Imagine transforming ordinary pasta into a gourmet masterpiece in just 25 minutes that will make your taste buds dance and your dinner guests think you've secretly trained in an Italian kitchen! This Pistachio Pesto Pasta isn't just a recipe; it's a culinary adventure that turns simple ingredients into a vibrant, nutty, and absolutely irresistible dish that will elevate your weeknight cooking from mundane to magnificent.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta
- 1 cup pistachios
- 2 cups fresh basil
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. The water should taste like sea water to properly season the pasta.
- While water is heating, toast pistachios in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- In a food processor, combine toasted pistachios, fresh basil leaves, peeled garlic cloves, grated Parmesan cheese, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Pulse the ingredients a few times to roughly chop, then slowly drizzle in olive oil while processing until a smooth, vibrant green pesto forms.
- Add pasta to boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes.
- Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water before draining the pasta in a colander.
- Return hot pasta to the pot and immediately add pistachio pesto, stirring to coat evenly. If needed, add reserved pasta water to help sauce cling to pasta.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or Parmesan cheese as desired.
- Serve immediately in warm bowls, garnishing with extra chopped pistachios or fresh basil leaves if preferred.
Tips
- Toast your pistachios carefully - this unlocks their deep, rich flavor and adds a beautiful depth to your pesto.
- Use the freshest basil possible for the most vibrant green color and intense herbal notes.
- Reserve pasta water is your secret weapon - it helps create a silky, clingy sauce that coats every pasta strand perfectly.
- For the best texture, aim for al dente pasta - it should have a slight bite and not be mushy.
- Don't be afraid to adjust seasoning - taste as you go and add more salt, pepper, or Parmesan to suit your palate.
- For a gourmet touch, garnish with extra chopped pistachios or fresh basil leaves just before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 580kcal
Carbohydrates: 40g
Protein: 20g
Fat: 42g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 15mg
