Pesto pasta

Pesto pasta is a dish that can be traced back to the early days of Italian cuisine. It is a simple dish consisting of pasta tossed with a pesto sauce. The sauce is typically made from a blend of fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and pine nuts.

The origins of pesto pasta are thought to date back to the 16th century, when a similar dish was popular in the Liguria region of Italy. It wasn't until the early 20th century that pesto began to gain popularity outside of Italy.

The dish gained popularity in the United States in the 1970s and 1980s, when Italian immigrants began to open restaurants that served traditional Italian dishes. Today, pesto pasta is a popular dish that can be found in restaurants and home kitchens around the world.

Advice

Making pesto pasta is a simple and delicious way to enjoy a classic Italian dish. The key to success is to use the freshest and best ingredients you can find. Start by selecting quality pasta and your favorite pesto. If you're making the pesto from scratch, be sure to use fresh herbs and high-quality olive oil. When cooking the pasta, it's important to use plenty of salted water and to ensure that the pasta is cooked al dente. After the pasta is cooked, reserve some of the cooking water and add it to the pesto before tossing it with the pasta. This will help to create a creamy sauce and will ensure that the flavors are evenly distributed. Finally, top the dish with a sprinkle of grated cheese and enjoy!

Questions

Do you heat pesto before adding to pasta?

No, pesto does not need to be heated before adding to pasta. Pesto can be added directly to the cooked pasta and stirred in.

What goes well with pesto pasta?

Pesto pasta is best served with a protein such as chicken, shrimp, or grilled vegetables. It is also delicious with a side salad or a fresh crusty bread.

What is pesto pasta good for?

Pesto pasta is a delicious dish that is great for an easy and satisfying meal. It can be served as a main dish, side dish, or as an appetizer. It's also a great way to add flavor to pasta dishes. Pesto pasta is high in protein, low in fat, and full of flavor. It's also a great way to get more vegetables into your diet.

What is pesto pasta made of?

Pesto pasta is typically made with fresh basil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, salt, and pine nuts.

Do you serve pesto hot or cold?

Pesto is typically served cold.

How do Italians eat pesto?

Traditionally, Italians eat pesto as part of a pasta dish. Pesto is usually tossed with cooked pasta, such as spaghetti or penne, and then topped with grated cheese, such as Parmesan or Pecorino Romano. It can also be used as a spread on bruschetta or as a topping for pizza.

Jump to: Ingredient Breakdown Insights

Recipes

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Spicy Red Pesto Pasta

  • lemon zest
  • salt
  • basil
  • rigatoni
  • red pepper flake
  • parmesan cheese
  • walnut
  • red pepper
  • oil tomato
  • olive oil
  • tomato paste
  • garlic
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Pesto Pasta With White Beans and Halloumi

  • ARUGULA (ROCKET) PESTO
  • pine nut
  • salt
  • parsley
  • olive oil
  • garlic
  • arugula
  • PASTA
  • salt
  • thyme
  • block halloumi
  • green serrano chile
  • olive oil
  • lemon juice
  • cannellini bean
  • trofie pasta
  • chicken
  • garlic
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White Pesto Pasta

  • black pepper
  • salt
  • lemon zest
  • garlic
  • tube
  • walnut
  • olive oil
  • parmesan cheese
  • oregano
  • ricotta cheese
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Creamy Ramp Pesto Pasta

  • pink peppercorn
  • salt
  • zest
  • fusilli lunghi
  • ramp
  • parmesan cheese
  • olive oil
  • pistachio
  • bufala ricotta
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Red Pesto Pasta

  • spaghetti
  • walnut
  • salt
  • butter
  • red fresno chile
  • parmesan cheese
  • tomato paste
  • lemon juice
  • olive oil
  • garlic
  • oil anchovy
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Easy Pesto Pasta

  • basil pesto
  • pine nut
  • arugula
  • spaghetti
  • olive oil
  • lemon juice
  • vegan parmesan
  • red pepper flake
  • salt
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Charred Tomato and Corn Pesto Pasta.

  • basil vinaigrette
  • angel hair pasta
  • garlic
  • olive oil
  • red pepper flake
  • herb
  • basil
  • cherry tomato
  • olive oil
  • red wine vinegar
  • garlic
  • ears corn
  • zucchini
  • burrata
  • salt
  • salt
  • basil
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Chicken Pesto Pasta

  • half
  • thyme
  • italian seasoning
  • olive oil
  • onion
  • parmesan cheese
  • pesto
  • penne pasta
  • pepper flake
  • butter
  • chicken breast
  • chicken broth
  • all purpose flour
  • garlic
  • basil
  • salt
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Chicken Pesto Pasta

  • heavy cream
  • parmesan cheese
  • penne pasta
  • olive oil
  • pine nut
  • basil
  • chicken breast
  • olive oil
  • black pepper pepper
  • garlic
  • salt
  • chicken broth
  • garlic
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Chickpea Pesto Pasta

  • chickpea
  • corn
  • greek yogurt
  • parmesan cheese
  • butter
  • pesto
  • garlic powder
  • pasta
  • parmesan cheese top it
  • salt
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Avocado Pesto Pasta

  • basil
  • salt
  • avocado
  • olive oil
  • black pepper
  • lemon juice
  • garlic
  • pasta
  • pine nut

Ingredient Breakdown

 
olive oil
salt
parmesan cheese
garlic
basil
pasta
pine nut
lemon juice
black pepper
walnut
spaghetti
red pepper flake
butter
pesto
cherry tomato
broccoli
arugula
basil pesto
penne pasta
onion
chicken breast
tomato
lemon zest
parsley
asparagus
lemon
tomato paste
thyme
chicken
avocado
ramp
pistachio
oil anchovy
orecchiette
pasta water
zucchini
half
chicken broth
shrimp
spinach
mint
rigatoni
red pepper
oil tomato
block halloumi
green serrano chile
cannellini bean
trofie pasta
fusilli
pepita
tube
oregano
ricotta cheese
pink peppercorn
zest
fusilli lunghi
bufala ricotta
red fresno chile
vegan parmesan
quantity pesto
bucatini
petite green pea
ham
vegetable oil
basil vinaigrette
angel hair pasta
herb
red wine vinegar
ears corn
burrata
italian seasoning
pepper flake
all purpose flour
tripoline
ricotta salata
sesame seed
green
gluten spaghetti
pepper
pesto sauce
green bean
yukon gold potato
linguini
water
heavy cream
black pepper pepper
chickpea
corn
greek yogurt
garlic powder
parmesan cheese top it
salt black pepper
green cabbage
v8 ® healthy green
california avocado
nutritional yeast
cashew
nut milk
green olife
black pepper several twist
brussels sprout
chicken sausage link
bell pepper
yellow squash
almond
balsamic vinegar
totally parmesan
blackening powder
asparagus spinach pesto
honey
wheat linguine
hazelnut
kale
radish
beet
barilla penne pasta
oil

Insights

Staple Ingredients

  • salt 72%
  • olive oil 69%
  • parmesan cheese 59%
  • garlic 54%

Common Ingredients

  • basil 38%

Usual Ingredients

  • pasta 26%
  • pine nut 26%
  • black pepper 23%
  • lemon juice 23%
  • red pepper flake 15%
  • butter 13%
  • cherry tomato 13%
  • pesto 13%
  • spaghetti 13%
  • walnut 13%