Ligurian Pesto Pasta Recipe

When gastronomy meets authenticity, Ligurian Pesto Pasta is the end result! This Italian masterpiece often brings fond memories of family gatherings, weekend dinners, or special occasions. This heaven-on-a-plate dish has an exquisite balance of flavors thanks to rich basil, aromatic garlic, freshly grated Pecorino and Parmigiano Reggiano cheeses and pine nuts. The exquisite blend of these elements results in a velvety texture that will dance on your taste buds.

What���s not to love about Ligurian Pesto Pasta? It’s not only mouthwateringly delicious but also pretty simple to knock up, making it a sure-shot crowd-pleaser. The best part? You can enjoy it anytime – lunch, dinner, or a mid-week treat. So, get into your pasta mode, folks. This is sheer comfort food at its best!

Pulling this dish together shouldn’t take rocket science nor a whole lot of time. Allow around 10 minutes for prepping, and then it���s a swift 20 minutes cooking time. So, you’re looking at a total of only 30 minutes. This pesto pasta recipe yields 4 servings and plenty of smiles all round!

• Preparation Time: 10 minutes
• Cooking Time: 20 Minutes
• Total Time: 30 Minutes
• Servings: 4 Servings

Ready for a culinary escapade to the heart of Italy? Let’s dive into the sea of flavors!

Ingredients & Equipment You’ll Need

Here are the essential components:

• 2 Cups of Fresh Basil Leaves
• 3 Cloves of Garlic
• 1/4 Cup Pine Nuts
• 2/3 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1/2 Cup Grated Pecorino Cheese
• 1/2 Cup Grated Parmigiano Reggiano
• 400g of Pasta (Tagliatelle, Spaghetti or Fettuccine)

You’ll need:

• Food Processor
• Pasta Pot

Basil is our true star in this recipe, providing the fresh herby kick. Cheese creates the creamy texture while giving the dish its distinct Italian taste. The pine nuts add depth and crunch, a match made in heaven with the other ingredients.. In case you need any substitutes, walnuts can be used instead of pine nuts and spinach can be used as a backup for basil in a pinch. Note, the flavor profile will change with these substitutions.

How To Make Ligurian Pesto Pasta

1. Start by washing and drying the fresh basil leaves. Then put them in your food processor with garlic and pine nuts. Give them a good blitz to start breaking them down.
2. While the food processor is running, start slowly drizzling your extra virgin olive oil. This will emulsify the ingredients and create a gorgeous creamy texture.
3. Add the cheese and season with salt as appropriate. Give it a final blitz to mix all the ingredients well.
4. Cook your pasta of choice following packet instructions. Remember, you want the pasta al dente (firm to the bite).
5. Reserve a cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta. Then mix the pesto with the hot pasta, adding a splash of pasta water to create a silky sauce.
6. Serve the pasta, sprinkling extra grated cheese on top for a final touch. Bellissimo!

Tips For The Best Results

• Use good quality, fresh ingredients for the best taste.
• Don’t overcook the pasta. It should be al dente – firm yet cooked.
• Reserve some pasta water to add into the pasta and pesto to create a smoother sauce.

Storage Tips

• Pesto can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week in the fridge.
• You can also freeze pesto in ice cube trays to have ready-to-use portions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use a different type of nut?

A: Absolutely, although we recommend pine nuts for the best flavor, walnuts or almonds can be used too.

Q: Can I use dried basil?

A: Fresh basil is better for this recipe as it gives a fresher taste. But in a pinch, you can use dried basil.

Q: Can I make this vegan?

A: Yes, just replace the cheese with a vegan alternative or even nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavour.

Q: Can I use different type of pasta?

A: Any pasta works but tagliatelle, spaghetti or fettuccine give the best results.

Nutritional Facts of Ligurian Pesto Pasta

This recipe contains about 595 Calories per serving. It’s high in protein and calcium, and also provides good fats, dietary fiber, and various other essential vitamins and minerals.

So there we have it, folks – an authentic Ligurian Pesto Pasta. Try this recipe out for a taste of Italy in your own kitchen. Toss in some grilled chicken or saut��ed vegetables for an additional layer of flavor. Happy cooking!