Pesto Pasta | Easy Basil Pesto Pasta

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This Pesto Pasta Recipe will show you how to make a delicious pasta with homemade basil pesto sauce from scratch. Even though this recipe is for pesto pasta, but you can use this flavorful pesto sauce on pizza, toast or as a spread on your favorite veggie sandwich or even grilled cheese.

pesto pasta served in a white bowl topped with some grated parmesan on a dark brown wooden tray

About the Recipe

Pesto sauce is one of my favorite green sauces and this simple, homemade version is delicious. I love making homemade pesto to use on pasta and pizza as it is so much more fresh and flavorful than store-bought pesto sauce. 

This vegetarian recipe includes fresh basil leaves, garlic, almonds and parmesan cheese. For a vegan version, simply skip the parmesan cheese garnish.

Making pesto sauce from scratch may seem like a lot of work, but it is actually quite simple. This recipe will show you how to lightly roast the almonds to bring out the flavor before grinding them.

It will also go over how to crush the basil leaves while adding just the right amount of oil for the perfect sauce consistency.

Follow the steps below and you will have a tasty homemade pesto sauce for a nice flavorful pasta dish your whole family will enjoy.

Ingredients you need

  1. Almonds: Typically pesto sauce is made with pine nuts, however in this recipe I have replaced pine nuts with almonds. You can also use cashews or pistachios instead of pine nuts. 
  2. Basil: Fresh basil is one of the most important ingredient that gives a lovely herby aroma and flavor to the sauce.
  3. Extra virgin olive oil: Do not skip on this one and do not use any other oil. Do use a good quality extra virgin olive oil.
  4. No parmesan cheese in the sauce: Pesto also usually has parmesan cheese mixed into the sauce, but I added it as a garnish on the pesto pasta instead. This means it can be left off for a dairy-free dish and also means the sauce itself is dairy-free and so can be used in any of your vegan dishes.
  5. Pasta: You can use pasta like fusilli, spaghetti, farfalle, rigatoni or macaroni to make this recipe. I used a mix of fusilli pasta and macaroni pasta. For a healthier dish, use whole wheat pasta if possible.
Step-by-Step Guide

How to make Pesto Pasta

To prepare pesto sauce:

1. Heat a pan and place ¼ cup almonds on it. Keep the heat to a low.

almonds added in a skillet for roasting

2. Lightly toast the almonds stirring often for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the lightly toasted almonds from the pan and place them on a separate plate and let them cool at room temperature.

almonds lightly roasted

3. Then place the almonds in a food processor or food chopper or a small to medium grinder jar. I have used a food chopper.

lightly roasted almonds added in food chopper

4. Process the almonds to a coarse texture.

almonds being crushed in the food chopper

5. Rinse 2 cups (50 grams) of basil leaves. Then place leaves in a colander or strainer to dry naturally or you can use a salad spinner to dry them quicker. Add the basil leaves to the food chopper. Also add 2 small to medium garlic cloves. Optionally you can also add 4 to 5 whole black peppers. Sprinkle ⅛ teaspoon salt or add as required.

fresh basil leaves, garlic and salt added in the food chopper

6. Process or crush the basil leaves while adding olive oil in parts from the top. Add a total of ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil. In case you add extra virgin olive oil directly to the jar, then add in parts and process.

extra virgin olive oil being added in parts

7. Blend to a semi fine or fine consistency. You can blend to a smooth or chunkier sauce according to your preferences. You can also add a few drops of lemon juice to preserve the green color.

Use a spatula to remove the pesto from the sides and bottom of the food processor, food chopper or grinder jar. Place it in a mixing bowl or pan. Cover and set aside. 

pesto sauce blended in the food chopper

Making pesto pasta

8. Bring 5 to 6 cups water to a boil on a medium to high flame. Add 1 teaspoon salt or as required to the water.

boiling water with salt for pasta in a steel pan

9. When the water comes to a boil, then add 2 cups fusilli or macaroni pasta (200 grams).

pasta added in the boiling water

10. Cook the pasta until it is al dente. Or, if you prefer, cook pasta until it is completely done. With a slotted spoon, remove the pasta from the pan. Drain it very well.

pasta cooked and being removed with a strainer

11. Add the cooked pasta in a mixing bowl.

cooked pasta added to the bowl containing the basil pesto sauce

12. Add all of the prepared pesto sauce and mix very well. If you want you can add some lemon juice, or crushed black pepper or extra virgin olive oil at this point.

pasta mixed with the pesto sauce

14. Serve pesto pasta garnished with some vegetarian parmesan cheese. You can also garnish with cheddar cheese or vegan cheese. Garnish is optional. Pesto pasta can be served warm or at room temperature.

pesto pasta served in a white bowl topped with some grated parmesan on a dark brown wooden tray with a background of potted fresh green basil leaves

Pesto Pasta – Tips & Variations

  • Freshness of Basil: Use fresh basil in the recipe. Avoid dry or wilted leaves.
  • Nuts: You could replace almonds with pine nuts, walnuts, cashews or pistachios.
  • Scaling: This pesto recipe is for 2 cup of dried pasta, but you can easily double or triple the sauce recipe to have it for a larger serving of pasta or pizzas, or just to have in the fridge for when you need to add some extra flavor to your sandwich or toast. 
  • Adding Vegetables: If you are looking for added nutrition or a heartier dish, feel free to add some mixed veggies to the pasta and sauce. Simply steam or boil some vegetables and toss them with the finished pasta and sauce. Or sauté some onions and veggies and then add the pasta and pesto and mix together until everything is coated with the sauce.

More Delicious Pasta Recipes

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pesto pasta served in a white bowl topped with some grated parmesan on a dark brown wooden tray

Pesto Pasta | Easy Basil Pesto Pasta

Pesto Pasta is a delicious, easy recipe made with cooked pasta and a homemade green basil pesto sauce.
5 from 11 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Cuisine Italian, World
Course Brunch, Snacks
Diet Vegan, Vegetarian
Difficulty Level Easy
Servings 3
Units

Ingredients

for the basil pesto sauce

  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves or 50 grams fresh basil leaves
  • ¼ cup almonds
  • cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves – small to medium-sized
  • 4 to 5 black peppercorns – optional
  • teaspoon salt or add as required

for cooking pasta

  • 2 cups fusilli pasta or macaroni, 200 grams – you can also use 200 grams of pasta like spaghetti or farfalle or rigatoni
  • 5 to 6 cups water or add as required
  • 1 teaspoon salt or add as required

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Heat a pan and add lightly toast almonds for 2 to 3 minutes on a low heat. Set aside in a tray or plate for the almonds to cool.
  • Rinse the basil leaves using a strainer or colander.
  • Spread them on a tray or a dry colander or strainer so that they dry naturally. You can use a salad spinner to dry the leaves.

Making basil pesto sauce

  • Once the almonds cool at room temperature, add them in a food processor or food chopper or a small to medium grinder jar.
  • Crush them coarsely.
  • Add the basil leaves which has been rinsed first and then dried naturally. Also add the garlic cloves. Optionally you can also whole black peppers. Season with salt.
  • Process or crush the leaves and from the top add olive oil in parts. If adding extra virgin olive oil directly in the jar, then add in parts and blend.
  • Grind to a semi fine or chunky consistency according to your preferences. You can also add a few drops of lemon juice to preserve the green color.
  • Remove the pesto in a mixing bowl or pan. Use a spatula to remove the pesto from the sides and bottom of the food processor, food chopper or grinder jar. Cover and keep aside.

Making pesto pasta

  • Bring water and salt to a boil on a medium to high flame.
  • When the water comes to a boil, then add the pasta.
  • Cook the pasta till they are al dente. Depending on your taste preferences, you can even cook them till they are completely done. 
  • With a slotted spoon take the pasta from the pan. Drain it very well.
  • Add the cooked pasta in a mixing bowl. Add all of the prepared pesto sauce.
  • Mix very well. If you want you can add some lemon juice or crushed black pepper or extra virgin olive oil.
  • Serve pesto pasta garnished with some vegetarian parmesan cheese or vegan cheese. Garnish is optional.

Notes

  • Basil: Use fresh basil in the recipe and avoid dry or wilted leaves. Basil can be substituted with some mint leaves or a mix of mint and cilantro. 
  • Nuts: Replace almonds with pine nuts, walnuts, cashews or pistachios.
  • Scaling: This pesto recipe is for 2 cup of dried pasta, but you can easily double or triple the sauce recipe and have it for a larger serving of pasta or pizzas, or just to have in the fridge for when you need to add some extra flavor to your sandwich or toast. 
  • Adding Vegetables: For added nutrition, feel free to add some mixed veggies to the pasta and sauce. Simply steam or boil or roast some vegetables and toss them with the finished pasta and sauce. 

Nutrition Info (Approximate Values)

Nutrition Facts
Pesto Pasta | Easy Basil Pesto Pasta
Amount Per Serving
Calories 517 Calories from Fat 279
% Daily Value*
Fat 31g48%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Sodium 897mg39%
Potassium 131mg4%
Carbohydrates 46g15%
Fiber 8g33%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 12g24%
Vitamin A 844IU17%
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) 1mg67%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 1mg59%
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 1mg5%
Vitamin B6 1mg50%
Vitamin C 4mg5%
Vitamin E 7mg47%
Vitamin K 81µg77%
Calcium 78mg8%
Vitamin B9 (Folate) 17µg4%
Iron 1mg6%
Magnesium 47mg12%
Phosphorus 67mg7%
Zinc 1mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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This recipe post from the archives (December 2016) has been republished and updated on 11 September 2020.

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Meet Dassana

Welcome to Dassana's Veg Recipes. I share vegetarian recipes from India & around the World. Having been cooking for decades and with a professional background in cooking & baking, I help you to make your cooking journey easier with my tried and tested recipes showcased with step by step photos & plenty of tips & suggestions.

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15 Comments

  1. I am big follower or your recipe. Can Tulsi be used – as what I know is basil and tulsi are different.5 stars

    1. Thanks. Do not add tulsi in the recipe. Both tulsi and basil are different.

  2. Tried this recipe…it tasted yumm.. very simple and steps..thank you for sharing awesome recipes.

  3. Tried this recipe today. Tastes yummy. My 12 year old loved it. Definitely healthier than the red sauce or white sauce recipe. Thanks a lot!5 stars

    1. thanks hema. red sauce when made with fresh tomatoes, fresh herbs and olive oil is healthy. white sauce, when made with wheat flour, is a better version than one made with all-purpose flour.

  4. awesome recipe, Ma’am!
    used homegrown basil leaves to make it…turned out very well!5 stars

    1. thanks radhika for the rating as well as the feedback on pesto pasta. even i had used homegrown basil leaves ????

  5. I just can’t thank you enough for your wonderful blog with amazing recipes…the amount of hard work u put in developing and sharing the recipe with us is so visible in all your recipes…although I have been following your blog for quite a while, felt guilty of not thanking you …and needless to say, this recipe turned out awesome..God bless…5 stars

    1. Welcome Meena. Thanks a lot for your appreciation and kind words. Glad to know that you are liking the recipes shared on blog.

  6. Just one thing: “al dente” does not mean completely cooked. It will not be fully soft, the proper al dente pasta has a little bit of firmness left in it. A bit of “bite”! That’s the authentic way of cooking it–not til it is totally soft. 🙂

    Nice idea to use almonds.

    1. i know. i should have used the word ‘and’ instead of ‘or’. i meant that depending on personal taste preferences, the pasta can be cooked al dente or till they are completely cooked. will change the line so that there is no confusion. thanks.

  7. your recipes are just awesome.. i tired some of them.. the way you describe recipes with pictures.. just awesome.. i love it.. ?