## Giovanna’s Pasta con Pesto Recipe
Giovanna’s Pasta con Pesto is a delightful dish featuring fresh pasta tossed in a vibrant homemade pesto sauce. This recipe is simple yet packed with flavor, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
### Ingredients
#### For the Pesto Sauce:
- **2 cups fresh basil leaves**, packed
- **1/3 cup pine nuts** (or walnuts)
- **2 cloves garlic**, roughly chopped
- **1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese**
- **1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil**
- **Salt and pepper**, to taste
- **Juice of 1 lemon** (optional, for brightness)
#### For the Pasta:
- **12 ounces pasta** (spaghetti, linguine, or your choice)
- **Salt**, for pasta water
### Instructions
1. **Make the Pesto Sauce**:
- In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, pine nuts, and garlic. Pulse until finely chopped.
- Add the grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and pulse again to combine.
- With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If desired, add lemon juice for extra brightness.
2. **Cook the Pasta**:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
- Reserve about 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
3. **Combine Pasta and Pesto**:
- In a large mixing bowl or pot, combine the drained pasta with the pesto sauce. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly.
- If the sauce is too thick, add some reserved pasta water gradually until you reach your desired consistency.
4. **Serve**:
- Divide the pasta among serving plates. Garnish with additional grated Parmigiano-Reggiano and fresh basil if desired.
- Enjoy your delicious Giovanna’s Pasta con Pesto!
### Tips
- For added flavor, consider toasting the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden before adding them to the pesto.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken or shrimp for added protein.
- You can store any leftover pesto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze it for later use.
Enjoy this delightful Italian dish that brings together fresh ingredients and vibrant flavors!
Citations:
[1] https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/pesto-sauce.html
[2] https://cookieandkate.com/how-to-make-basil-pesto/
[3] https://simplysohealthy.com/easy-low-carb-sesame-chicken-recipe/
[4] https://www.loveandlemons.com/pesto-recipe/
[5] https://thai-foodie.com/thaifood/nam-tok-recipe-thai-steak-salad/
[6] https://vidarbergum.com/recipe/turkish-lentil-soup/
[7] https://www.simplyleb.com/recipe/turkish-lentil-soup-mercimek-corbasi/
[8] https://www.ruled.me/thai-bbq-pork-salad/
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