Prosperity Pesto Pasta

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 10 min
🍽 Serves: 4
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Prosperity Pesto Pasta is your ticket to a quick, flavorful meal that feels like a treat. With fresh basil and creamy Parmesan, it's perfect for a weeknight dinner or when you want to impress without the stress.

Ingredients for Prosperity Pesto Pasta

The star here is spaghetti, which serves as the perfect canvas for our vibrant sauce. Fresh basil leaves bring a fragrant, herbaceous note that makes pesto so irresistible. Pine nuts add a subtle nuttiness and creamy texture to the sauce. Parmesan cheese introduces a salty, savory depth that balances the fresh basil. Garlic provides a punchy, aromatic kick, rounding out the flavors beautifully. We use olive oil as the base to blend everything together smoothly. A little salt and freshly ground black pepper enhance all these flavors without overpowering them.

Tips & Tricks

  • Toast the pine nuts lightly for extra flavor before blending.
  • Don't over-blend the pesto; you want a bit of texture.
  • If you prefer a creamier sauce, add a spoonful of Greek yogurt or cream cheese.

Serving Suggestions

This dish pairs beautifully with a light side salad, perhaps with arugula and a lemon vinaigrette. A glass of crisp white wine, like a Sauvignon Blanc, complements the basil's freshness wonderfully. For a heartier meal, consider adding grilled chicken or shrimp.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this pesto without a food processor?
Yes, you can use a blender or even chop everything finely by hand for a chunkier texture.
What can I substitute for pine nuts?
Walnuts or almonds are great alternatives and still give a nice nutty flavor.
How long will the pesto last?
Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, it should last about a week.

Prosperity Pesto Pasta Recipe Walkthrough

First, get your spaghetti cooking. Follow the package instructions, aiming for that perfect al dente bite. While it cooks, scoop out about 1/2 cup of the pasta water and set it aside — this starchy liquid will help emulsify your sauce and get it to just the right consistency later. Once the pasta is done, drain it and set it aside.

Now, grab your food processor. Toss in the basil leaves, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and garlic. Pulse these together until everything is finely chopped, with no big chunks left to surprise you later. With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. You'll see it transform into a smooth, vibrant pesto. Taste it, and add a dash of salt and pepper to your liking.

In a large mixing bowl, combine your cooked spaghetti and fresh pesto. Use the reserved pasta water to adjust the sauce to your desired consistency. You might not need all of it, so add it gradually. Toss everything well to ensure the spaghetti is fully coated in that gorgeous green sauce.

Serve your Prosperity Pesto Pasta immediately, with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and a few basil leaves on top if you like. Enjoy!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Quick to prepare: Ready in under 30 minutes.
  • Uses fresh, simple ingredients that shine.
  • Perfectly customizable to your taste.
  • Feels fancy but is effortless to make.

Ingredients

12 oz spaghetti
2 cups fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup pine nuts
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup olive oil
Salt to taste
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water and drain the rest.
2. In a food processor, combine basil leaves, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and garlic. Pulse until finely chopped.
3. While the food processor is running, slowly add olive oil and blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked spaghetti with the pesto, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve desired consistency.
5. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly with the pesto sauce.
6. Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and basil if desired.

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