Pesto pasta is one of the easiest and most satisfying dishes you can make, perfect for a quick mid-week meal when you want something fresh, flavorful, and effortless. This recipe uses spiral pasta, which holds onto the pesto beautifully, ensuring every bite is packed with herby goodness. The best part is that you can make extra pesto and store it in the fridge to use in sandwiches, salads, or as a dip throughout the week.

Ingredients

For the pesto

• 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
• ¼ cup pine nuts (or substitute walnuts or almonds)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• Juice of half a lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the pasta

• 400g spiral pasta (fusilli or rotini work best)
• ¼ cup toasted pine nuts (optional, for extra crunch)
• Extra Parmesan cheese for garnish
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Instructions

Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve half a cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.

While the pasta is cooking, prepare the pesto. In a food processor or blender, combine basil, pine nuts, Parmesan, and garlic. Pulse until everything is finely chopped. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while blending until you get a smooth consistency. Add lemon juice, salt, and pepper, and blend again to combine.

Return the drained pasta to the pot while still warm. Add a few spoonfuls of pesto and mix well to coat. If needed, add a little reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce and help it cling to the pasta.

For extra flavor, toss in toasted pine nuts (optional). Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and basil leaves for garnish.

If you’ve made extra pesto, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. You can also freeze it in small portions to use later in sandwiches, salads, or drizzled over roasted vegetables.

This pesto pasta is a lifesaver on busy nights, coming together in under twenty minutes with minimal effort. The fresh, garlicky, and nutty pesto elevates simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal, while the spiral pasta holds onto every bit of flavor. Plus, by making extra pesto, you have a ready-to-go ingredient to add to other dishes throughout the week, saving you even more time.

Enjoy this quick, fresh, and delicious pesto spiral pasta, a meal that proves simple cooking can be the most satisfying.