Pesto Pasta

This Pesto Pasta is a must have recipe for your easy dinner arsenal!

Pesto Pasta is a deliciously cheesy, garlicky and herbaceous meal with the option of roasted veggies!  It’s light, vibrant and comforting, brimming with peppery basil, nutty pine nuts, zingy garlic, rich olive oil, a kiss of lemon, and a crescendo of Parmesan cheese.  Best of all, this Pesto Pasta recipe is easy to whip up in less than 30 minutes and is extremely flexible – use almonds, arugula, walnuts, kale, etc. and add any protein.   Serve this Basil Pesto Pasta with garlic bread and Caesar salad for an easy fresh taste of summer!

We love everything pesto! For more must-have recipes using pesto, don’t miss: Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta, Pesto Pasta Salad, Creamy Pesto Chicken Skillet, Sheet Pan Parmesan Chicken and Vegetables, Crockpot Pesto Mashed Potatoes, and TikTok Feta Pasta.

HOW TO MAKE pesto pasta recipe VIDEo

showing how to make pesto pasta recipe by tossing pesto with linguine pasta


 
top view of pesto pasta in a bowl with roasted vegetables

Basil Pesto Pasta Ingredients 

This easy Pesto Pasta recipe features homemade basil pesto sauce bursting with the herbaceous freshness of basil, the pungent zing of garlic, the salty, nuttiness of the freshly grated Parmigiana Reggiano, a sunny lift of citrus from the lemon juice, all underscored by the sweet, nutty, toasted pine nuts and rich olive oil.  Toss in some pesto roasted vegetables, al dente pasta, and a dusting of freshly grated Parmesan and you won’t be able to put your fork down! Here’s what you’ll need to make this simple but delicious pasta recipe (full recipe measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post):

FOR THE PESTO

  • Fresh basil: Genovese basil is a type of sweet basil and is the most popular in Italy for pesto sauce. Genovese basil has smooth, bright green leaves and a floral, delicate aroma. Avoid basil plants with thick leaves with pronounced veins and brown spots, which will turn your pesto dark and stringy.
  • Parmesan cheese: For the best pesto, use real, freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano right off of the block and not any powdered or pre-shredded cheeses.  Parmigiano-Reggiano is Parmesan produced in Italy in one of the following areas: Bologna, Mantua, Modena, or Parma that has been aged for at least two years. In the U.S. you can still find tasty “Parmesan,” but it is not regulated, and typically only aged 10 months so it’s not as flavorful or complex.
  • Pine nuts: Use raw, unsalted pine nuts. Technically any pine nuts will work but if you can, spring for Italian or Mediterranean pine nuts. These are usually the Pinus Pinea variety, also known as the ‘Stone Pine’ and are noticeably sweeter without any metallic flavor or leaving you with “pine mouth.”  Italian pine nuts also break down into a creamier base for pesto.
  • Garlic: Look for plump and succulent fresh garlic from young heads for optimal pungent flavor. Use more or less to taste depending on how garlic forward you would like your pasta with pesto.  
  • Lemon juice: This is added to both the pesto and directly to the pasta to brighten and enliven the entire dish. Freshly squeezed is best but you may substitute bottled.
  • Olive oil: You can use extra virgin olive oil for a stronger flavor, regular for a milder flavor, or a blend of the two depending on your personal preference.
  • Salt and pepper: Everything needs to be seasoned with salt and pepper! You will likely need plenty of freshly cracked pepper to finish the dish.
showing how to make pesto pasta recipe by tossing pesto, pasta and roasted vegetables in a large bowl

FOR THE PASTA AND VEGETABLES

The vegetables are roasted with some of the homemade pesto, olive oil, salt and pepper.  You can use the below vegetables or mix and match your favs with similar roasting times, or omit the veggies altogether. 

  • Linguine: Follow the package instructions to cook your linguine just until al dente. You want your pasta to still have some bite to it! Salt the pasta water generously to flavor the pasta — it won’t taste salty, it will just be flavorful. 
  • Cherry tomatoes: Roasted cherry tomatoes become uber sweet and just burst in your mouth! Grape tomatoes may also be used, but note they can be less juicy and not as sweet. 
  • Asparagus: Look for medium asparagus, not super thin or super thick, so it cooks in the same time as the zucchini and tomatoes.
  • Zucchini: I like to cut my zucchini into half-moons about ½ inch thick so that they retain some texture after being roasted. Look for a zucchini that’s smaller in diameter; thick zucchini are often more fibrous and watery, whereas smaller zucchini are tender and more flavorful. 
  • Pine nuts: The best substitute for pine nuts is raw, unsalted cashews, but you may also use walnuts or almonds.
  • Basil: Pretty much any combination of leafy greens and herbs work in homemade pesto, so get creative and use up whatever you have on hand. Just note that the greens you use will affect the overall flavor.  
  • Veggies: You may roast any seasonal vegetables you’d like. Just keep in mind that different vegetables have different roasting times. I like mixing crisp-tender vegetables (asparagus and zucchini) with softer roasted vegetables (cherry tomatoes) to add lots of flavors and textures Pesto Pasta. 
  • Pesto: Since this is such a simple dish, I recommend making homemade pesto to coat the noodles and veggies, but your favorite store-bought pesto may also be used. You may need to use more or less.

How to Make Pesto Pasta

If you’ve never made homemade Pesto Pasta before, you’re in for a treat! You’ll be amazed at how quick and easy it is to make pesto pasta from scratch. The pesto itself doesn’t need to be cooked, so all you have to do is boil some pasta and roast a handful of veggies.  Let’s take a closer look at how to make it (full recipe in the recipe card at the bottom of the post):

Step 1: Roast the Vegetables  

  • Add the chopped veggies to baking sheet and toss with a little pesto, olive oil, salt and pepper. It will seem look like a lot of oil/pesto, but it will be mixed in with the pasta later for an extra flavorful sauce.
  • Spread the veggies out in a single layer once they’ve been seasoned and roast at 400ºF until the asparagus is crisp-tender. 
showing how to make pesto pasta recipe by roasting vegetables on a baking sheet

Step 2: Make the Basil Pesto Sauce 

  • Preheat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Do NOT add oil to the pan! 
  • Add the pine nuts and toast them just until golden in spots. Immediately remove from the skillet so they don’t continue to cook. Be careful; pine nuts can go from being perfectly golden to burnt in a matter of seconds. 
  • Add all the pesto ingredients except the olive oil to a food processor and then pulse to chop. 
  • With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until it is completely combined.
a collage showing how to make pesto pasta by 1) toasting pine nuts, 2) adding pine nuts, basil, garlic and basil to a food processor, 3) chopping the ingredients, 4) streaming in the olive oil

showing how to make pesto pasta recipe by processing pesto until smooth

Step 3: Cook the Pasta

  • Cook the pasta in salted water according to package directions. You want the pasta to be al dente, meaning it should still have some bite to it.  
  • Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before you drain the pasta.

Step 4: Assemble the Pesto Pasta

  • Add the drained pasta to a mixing bowl.  
  • Add the prepared pesto and additional lemon juice. 
  • Toss to coat pasta in pesto, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time if needed to make the pasta silky and saucy, rather than dry and sticky.  
  • Stir in the roasted vegetables.  
  • Serve immediately, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan.
showing how to make pesto pasta recipes by tossing pesto, pasta and vegetables together

Pesto Variations:

  • Use a different basil: Try a different variety of basil such as large leaf Italian basil, lemon basil, mint basil, Greek basil, etc. Each will affect the taste of the recipe in an exciting new way.
  • Swap in different greens: Swap some or all of the basil for other greens such as parsley, cilantro, mint, arugula, kale, spinach, etc., or play with a combination.
  • Add herbs: In addition to basil, try flavoring the pesto with marjoram, mint, thyme or oregano.
  • Swap in other cheese: Swap some of the Parmesan Reggiano for sharper, saltier, tangier, more pungent Pecorino Romano. You can even use Cotija cheese in combination with cilantro and pepitas.
  • Swap in other nuts: Swap the pine nuts for almonds, walnuts, pecans, cashews, or pistachios.
  • Make it nut free: Swap the pine nuts for pumpkin seeds, pepitas, hemp seeds, etc.
  • Punch up the flavor: Add anything to your pesto such as sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, jalapeños, red pepper flakes, anchovies, capers, olives, artichoke hearts, etc.  
  • Add some heat: I’m a big fan of adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to my Basil Pesto Pasta – yum! 
  • Make vegan pesto: Substitute the cheese with a non-dairy cheese or add 3 tablespoons of nutritional yeast. Nutritional yeast is nutty and cheesy.
showing how to make pesto pasta recipe by tossing pasta with pesto

pasta Variations:

  • Use more pesto: You may want to use more pesto depending on how strong you want the flavor.  Start with less then add more to taste.  
  • Use any veggies you like!  Just make sure the roasting times or similar.  You can also use sautéed vegetables, grilled vegetables or any leftover cooked vegetables.
  • Cheesy Pesto Pasta:  You can add additional cheese directly to the pasta after tossing it with the pesto.
  • Lemon Pesto Pasta:  Add additional lemon juice 1 tablespoon at a time for a brighter, lemon herb pasta.
  • Creamy Pesto Pasta: Instead of reserved pasta water, stir in heavy cream until the pasta reaches your desired consistency.
  • Pesto Pasta with sun-dried tomatoes: Add ¼ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes in oil for a zesty flavor profile.
  • Pesto Pasta with mozzarella: You can stir freshly shredded mozzarella directly into the pesto pasta or sprinkle it on top of the finished dish, cover and let it melt into a blanket of cheesy splendor.
  • Pesto Pasta with chicken: Season chopped chicken with salt, pepper and paprika pan sear until cooked through.
  • Pesto Pasta with sausage: Mild or hot ground Italian sausage would be amazing. You could also use turkey sausage or chicken sausage. 
  • Pesto Pasta with shrimp: Roasted shrimp or butter garlic shrimp would be fabulous.  Stir into the pasta after it’s done cooking.
  • Pesto Pasta with bacon: Sizzle up thick-cut bacon and add to the pasta at the very end of cooking.  
  • Pesto Pasta with spinach: Stir in 1 to 2 cups baby spinach at the end of cooking, cover and allow to wilt.
  • Spicy Pesto Pasta: Amp up the heat with 1/4-½ teaspoon red pepper flakes. You can also add red pepper flakes to individual servings to keep the pasta family friendly.
  • Gluten free Pesto Pasta: Use your favorite gluten free pasta. The rest of the ingredients are gluten free.
a bowls of pesto pasta with basil pesto

FAQs About Pesto & Pesto Pasta

What is pesto?  What is pesto made of? 

Classic Pesto is an uncooked basil cheese sauce or condiment made of fresh basil, Parmigiano Reggiano, pine nuts, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper– sometimes with some Pecorino as well. The ingredients are combined in a food processor then finely chopped to create a thick green sauce. 

Where is pesto from?   

Pesto originated in Genoa, Italy around the 16th century.  The name pesto comes from the Genoese word pestâ, which means to pound or to crush.  This refers to the original method of preparing pesto with a mortar and pestle. Today, pesto sauce is incredibly quick and easy to make in the food processor with countless variations. 

What does pesto pasta taste like? 

Basil pesto is bright, herby and peppery with a hint of anise from the basil, salty, nutty and rich from the Parmesan, buttery and nutty from the pine nuts, garlicky from the garlic with a pleasant rich, herby grassiness from the extra virgin olive oil.

Is pesto always basil? 

Classic basil pesto, Pesto Alla Genovese, is by far the most popular. In fact, whenever you see the word “pesto” on a restaurant menu or in a recipe without any clarification, it is unmistakably referring to basil pesto.  There are, however, thousands of variations of pesto sauce. Pesto can be made with any leafy green instead of basil such as parsley, arugula, kale or spinach, any nuts such as almonds, walnuts, cashews, or pistachios and additions such as lemon zest, sun-dried tomatoes and even ricotta. So, let your imagination run wild!

How long does pesto last? 

This basil pesto is made with natural, fresh ingredients so it needs to be stored in the refrigerator. It will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, but is freshest/best/most flavorful if used within the first 3 days. The oil will separate to the top after it has been sitting, so just give the homemade pesto a stir once ready to use.

How to keep pesto from turning brown? 

Browning is a natural process that occurs when the chopped basil is exposed to the air (oxidation). There are three ways to help prevent browning:
 
1. Limit the exposure to air by pressing plastic wrap directly on the surface of the pesto before sealing to store.
2. Pour a thin layer of olive oil on top of the pesto to cover its surface before sealing to store.
3. Blanch the basil leaves briefly before processing.  It locks in the bright green color of the leaves. To blanch the basil, dunk the basil leaves into boiling water for 5 to 10 seconds then submerge in ice water. Pat the leaves completely dry before making the pesto.
 
Note that you only need to use one of these tactics if you make the pesto in advance and store it separately before preparing the entire pasta dish! 

serving pesto pasta by twirling pesto pasta recipe on a fork

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Pesto Pasta

Pesto Pasta is a deliciously cheesy, garlicky and herbaceous meal with the option of roasted veggies!  It’s light, vibrant and comforting, brimming with peppery basil, nutty pine nuts, zingy garlic, rich olive oil, a kiss of lemon, and a crescendo of Parmesan cheese.  Best of all, this Pesto Pasta recipe is easy to whip up in less than 30 minutes and is extremely flexible – use almonds, arugula, walnuts, kale, etc. and add any protein.   Serve this Basil Pesto Pasta with garlic bread and Caesar salad for an easy fresh taste of summer!
Servings: 6 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes

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Ingredients

PASTA

PESTO

ROASTED VEGETABLES (OPTIONAL)

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 12 oz. pkg. cherry tomatoes
  • 1 small zucchini halved and sliced 1/2-inch thick
  • 1/2 bunch asparagus, ends trimmed, cut into 1” pieces
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  • Prep: Preheat oven to 400°F. Begin boiling the water for the pasta.
  • Pesto: Preheat a skillet over medium-high heat (without any oil). Add pine nuts and toast until golden in spots. Immediately transfer the nuts to a food processor so they don’t continue to cook.
  • Add the remaining pesto ingredients EXCEPT the olive oil (basil through pepper) to the food processor. Pulse until finely chopped.
  • With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until it is completely combined; set aside.
  • Roasted Vegetables: Add vegetables to a baking sheet lined with foil or a non-stick mat. Toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 tablespoons homemade pesto, ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. (There will be a generous amount of oil/pesto – this will transfer to the pasta later). Roast at 400 degrees F in a single layer for 12-15 minutes or until asparagus is crisp-tender.
  • Pasta: Meanwhile, cook pasta al dente in generously salted water according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before you drain the pasta.
  • Combine: Add drained pasta to a very large mixing bowl or cold pot, OFF HEAT along with all of the pesto, ¼ cup reserved pasta water and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Toss to coat the pasta. Stir in roasted vegetables and pan juices; toss again, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time if needed to make the pasta silky and saucy, rather than dry and sticky. You can also alternate the reserved pasta water with a drizzle of olive oil if you like. Taste, and season with additional salt, pepper and lemon juice if desired.
  • Serve immediately, garnished with plenty of freshly grated Parmigiana Reggiano, and freshly cracked pepper.

Video

Notes

Tips and Tricks

  • Watch the olive oil: Different olive oils have different flavors and strengths, even extra virgin olive oil, so choose what you like best.
  • Don’t over-process the olive oil or your pesto sauce will taste bitter: Extra virgin olive oil is super sensitive to mechanical agitation – as in a blender or a food processor.  Meaning, if you over-process the oil, its polyphenols can break away from the fatty acids causing oxidation which will make the pesto taste bitter. If you’re worried about this, you may stir the olive oil in by hand.
  • Cook the pasta in less water. I recommend cooking the pasta in a large Dutch oven so that it will fit the length of the dish, allowing you to use less water. This will make the water extra starchy, which creates the most luscious glossy, thick pesto sauce (see below).
  • Adjust the Pesto Pasta recipe to taste:  As with all recipes, it is important to make this recipe right for YOU, especially because pesto is made with living ingredients that will vary in brightness, saltiness, and overall intensity of flavor.  You may find you need extra Parmesan, an extra squeeze of lemon or loads of freshly cracked pepper.  So, prepare to be flexible!
  • Recipe variations: See post for lots of recipe variations such as making it creamy, adding chicken, using different nuts, etc.
  • Vegan Pesto Pasta: Substitute the cheese with a non-dairy cheese or add 3 tablespoons of nutritional yeast. Nutritional yeast is nutty and cheesy.
  • Gluten Free Pesto Pasta: Use your favorite gluten free pasta. The rest of the ingredients are gluten free.

Meal Prep

This Pesto Pasta recipe can be made completely in advance or you can prepare the individual ingredients ahead of time:
  • Pesto: Can be prepared and refrigerated for up to three days. It’s a fresh sauce, so it doesn’t have a long shelf life. 
  • Parmesan: Can be grated and stored in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use.
  • Veggies: Can be chopped or sliced, then stored in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to roast. I don’t recommend roasting the veggies and then assembling the pasta at a later date. Roast the veggies just before assembling the pasta for the best flavor and texture. 

How to store and reheat

Basil Pesto Pasta reheats like a dream in the microwave or on the stovetop. You may need to add a little olive oil and/or water if the pasta looks dry. 
  • Microwave: Microwave small portions for 1 minute, stir, then continue to heat at 30-second intervals until warmed through.
  • Stove: For larger portions, reheat pasta gently on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. 

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