Classic Homemade Pesto Pasta with Roasted Garlic and Parmesan

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-31 · Updated 2026-03-31

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Creamy basil pesto infused with roasted garlic, tossed with al dente pasta and grated Parmesan. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 70 minutes, blends basil, parmesan cheese, garlic 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 650 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.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 650 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 cup fresh basil
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
4 cloves roasted garlic
1/4 cup olive oil
12 oz spaghetti pasta
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 200°F (95°C). Toss 4 cloves garlic with 1 tsp salt and roast for 20 minutes until golden. Let cool.
Step 2: In a food processor, combine 1 cup basil, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 cup Parmesan, and 1/2 tsp pepper. Pulse until smooth, gradually adding 1 tbsp olive oil at a time to reach desired consistency.
Step 3: Cook 12 oz spaghetti in salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water. Toss with pesto, adding pasta water to create a creamy sauce. Garnish with roasted garlic cloves and additional Parmesan.