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Cooking adventures in a small, closet sized, kitchen. - I came to realize that my meals were boring and that I had been eating the same few dishes over and over again for years. It was time for a change! I now spend my free time searching for, creating and trying tasty new recipes in my closet sized kitchen.

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Basil Pesto on Penne

[heart_this] · Sep 10, 2007 · 14 Comments

Basil Pesto on Penne

I normally get my herbs at the grocery store but this weekend they were out of cilantro. Luckily I was going to the farmers market next and I thought I would look there. While I was there I saw some amazing looking basil. Normally the basil that I get at the grocery store comes in a little package where there are only about 15 leaves. This basil came in really big bunches, it looked amazing and was really fragrant. I immediately picked some up with thoughts of basil pesto running through my head. This basil was much better than the basil that I am used to getting. The basil pesto was the best that I have made so far. I think that I will be getting my herbs from the farmers market more often.

Basil Pesto on Penne

Basil Pesto on Penne

Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes Servings: 2
ingredients
  • 1 cup fresh basil pesto
  • 1 pound pasta (gluten free for gluten free)
directions
  1. Cook the pasta as directed on the package reserving 1/4 cup of the water that it was cooked in.
  2. Toss the pasta in the pesto and reserved pasta water to coat.
Use in:
Grilled Asparagus, Zucchini and Halloumi Salad
Asparagus and Baby Artichoke Quinoa Salad

Similar Recipes:
Pistachio Pesto
Garlic Scape Pesto on Fusilli with Garlic Scape Garlic Bread
Meyer Lemon Pesto and Feta Pasta with Shrimp
Zucchini Pistou Pasta
Sundried Tomato Pesto

Take a look at the Presto Pasta Nights roundup at Once Upon a Feast.

6 Ingredients, Food, Gluten-free, Italian, Main Course, Pasta, Recipe, Vegetarian

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    September 11, 2007 at 12:11 am

    Wonderful dish, Kevin. Great job 🙂

    Reply
  2. Nora B. says

    September 11, 2007 at 5:19 am

    Beautiful. Love home made pesto.

    Reply
  3. Cynthia says

    September 11, 2007 at 11:45 am

    Basil is my favourite herb, only fresh will do for me. Your pesto and pasta, a satisfying meal.

    Reply
  4. Janet says

    September 11, 2007 at 1:48 pm

    Wow – that basil is beautiful and your pasta looks yummy. I think I buy the same little package at the grocery store. I usually only buy fresh herbs when I have a particular recipe that needs them. I wish there was a way to make them last longer so I could keep a good assortment on hand all the time…

    Reply
  5. Deborah says

    September 11, 2007 at 3:25 pm

    Fresh pesto is the best!!

    Reply
  6. Rasa Malaysia says

    September 11, 2007 at 4:10 pm

    I love basil so much I put them in everything. LOL. I also have a basil plant that I bought earlier this spring and I “pluck” the leaves so much it’s becoming bald. Sad. LOL.

    Reply
  7. katiez says

    September 11, 2007 at 6:32 pm

    That’s gorgeous basil! Your pesto must have been lovely…your pasta was….
    No sympathy about the cilantro, though, I’m one of “those”!

    Reply
  8. Ruth Daniels says

    September 11, 2007 at 7:42 pm

    There is nothing on earth like fresh homemade pesto. Thanks for sharing your version with Presto Pasta Nights.

    Reply
  9. Aimée says

    September 11, 2007 at 8:54 pm

    I agree about the benefits of market shopping. It doesn’t get any better than locally grown produce!
    This looks amazing!

    Reply
  10. JennDZ - The Leftover Queen says

    September 11, 2007 at 10:40 pm

    Oh yeah! I love basil from the farmer’s market! I am sure it was fantastic!

    Reply
  11. Anh says

    September 11, 2007 at 11:22 pm

    Pasta with pesto made from fresh basil! nothing will be better than that!

    Reply
  12. Holler says

    September 12, 2007 at 10:47 pm

    I love basil! Isn’t it the best herb? Your pasta looks yum!

    Reply
  13. Coffee & Vanilla says

    September 12, 2007 at 11:23 pm

    I’m sure I would love it!! It looks sooo good and it has pine nuts!! 🙂

    Greetings, Margot

    p.s. Please visit my blog and vote for “Inspiring Food Photography”, blog with the best food photos! 🙂

    Reply
  14. Meghan says

    November 24, 2008 at 6:06 pm

    Next time you make this pesto, may I suggest adding just a dash of lemon juice? Even a teaspoon will really liven the pesto up and give it a bit of tartness and even more freshness. Ah, pesto….

    Reply

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Kevin: I came to realize that my meals were boring and that I had been eating the same few dishes over and over again for years. It was time for a change! I now spend my free time searching for, creating and trying tasty new recipes in my closet sized kitchen.
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