Pasta tossed with vibrant basil pesto, lemon zest, Parmesan, and olive oil for a refreshing, flavorful Italian dish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz spaghetti or linguine
→ Pesto
02 - 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
03 - 1/4 cup pine nuts
04 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
05 - 2 garlic cloves
06 - 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
07 - Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
08 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Garnish
09 - Grated Parmesan cheese
10 - Fresh basil leaves
11 - Lemon zest
# Steps to Follow:
01 - Boil a large pot of salted water and cook spaghetti or linguine according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
02 - In a food processor, blend basil leaves, pine nuts, Parmesan, garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice until finely chopped.
03 - With the processor running, slowly incorporate olive oil until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
04 - Return drained pasta to the pot and add pesto plus a splash of reserved pasta water. Toss thoroughly to coat, adjusting consistency with additional water if needed.
05 - Portion pasta onto plates and garnish generously with extra Parmesan, fresh basil, and a sprinkle of lemon zest.
