Walnut Pesto Pasta (Easy Basil Walnut Pesto Recipe)
Walnut pesto pasta is fresh, nutty, and ready in 20 minutes. This easy basil walnut pesto recipe uses simple ingredients like walnuts, basil, lemon, and Parmesan.
Equipment
- Food Processor
- Pasta Pot
Ingredients
- ½ lb pasta spaghetti, linguine, or fusilli
- ⅓ cup walnuts
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves packed
- ¼ cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano
- 2 cloves garlic
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- 1-3 tablespoons reserved pasta water as needed
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about ½ cup of the pasta water.
- Make the pesto: In a food processor, combine the walnuts, basil, Parmigiano Reggiano, garlic, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Pulse a few times until roughly chopped.
- Add the olive oil: With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the pesto becomes smooth and creamy.
- Combine with pasta: Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Add the pesto and toss to coat.
- Adjust the sauce: Add reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until the pesto loosens and evenly coats the pasta.
- Serve: Top with extra Parmigiano Reggiano and freshly cracked black pepper before serving.
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