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Flavorful Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta

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A quick and easy pasta dish featuring a vibrant sun-dried tomato pesto with toasted pine nuts, perfect for casual dinners or impressing guests.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)
  • 1 cup (150 g) sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil (drain but keep some oil)
  • 1/2 cup (60 g) fresh basil leaves, packed
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled
  • 1/4 cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/3 cup (45 g) pine nuts (reserve a handful for toasting)
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • A squeeze of fresh lemon juice
  • Optional: red pepper flakes
  • Optional: fresh spinach or arugula

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz (340 g) pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually 9-11 minutes). Reserve 1/2 cup (120 ml) pasta water before draining.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add 1/3 cup (45 g) pine nuts and toast, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant—about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat immediately to prevent burning. Set aside a tablespoon of toasted pine nuts for garnish.
  3. In a food processor, combine 1 cup (150 g) sun-dried tomatoes (drained), 1/2 cup (60 g) fresh basil leaves, 2 garlic cloves, 1/4 cup (25 g) grated Parmesan, and the toasted pine nuts (minus the reserved garnish). Pulse until coarsely chopped.
  4. With the processor running, slowly drizzle in 1/4 cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil until the mixture is smooth but still has some texture. If the pesto seems too thick, add a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
  5. Add salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to taste. Pulse a couple more times to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  6. Return the drained pasta to the pot or a large mixing bowl. Add the sun-dried tomato pesto and toss well to coat evenly. If needed, stir in a bit more pasta water to get a glossy, silky finish.
  7. Plate the pasta and sprinkle with the reserved toasted pine nuts for garnish. Optionally, add extra grated Parmesan on top before serving.

Notes

Toast pine nuts carefully over medium heat and stir constantly to avoid burning. Use reserved pasta water to loosen pesto if too thick. Pulse pesto ingredients until just combined for texture, avoid overblending. Fresh basil is preferred over dried for best flavor. Store leftover pesto in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and stir in olive oil before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: sun-dried tomato pesto, pasta recipe, pine nuts, easy dinner, quick pasta, vegetarian pasta, Italian pasta, pesto pasta

Find it online: https://sofiaspice.com/flavorful-sun-dried-tomato-pesto-pasta-recipe-easy-perfect-with-pine-nuts/