Easy Juicy Pesto Pasta with Silky Basil Sauce

Name: Easy Juicy Pesto Pasta with Silky Basil Sauce
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 3
Ingredients: 325 g pasta of choice; 1 cup homemade pesto; 2 tsp salt; 3/4 cup pasta cooking water; 1/4 cup Parmesan, for serving; 1 pinch black pepper

Transform simple ingredients into a vibrant, restaurant-quality meal with this juicy pesto pasta. The secret lies in using starchy pasta water to create a luscious, silky sauce that perfectly coats every strand without becoming dry or sticky.

Servings3 Portions

Prep Time10 Mins

Cook Time10 Mins

Difficulty

Easy

Ingredients

pasta of choice
325 g
homemade pesto
1 cup
salt
2 tsp
pasta cooking water
0.8 cup
Parmesan, for serving
0.3 cup
black pepper
1 pinch

Step-by-Step Instructions

Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and season generously with salt.

Add your choice of pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.

Just before draining, carefully scoop out at least 1 cup of the starchy pasta cooking water and set it aside.

Drain the pasta in a colander and let it rest for about a minute to allow excess steam to escape.

Transfer the cooked pasta to a large mixing bowl. Avoid using the hot cooking pot, as the residual heat can cause the pesto to clump or lose its bright green color.

Add the pesto and 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water to the bowl. Toss vigorously to coat the pasta, gradually adding more water as needed until the sauce is silky and saucy rather than dry.