Can I add a protein to this recipe? How should I serve it?

Yes! Grilled and sliced chicken (or leftover roast chicken) goes really well here, as do crispy pieces of pancetta. Not protein, but while we're on the subject of add-ins, sundried tomatoes would also be delicious. Isle of Wight Tomatoes make some that are to die for !

How long does fresh pesto last?

You can store this basil pesto in a jar or airtight container in the fridge for a at least a week. Make sure it's properly sealed. If you want to keep it longer, I would advise adding it to a jar and levelling it out so it’s nice and flat. Then add some olive oil over the top to create a layer that essentially seals the pesto.

How should I store leftovers?

Any leftovers can be kept in the fridge in an airtight container for 3 days. I also like this recipe cold (well, room temperature - remove from the fridge 20-30 mins before serving so it loses its fridge chill) and it almost becomes a pasta salad. If needed, add a drizzle more olive oil or lemon juice to loosen it. It sometimes dries up a little when in the fridge for a day.

Pasta Al Pesto

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Simple and tasty, can you ever beat pesto pasta, or Pasta al Pesto? It's so good and easier than you think.

Author: Margie
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: Serves 2
Category: Pasta
Method: Stove Top
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale

To Make The Pasta

200g dried pasta
mini mozzarella pearls, to serve
cherry tomatoes, to serve

To Make The Pesto

100g pine nuts, toasted
100g basil, handful of leaves reserved
200ml olive oil
1 garlic clove (optional)
1 lemon, zest and juice
½ tbsp freshly ground black pepper
70g parmesan
salt, to taste

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Instructions

Add all of the pesto ingredients to a blender and blitz until smooth. Taste the pesto and see if you need to add any salt, you may find it’s salty enough from the cheese. Decant the pesto to a clean jar.
Bring a medium pan of water up to a boil, add the pasta and then lower the heat cooking for 2 minutes less than the packet instructions. When cooked, drain the pasta, reserving a little pasta water.
Add 3 generous tablespoons of your pesto to the pan, followed by 1 tablespoon of the reserved pasta water, mix to combine.
Tip the pasta into the sauce and warm together before dividing between two pasta bowls. Top with mini mozzarella pearls each if you like. Garnish with more basil leaves, cherry tomatoes. Season and drizzle over your best olive oil.

Notes

Scroll up for a step by step guide on how to make this recipe.

To store: Any leftovers can be kept in the fridge in an airtight container for 3 days.

To reheat: I find the best way to reheat is in a pan over medium heat. Add a knob of butter and stir often until it's hot and melted again. The butter helps the sauce keep its nice creamy texture. Otherwise, the microwave works too for 1-2 minutes until piping hot.

To freeze: I wouldn't recommend freezing the pasta once all mixed up as I find pasta doesn't always freeze that well. What you can do is freeze the pesto! Either freeze in an airtight container, ice cube trays or a freezer bag. The freezer can sometimes darken the pesto in colour so don't be alarmed but it will still taste delicious. You can keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Make ahead: You can make the pesto ahead of time and have that ready (or use shop bought). See cooking tips on how to store the pesto. When ready, boil the pasta and make up the sauce as instructed. Toss in the pasta and you're done.

How to toast pine nuts: I like to toast pine nuts in a pan, as this means I can keep a closer eye on them to make sure they don’t burn. Toast over medium-high heat and keep the pan moving to make sure they are evenly golden. You can toast in the oven but they turn quickly from golden to black and burnt pine nuts are not very good as you can imagine!

How to store basil: any leftover basil should be stored in the following way to keep it alive and strong for a good week. Slice the ends off the basil stalks and place in a small glass or mug in around 1cm of water. Take a clean sandwich bag and cover the basil with it, pulling the bag down the glass. Then seal the sandwich bag around the glass/mug. Leave at room temp.

Find it online: https://desertislanddishes.co/pasta-al-pesto/