Macarrão com Pesto de Manjericão

Macarrão com Pesto de Manjericão is a vibrant Brazilian pasta dish featuring a fresh basil pesto that brings a burst of flavor to the table. This vegetarian delight combines the earthy taste of basil with the richness of pine nuts and Parmesan cheese, perfect for a quick yet satisfying meal.

Ingredients

• Pasta (spaghetti or fusilli) - 200 grams
• Fresh basil leaves - 50 grams
• Pine nuts - 30 grams
• Parmesan cheese, grated - 40 grams
• Garlic cloves - 2, minced
• Olive oil - 100 ml
• Lemon juice - 1 tablespoon
• Salt - to taste
• Black pepper - to taste

Steps

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
2. While the pasta cooks, prepare the pesto by combining the basil leaves, pine nuts, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper in a food processor.
3. Pulse the food processor while gradually adding the olive oil until the mixture is smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed.
4. Once the pasta is cooked, reserve a cup of pasta water and drain the rest.
5. In a mixing bowl, combine the drained pasta with the pesto, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time until reaching your desired consistency.
6. Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary.
7. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.

Nutrition

• Calories: 650
• Protein: 20 g
• Carbs: 80 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Cholesterol: 20 mg
• Total Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
• Water: 0.5 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in antioxidants from fresh basil, which may help reduce inflammation.
• Provides healthy fats from olive oil and pine nuts, supporting heart health.

Tags