Fresh Basil Pesto Pasta
A creamy pasta dish infused with fresh basil, garlic, and parmesan, perfect for a quick weeknight meal. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, blends pasta, fresh basil, 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 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 pasta
- 1/2 cup, packed fresh basil
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup, grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
The food processor we’d make this in → Best Food Processors in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook 12 oz pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- Step 2: In a food processor, combine 1/2 cup fresh basil, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 cup grated parmesan, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Pulse until smooth, adding a splash of pasta water to reach desired consistency.
- Step 3: Toss the cooked pasta with the pesto until evenly coated. Garnish with additional parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil before serving.
