An Easy Homemade Basil Pesto Pasta Sauce Recipe for Summer

An easy homemade basil pesto pasta sauce recipe for summer that tastes as flavorful and fresh as it actually is.

Pesto is one of those things that I remember distinctly the first time I had it. I was in my twenties and we were having dinner with friends who worked with my husband at Surfer Publishing. They had a very cool cottage in Laguna Beach. At the time I probably did not appreciate just how cool it was for the early 90s. Both are artists and so it makes sense their place would be a reflection of their talents.

It was mid-summer and they made us pasta with fresh pesto made from their tiny hillside garden with ocean breezes that had basil growing wild. I had never even tasted pesto. For reference though, this was even before we had Trader Joe’s in South Orange County, California so it never occurred to me to buy it in a jar at the grocery store. Years later I still have a hard time buying store-bought pesto when it’s so easy to make. And when you make your own fresh pesto, the sauce coats every bite of pasta unlike any store-bought pesto will.

What I love most about this dish is how a few simple ingredients make such a stunningly bright and flavorful sauce for a perfect bowl of comfort food. I also love that it’s a dish that’s best made in the summer when basil grows plentiful. It’s the perfect easy meal for picnics, dining outside, or busy weeknights. It’s delicious hot or served room temperature. And it makes great leftovers…if you are lucky enough to have leftovers! Just use some plastic wrap to cover the bowl or transfer the leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator until ready to have again.

The simple ingredients

• Toasted pine nuts
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• Garlic cloves, grated
• Bunches of fresh basil, washed and dried
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper

The equipment you’ll need

• Food processor
• Microplane grater
• Baking sheet
• Large pasta pot

What is the best pasta to use?

A lot of people like to use spaghetti or penne pasta with fresh basil pesto. However, I like to serve pesto sauce with fusilli pasta because the sauce gets in all the spirals and gives you the most flavor in every bite. But really, any pasta will work just fine so choose your favorite and run with it.

How can I serve pesto pasta?

I think this recipe is good and so packed full of flavor that I like to serve it as an entree with some crusty bread and a side salad. But pesto is very versatile so you could serve it as a side dish or as a pesto pasta salad with chicken, cherry tomatoes and a few red pepper flakes.

Instructions for the best pesto pasta recipe

1. Preheat the oven to 350º. On a baking sheet, spread the pine nuts in an even layer, and toast them until golden brown (don’t walk away as they are toasting; it takes only 2 or 3 minutes and they can easily burn if you get distracted).
2. Transfer the pine nuts to a food processor and let them cool. 
3. Next, add the cheese and garlic and pulse until finely ground, about 1 minute.
4. Add the washed basil (thick stems removed and discarded).
5. With the motor running, add the extra virgin olive oil in a slow and steady stream until pesto is smooth, about 1 minute. Pour into a small bowl and set aside.
6. Cook the pasta according to the package directions (I prefer it al dente) and reserve a cup of the pasta cooking water.
7. Place your cooked and drained pasta in a large bowl. Pour the pesto sauce into the hot pasta and mix. If the mixture is a little dry, add some of the cup of the pasta water. Top with additional grated parmesan cheese and serve immediately.

For a few other fun recipes, you might like these:

• Burrata Cheese Board
• Alison Roman’s Carmelized Shallot Pasta
• Best Meatballs Ever

An Easy Homemade Basil Pesto Pasta Sauce Recipe for Summer

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A simple recipe for pesto in case it’s been awhile since you made it.

• Prep Time: 10
• Cook Time: 12
• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

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• 1/2 cup pine nuts
• 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 2 garlic cloves, grated
• 3 bunches fresh basil, washed and dried
• 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. On a baking sheet, spread the pine nuts in an even layer and bake them until golden brown (don’t walk away as they are toasting; it only take 20 or three minutes and they can easily burn if you are distracted).
2. Transfer the pine nuts to a food processor and let them cool. 
3. Next, add the cheese and garlic and pulse until finely ground, about 1 minute.
4. Add the washed basil (thick stems removed and discarded).
5. With the motor running, add the extra virgin olive oil in a slow and steady stream until pesto is smooth, about 1 minute. Pour into a small bowl and set aside.
6. Cook the pasta according to the package directions (I prefer it al dente) and reserve a cup of the pasta cooking water.
7. Pour your cooked and drained pasta into a large bowl. Add the pesto sauce into the hot pasta and mix. If the mixture is a little dry, add some of the cup of the pasta water. Top with additional grated parmesan cheese and serve immediately.

If you like simple ingredient recipes for summer, here are a few more from some friends!

Layered Hummus Dip – Modern Glam

Appetizer Trio With Roasted Rosemary Cashews – Classic Casual Home

Homemade Hummus – Lemongrove Lane

How to Make Bubble Tea (Boba Tea) – Happy Happy Nester

Lemon Rosemary Shortbread Cookies – Finding Lovely 

5 Ingredient Blueberry Crepes – Zevy Joy

Raspberry Lemonade Sorbet – Jenna Kate At Home

Easy Pasta Recipe – My 100 Year Old Home

Easy Italian Sausage Pasta – Maison De Pax

Creamy Grape Salad – Twelve on Main