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Fresh Pesto Pasta with Juicy Cherry Tomatoes

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A quick and easy homemade pesto pasta recipe bursting with fresh basil, toasted pine nuts, and juicy roasted cherry tomatoes, perfect for a light and vibrant summer meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts, lightly toasted
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 12 ounces penne or spaghetti pasta
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes (about 300 grams), halved or whole if small
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for roasting tomatoes)
  • A handful of fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread pine nuts evenly on a baking sheet and toast for 5-7 minutes, stirring once halfway through. Remove from oven and cool.
  2. Toss cherry tomatoes with 1 tablespoon olive oil and a pinch of salt. Spread on a separate baking sheet and roast for 15-20 minutes until softened and blistered. Set aside.
  3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
  4. In a food processor, combine toasted pine nuts, basil leaves, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice. Pulse to chop. With machine running, slowly drizzle in olive oil until smooth but textured. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Return drained pasta to pot or large bowl. Add pesto and toss to coat. Add reserved pasta water gradually to achieve desired sauce consistency.
  6. Gently fold in roasted cherry tomatoes. Add red pepper flakes if desired.
  7. Serve pasta garnished with fresh basil leaves and extra Parmesan cheese. Drizzle with olive oil if desired.

Notes

Toast pine nuts carefully to avoid burning. Use fresh basil for best flavor. Don’t over-blend pesto to keep texture. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Roast tomatoes until juicy but not mushy. Add lemon juice or olive oil if pesto looks dull after blending.

Nutrition

Keywords: pesto pasta, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, homemade pesto, summer recipe, easy pasta, quick dinner

Find it online: https://bitematrix.com/fresh-pesto-pasta-with-juicy-cherry-tomatoes-easy-homemade-recipe-for-summer/