Teresa's Recipes
Trenette al Pesto
Transport yourself to the sun-kissed hills of Liguria with Trenette al Pesto, a luscious Italian pasta dish that perfectly showcases the vibrant flavors of fresh basil, garlic, and pine nuts blended into a creamy pesto sauce. This dish, traditionally made with trenette, a flat, ribbon-like pasta similar to linguine, is a celebration of simplicity and freshness, making it a beloved staple of Italian cuisine. Enjoy it as a delightful main course or a savory side dish, and relish the delightful aroma of basil wafting through your kitchen.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Trenette pasta
- 2 cups, packed Fresh basil leaves
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 1/3 cup, toasted Pine nuts
- 1/2 cup, grated, plus more for serving Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup Extra virgin olive oil
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
Dietary Notes
- Servings: 4
- Dish Type: Main Course
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Calories: 550
- Fat: 35g
- Carbs: 50g
- Protein: 15g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Sugar: 2g
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the trenette pasta according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water.
- In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, garlic, toasted pine nuts, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Pulse until finely chopped.
- With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil until a smooth pesto sauce forms. If needed, adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper.
- In a large pan over medium heat, add a tablespoon of olive oil. Add the cooked trenette pasta and toss to coat.
- Pour the prepared pesto sauce over the pasta, adding a bit of the reserved pasta water to help thin the sauce if necessary. Toss until the pasta is well coated and heated through, about 2-3 minutes.
- Serve hot, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of black pepper if desired.
Tips
- For a nuttier flavor, try using walnuts instead of pine nuts.
- You can add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to the pesto for a bright, zesty kick.
- Trenette al Pesto pairs beautifully with a light salad or crusty Italian bread.