Pesto Pasta Recipe
This pesto pasta recipe is fresh, flavorful, and easy to make. It’s a quick, flavor-packed dinner perfect for busy weeknights!
Foto: Well Plated
Ingredients
- 8 ounces whole wheat spaghetti pasta or fettuccini (or another long pasta, which works well for pesto)
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1/2 to 2/3 cup Basil Pesto (or prepared pesto of choice)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (plus additional to taste)
- 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 cups arugula or spinach
- 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts* (optional for serving)
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
Steps
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Cook the pasta to al dente according to package instructions. RESERVE 3/4 CUP OF THE PASTA WATER.
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Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the cherry tomatoes and cook until beginning to burst, about 4 minutes.
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As soon as the pasta is finished cooking (don’t forget to reserve 3/4 cup of the water), drain it, then immediately add the pasta to the skillet with the tomatoes.
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Add the pesto, lemon juice, salt, and red pepper flakes. Toss to coat the noodles with the pesto, adding additional pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
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Add the arugula, stirring until it wilts.
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Sprinkle with pine nuts and Parmesan. Taste and adjust salt as desired. Serve immediately, with additional Parmesan.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Macronutrients
*DV = Daily Value based on a 2,000 calorie diet
💰 Cost Estimate
📋 Price Breakdown (20% ingredients detected)
| Ingredient | Amount | Unit Price | Subtotal |
|---|---|---|---|
| whole wheat spaghetti pasta or fettuccini | 8 ounces | - | - |
| extra-virgin olive oil | 1 tablespoon | - | - |
| pint cherry tomatoes | 1 | Rp 12.000/kg | Rp 1.200 |
| to 2/3 cup Basil Pesto | 0.5 | - | - |
| to 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice | 1 | - | - |
| kosher salt | 0.25 teaspoon | - | - |
| red pepper flakes | 0.125 teaspoon | - | - |
| arugula or spinach | 2 cups | Rp 16.000/kg | Rp 3.200 |
| toasted pine nuts* | 2 tablespoons | - | - |
| Freshly grated Parmesan cheese | - | - | - |
*Estimated market prices, may vary by region
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