Best-Best Basil Pesto Pasta
A vibrant and aromatic pasta dish featuring fresh basil pesto, creamy cheese, and tender pasta. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 35 minutes, blends pasta, basil, parmesan cheese into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti pasta
- 1 cup, fresh, packed basil
- 1/2 cup, grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Food processors worth buying for dips like this → Best Food Processors in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook 12 oz spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: In a food processor, combine 1 cup fresh basil, 1/2 cup grated parmesan, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper. Pulse until smooth.
- Step 3: Toss 12 oz cooked pasta with 1/2 cup pesto mixture, adding 1/2 cup pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
- Step 4: Serve immediately, garnished with additional parmesan and basil leaves.
