Busy weeknights call for simple recipes that can be pulled together in a flash, and nothing’s simpler than a basic (but not boring!) pesto pasta that even a kid can make and clean up after too.
The Simple Pasta Recipe I Always Make with My Summer Pesto
Every summer when my garden is overflowing with basil, I get busy making jars of my favorite homemade basil pesto recipe.
I incorporate it into a variety of dishes, like my pesto chicken, pesto pasta salad, and arugula salad with pesto shrimp, Parmesan, and white beans.
This super simple pesto pasta with cherry tomatoes is one recipe I love having in my back pocket. It’s a total weeknight savior, for busy days when I need to get dinner on the table fast, but don’t want to think about cooking.
Enjoy!
Ingredient Notes
The full recipe, with amounts, can be found in the recipe card below.
Pasta
Pesto works for any shape of pasta, but typically long and thin or short and compact varieties are most familiar. I used the thicker bucatini here, but spaghetti, linguine, or any other long noodle works great.
Pesto
I made this simple pasta with the fresh basil pesto I always keep stashed in the freezer (freeze it in ice cube trays for easier measuring!). It’s made with tons of basil, toasted pine nuts, grated Parm, olive oil, and a squeeze of lemon.
For a different flavor profile, swap out the basil pesto for tomato pesto, kale pesto, or even arugula pesto.
Out of pine nuts or simply can’t afford them? Walnuts, Marcona almonds, and even pistachios are tasty alternatives.
Mix-Ins
Fresh cherry tomatoes add sweet juiciness to the pasta, but they can be subbed with roasted tomatoes (another summer fave), leftover grilled asparagus, parmesan zucchini, or any veggie you have on hand.
For a bump of protein, try adding crispy parmesan crusted chicken, garlicky shrimp, grilled salmon.
How to Make Pasta with Pesto
- Cook your pasta 1 minute shy of the package instructions. You want it to retain some chewiness; soft, mushy pasta is a no-no.
Heidi’s Tip: Reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. This is the secret ingredient that helps the pesto cling to the pasta and prevents the dish from being dry.
- Make the pesto. This is such an easy recipe that comes together in about 5 minutes thanks to your food processor. Be sure to pulse your food processor or blender when chopping the herbs. This will keep it a fresh green color rather than a murky, bottom-of-the-pond color.
- Toss and season. For restaurant-quality presentation, you want to toss the hot pasta with the pesto in a large mixing bowl. Add the reserved pasta water ¼ cup at a time until the pasta is nice and saucy.
- Top with cherry tomatoes and Parmesan. I use my microplane to grate the Parm right over the pasta.
What to Serve With Pesto Pasta
Pesto pasta can certainly make a meal on its own, but it also comes together quickly as an easy side dish. Here are a few main meal ideas to cozy it up next to.
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #foodiecrusheats.
Homemade Pesto Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound bucatini , spaghetti or other favorite noodle
- 1 garlic cloves
- ½ cup toasted pine nuts
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves , washed and stemmed and finely packed
- ½ cup olive oil
- ½ cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese plus more for garnish
- ½ lemon , juiced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- fresh ground black pepper
- Cherry tomatoes
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti or other pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions or until al dente. Drain the pasta and reserve 1 cup of the cooking water.
- While pasta is cooking, add the roughly chopped garlic, toasted pine nuts, and finely grated parmesan cheese to a food processor and process until smooth. Then, add in the basil. Pulse a few times until chopped then let it run as you drizzle the olive oil into the processor as it runs until emulsified. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, give a squeeze of lemon juice, and whiz again until combined. Taste for seasoning and adjust to your liking.
- Toss the hot pasta with the pesto in a large bowl and add reserved pasta water ¼ cup at a time or until saucy. Top with the cherry tomatoes and season with more salt and pepper if desired and garnish with more parmesan cheese.
Nutrition
More Quick Pasta Dinners
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Brenda H.
The pesto pasta was a culinary delight! The pasta was perfectly al dente, and the pesto sauce was bursting with flavor, a harmonious blend of fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese. The addition of sun-dried tomatoes and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan on top added an extra layer of deliciousness. It was a delightful dish that left my taste buds singing with joy. I highly recommend trying this amazing pesto pasta.
Thanks Brenda, I’m glad you enjoyed it and added some extra ingredients to make it your own.
Folien
It´s looks very yummy. Thanks vor the good work.
Avneet
The recipe is great. The pesto turned out great! I used two Garlic cloves. Thanks so much for the recipe!
Murshid
Definelty gonna tell my wife to try this. my children is gonna love this.
Ashley @ Foodie Crush
Happy to hear that. I hope you all enjoy!
klebefolie
This was delicious! I just made it. My husband and I both loved it. Thanks for the recipe!
Rayyan
I love this recipe, so delicious!