Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
pesto pasta recipe

Pesto Pasta

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review
  • Author: Katya
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 10 min
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Category: Main
  • Method: Simmer
  • Cuisine: Italian

Description

This 3-ingredient pesto pasta is an easy side or main dish that’s perfect for warm weather. It’s made with pasta, basil pesto, and lemon juice. 


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 8 oz. dry pasta of choice
  • 1/23/4 cup basil pesto
  • 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
  • Shredded Parmesan cheese, for serving, optional

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta in salted water according to package directions. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water and drain the rest.
  2. Immediately, off heat, toss the cooked pasta with 1/2 cup pesto and some of the reserved pasta water to create saucy consistency. Add lemon juice. Taste, add more pesto as needed.
  3. Serve immediately, garnished with freshly shredded Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • Pesto: If using store-bought pesto, look for fresh refrigerated pesto. It’s better tasting than pesto found in the pasta sauce aisle.
  • Leftovers: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. 

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/4 pasta tossed with pesto
  • Calories: 360
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 272.5 mg
  • Fat: 15.8 g
  • Carbohydrates: 44.1 g
  • Protein: 9.4 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg