](https://www.wellplated.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Creamy-Pesto-Pasta-268x268.jpg)
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Pesto Pasta
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Elements
- 8 oz entire wheat spaghetti pasta or fettuccini or every other lengthy pasta, which matches smartly for pesto
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
- ½ to ⅔ cup Basil Pesto or ready pesto of selection
- 1 to two tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt plus further to style
- ⅛ teaspoon purple pepper flakes not obligatory
- 2 cups arugula or spinach
- 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts* not obligatory for serving
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Directions
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Cook dinner the pasta to al dente in keeping with package deal directions. RESERVE 3/4 CUP OF THE PASTA WATER.
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In the meantime, warmth the oil in a big sauté pan over medium-high warmth. Upload the cherry tomatoes and cook dinner till starting to burst, about 4 mins.
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As quickly because the pasta is done cooking (don’t omit to order 3/4 cup of the water), drain it, then right away upload the pasta to the skillet with the tomatoes.
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Upload the pesto, lemon juice, salt, and purple pepper flakes. Toss to coat the noodles with the pesto, including further pasta water as had to loosen the sauce.
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Upload the arugula, stirring till it wilts.
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Sprinkle with pine nuts and Parmesan. Style and regulate salt as desired. Serve right away, with further Parmesan.
Video
Notes
- *TO TOAST THE PINE NUTS: Position the nuts in a small, dry skillet. Toast over low warmth, shaking the pan continuously, till aromatic and toasted, about 4 mins. Straight away take away from the skillet.
- TO STORE: Refrigerate pesto pasta in an hermetic garage container for as much as 4 days.
- TO REHEAT: Rewarm leftovers in a skillet at the stovetop over medium-low warmth or within the microwave.
- TO FREEZE: Freeze pasta in an hermetic freezer-safe garage container for as much as 3 months. Let thaw in a single day within the fridge prior to reheating.