Description
A quick and fresh Pasta al Pesto recipe featuring linguine tossed in a vibrant homemade basil pesto made with sunflower seeds, Parmesan, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. This delicious and easy pasta dish can be prepared in just 15 minutes, perfect for a flavorful weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 300 g Linguine, uncooked (or your favorite pasta)
Pesto
- 50 g Sunflower Seeds (or other nut or seed, approx. ½ cup)
- 2 Garlic Cloves
- 30 g Parmesan (approx. ¼ cup, grated)
- 2 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 50 g Olive Oil (approx. ¼ cup)
- 80 g Fresh Basil (about 2 cups packed)
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the linguine according to the package instructions until al dente, usually 7-10 minutes.
- Prepare the pesto: While the pasta is cooking, combine sunflower seeds, fresh basil, garlic cloves, grated Parmesan, olive oil, lemon juice, and salt in a food processor. Blend until smooth, adding small amounts of water or more olive oil to achieve a silky, spreadable consistency.
- Drain pasta: Once cooked, drain the pasta, reserving about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water to adjust the sauce.
- Toss pasta with pesto: Return pasta to the pot or a large bowl and add the prepared pesto. Mix well, adding a splash of reserved pasta water as needed to create a smooth, silky sauce that evenly coats the pasta. Optionally incorporate cooked vegetables or protein at this point.
- Serve: Plate the pasta immediately, garnishing with extra grated Parmesan or fresh herbs if desired for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- You can substitute sunflower seeds with pine nuts, walnuts, or cashews depending on your preference.
- For a dairy-free version, omit Parmesan or use a vegan cheese alternative.
- Add cooked vegetables such as cherry tomatoes, spinach, or peas for extra nutrition and texture.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency perfectly without diluting flavor.
- Serve immediately for best taste and texture as pesto can darken if stored too long with pasta.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
