Pesto Spaghetti Recipes

PESTO SPAGHETTI

Steps:

• For pesto, combine the oil, parsley and seasonings in a blender; cover and process until blended. Cook spaghetti according to package directions; drain. , Transfer to a serving bowl. Add the walnuts, cheese and pesto; toss to coat.

SPAGHETTI PESTO

Steps:

• Start a pot of well salted water to a boil. Boil the pasta until it is just al dente (start tasting a few minutes before the package recommends: you want it to be tender but still a little firm on the inside; usually around 7 to 8 minutes). Just before draining, reserve 1 cup pasta water! Then drain the pasta.
• Place the pasta in a bowl (not the pasta pot). Stir together the pasta, pesto, and 1/2 cup pasta water, tossing with tongs until the pesto is well distributed and the pasta water forms a creamy sauce. Add more pasta water if desired. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt and taste. If the flavor doesn't pop, add a few more pinches until it does (the salt content in purchased pesto brands varies, as well as the amount of salt you used in the pasta water). Serve immediately.
• Store any leftovers refrigerated: note that pesto can get gummy when reheated, so it's best to eat leftovers cold or room temp.

SIMPLE PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil; cook the fettuccini at a boil until cooked through yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain. Transfer the fettuccini to a bowl.
• Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook the garlic and pesto in the melted butter until warmed, 2 to 3 minutes; pour over the fettuccini and toss to coat.

PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling water until done. Drain.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a frying pan over medium low heat. Add pesto, onion, and salt and pepper. Cook about five minutes, or until onions are soft.
• In a large bowl, mix pesto mixture into pasta. Stir in grated cheese. Serve.

SPAGHETTI WITH QUICK PESTO TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Set up your grill for cooking with direct and indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only.
• Make the tomato sauce: Combine the tomatoes along with their juices, butter, red pepper flakes, bay leaves, onion halves and a pinch of salt in a very large saucepan or skillet. Place over the indirect-heat side of the grill and bring to a simmer. Cook, uncovered, for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally and using a potato masher to smash the whole tomatoes at the halfway mark. Discard the onion and bay leaves.
• Make the pesto: In the bowl of a food processor, pulse together the garlic and nuts until chopped. Add the basil with a pinch of salt and pulse until it makes coarse crumbs. Transfer to a mixing bowl and add the Parmesan and olive oil. Mix until well combined. Season with salt and pepper.
• Place a large pot of salted water over the direct-heat side of the grill and bring to a boil. Cook the pasta 2 minutes less than the package directions, then scoop out into the tomato sauce, adding 1/2 cup pasta water. Toss to coat, then remove from the heat. (If the pasta is too dry, add some more pasta water.) Stir half the pesto mixture into the pasta. Plate and serve immediately with more pesto over the top.

EASY PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Boil spaghetti in a large pan according to pack instructions. Drain well, then return to the pan with the pesto and half the Parmesan. Toss well, then tip into a serving bowl and sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan.