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Fresh Pesto Pasta with Juicy Cherry Tomatoes

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A quick and easy homemade recipe featuring vibrant basil pesto tossed with al dente pasta and gently sautéed juicy cherry tomatoes for a fresh, flavorful meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
  • 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
  • 2 large garlic cloves, peeled
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 12 oz spaghetti or linguine
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (for sautéing tomatoes)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Optional: fresh basil leaves for garnish

Instructions

  1. Toast the pine nuts in a small dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently until golden and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
  2. In a food processor, combine basil leaves, cooled pine nuts, garlic cloves, and Parmesan cheese. Pulse a few times to break down ingredients.
  3. With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture is smooth but still has some texture. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Scrape down sides as needed.
  4. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 9-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  5. While pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add halved cherry tomatoes, season lightly with salt and pepper, and sauté gently for 5-7 minutes until softened but still holding shape.
  6. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining pasta. Drain pasta and return to pot or large bowl.
  7. Add pesto to pasta and toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen sauce and help it cling.
  8. Gently fold in sautéed cherry tomatoes and fresh lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
  9. Serve immediately, garnished with extra basil leaves or a sprinkle of Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for best pesto texture. Toast pine nuts carefully to avoid burning. Do not overcook tomatoes to keep their shape and juiciness. Reserve pasta water to help pesto cling to pasta. Pulse pesto ingredients rather than blending continuously to maintain texture. Multitask by toasting nuts and sautéing tomatoes while pasta cooks.

Nutrition

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

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