Pâtes au Pesto

Pâtes au Pesto is a delightful vegetarian dish that combines al dente pasta with a vibrant, homemade basil pesto. This simple yet flavorful recipe captures the essence of French cuisine with its fresh ingredients and aromatic herbs.

Ingredients

• Pasta (spaghetti or penne) - 200 grams
• Fresh basil leaves - 50 grams
• Parmesan cheese, grated - 30 grams
• Pine nuts - 30 grams
• Garlic - 1 clove
• Olive oil - 60 milliliters
• Salt - to taste
• Black pepper - to taste

Steps

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the pasta. Cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes.
2. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the pesto. In a food processor, combine the fresh basil leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and garlic. Pulse until the ingredients are finely chopped.
3. With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
4. Once the pasta is cooked, reserve 50 milliliters of pasta water and then drain the pasta.
5. In a large bowl, combine the drained pasta with the pesto. If the pesto is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water to reach the desired consistency.
6. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly with the pesto. Serve immediately, garnishing with extra Parmesan cheese and pine nuts if desired.

Nutrition

• Calories: 550
• Protein: 15 g
• Carbs: 70 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Cholesterol: 10 mg
• Total Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
• Water: 0.3 L

Health Benefits

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

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