Description
A simple and delicious pasta dish featuring fresh pesto and sweet cherry tomatoes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound pasta
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup pine nuts
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- While pasta cooks, combine basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and garlic in a food processor.
- Process until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed. Season with salt and pepper.
- In a large bowl, toss the cooked pasta with the pesto.
- Add the cherry tomatoes and toss gently.
- If the pasta seems dry, add a little reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- For a nut-free pesto, substitute sunflower seeds for pine nuts.
- Add grilled chicken or shrimp for a protein boost.
- A squeeze of lemon juice can brighten the flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: pesto pasta, cherry tomatoes, basil, pine nuts, Italian pasta, vegetarian meal