Add To Fried And Baked Food
Still wondering what to put pesto on? How about any fried or baked food?
Maybe Ive lived in the South too long, but my first recommendation for this category is fried green tomatoes on a bed of arugula drizzled with pesto. If you cant find green tomatoes, a hearty beefsteak tomato breaded and fried is a delicious substitute.
Fried chicken, shrimp, tofu and mozzarella sticks are also incredible with a pesto dip. I prefer to bake breaded chicken as its healthier than deep frying food. Plus, as much as I love fried and baked food, the pesto is the star of the dish.
Chicken Gnocchi Pesto Soup
After trying a similar soup at a restaurant, I decided to make my own easy and delicious version. The pesto gives this gnocchi soup a distinct Italian taste that is sometimes lacking in other gnocchi soups. Deanna Smith, who lives in Des Moines, Iowa t8/40
How To Freeze Pesto In Jar
You can freeze all the ingredients in a standard jar of pesto. Before freezing, transfer pesto out of the glass jar and into a freezer-safe tub or freezer bag and freeze it for up to 2 months.
If you wish to reuse the pesto in small quantities, freeze it in an ice cube tray. Once the cubes freeze, you can pop them out of the mold and transfer them to a tub or bag.
To use, simply remove from the freezer before eating and leave at room temperature to thaw.
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Creamy Pesto Pasta Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links to Amazon or other third-party vendors. Because I am an Amazon Associate, I receive money when people make eligible purchases. This recipe is for Creamy Pesto Pasta, which is one of my all-time favorite pasta recipes. This is a dish that our daughter asks on a regular basis. I believe she has excellent taste! Its quick and simple to put together and can be done in no time. Make your own fresh basil pesto from scratch or get it already made. As soon as the pesto is prepared, this Creamy Pesto Pasta Recipe comes together in minutes, making it ideal for any night of the week!
And have a peek!
Additionally, youll need extra virgin olive oil, heavy cream, and the pasta of your choosing in addition to the pesto recipe.
- Approximately 2 tablespoons of olive oil should be heated over medium heat in a saute pan. Add the pesto and stir it into the oil until well combined. As the pesto heated, make sure to stir it frequently. When the pesto has warmed up and become a bit frothy, slowly pour in approximately 1/4 cup heavy cream while whisking softly to incorporate. If you want to increase the amount of cream, go ahead. You may always thin out the sauce with a little pasta water if it becomes too thick. I used around 3 teaspoons in this case. Reduce the heat to low and continue to whisk until the cream and pesto are well incorporated. Dont forget to season with salt and pepper to your liking.
Furthermore, simplicity is usually a plus.
Basil Pesto Turning Black & Bitter
Nothing is more satisfying than preparing a batch of pesto sauce at home with handpicked basil leaves from the kitchen garden. It is one of the quickest and easiest sauce recipe.
But the biggest challenge with the basil pesto is at times it turns black and bitter.
I am sharing a few tips and tricks to avoid black and bitter pesto sauce:
1) Pesto Sauce is not meant for robust cooking. In fact, the pesto hates the heat. The more you cook the sauce, themore it loses nutrients, freshness, and color.
Tip: Combine pesto sauce while the pasta is hot in a mixing bowl and not on the stovetop. Serve immediately.
2) Pesto turns black when exposed to air for a longer duration due to oxidation.
Tip: This can be prevented by pouring a thin layer of olive oil on top of the pesto and by storing it in an airtight container.
3) Often pesto tastes bitter. Usually, there are two reasons responsible for the same. First, nuts or olive oil has gone rancid. Second, the sauce blended for too long leading to the release of bitter juices of basil leaves.
Tip: Ensure that you are using quality ingredients and specifically check that the nuts or the olive oil. Second, one or two blitzes in a food processor are enough to make pesto sauce. Or use the traditional mortar and pestle to make the sauce.
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Faqs Related To Basil Pesto Pasta
How to store leftover basil pesto?
Transfer the pesto to an airtight container, drizzle some olive oil to cover the top, place a cling foil to cover the layer of olive oil. Close the lid of the container and store it in the refrigerator for 2 3 days. The color of the sauce might change after a day or so.
Can I eat raw pesto sauce?
Pesto sauce can be consumed either raw or cooked. It can be used as a dip, salad dressing, or as a gluten-free sandwich spread.
Can I reheat basil pesto pasta?
You can re-heat the pesto pasta on a stove-top or microwave. However, this may impact the taste, and color of the pasta. It will not be as fresh and flavourful. It is best to cook and serve immediately.
Instant Pot Spaghetti Aglio Olio
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Can I Use Store
I dont recommend store-bought shredded or grated Parmesan for the best Pesto Pasta, but if you do need to use it for a shortcut, use shredded instead of grated and reduce the Parmesan in the recipe to ½ cup instead of ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan. Store-bought grated Parmesan is more compact verses freshly grated which is more aerated so you will need less. You may also need to increase the olive oil.
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Try These On The Side
- Caprese Salad the combination of luscious tomatoes and bursts of acidity from the balsamic sauce is a winning combination. Any salad or steamed veggies that has been dressed with Italian dressing or balsamic vinegar
- Sprinkle over some halved cherry tomatoes and/or a handful of spinach or rocket/arugula while the pasta is cooking.
Recipes That Start With A Jar Of Pesto Sauce
To be clear, we adore the Barefoot Contessa do not misunderstand us. However, when Ina Garten states that store-bought is good, it appears that it might not be fine all of the time. As much as we would want to be able to stroll into Inas garden with Jeffrey and select some fresh vegetables for an al fresco meal, occasionally supper consists of a package of pasta, a jar of sauce, and a bag of mixed greens and vegetables. And thats just great with me, you guys! Because the Southern LivingTest Kitchen experts understand that real life is rarely Barefoot Contessa-esque, they frequently rely on prepared foods such as rotisserie chicken and frozen tortellini to save time in the kitchen.
These recipes make use of a bright and zingy pesto to add color and flavor to jarred pasta sauce, which is a fantastic way to dress up a jar of pasta sauce on a budget.
Our Turkey, Pesto, and Fresh Mozzarella Sandwich will liven up your lunch hour, and our Spinach-Ravioli Lasagna will satisfy the kids as well as you.
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Sweet Pea Pesto Crostini
A healthier version of my favorite celebrity chefs recipe was created by replacing part of the oil with veggie broth and using less cheese. Use this recipe for a pastelike pesto to serve on crostini as a garnish. To get a sauce-like consistency for serving over spaghetti, add extra broth. Amber Massey, from Argyle in Texas 12/40
Twisty Gemelli Can Trap Sauce Better Than Other Varieties
While pesto will be tasty with just about any pasta, some shapes work better to absorb and catch the herby, oily sauce. It’s for this reason that Taste of Home dubs the twisted, double-helix-shaped gemelli as the perfect pasta pairing.
If you don’t happen to have a box of gemelli on hand, Greatist shares that loosely curled casarecce, corkscrew-like fusilli, and twisted trofie also work amazingly as their curves, grooves, and curls allow pesto to fill every crevice. Naturally, if more surface area is coated, that ensures every bite is full of flavor.
If you’re looking for a way to step up your pasta and pesto game, why not make some changes to the traditional basil and pine nut pesto? For a creative take on the sauce, you can easily swap basil for different herbs like mint, parsley, or tarragon. Likewise, you can also switch up the nuts and replace them with walnuts, pistachios, hazelnuts, or almonds doesn’t that sound delicious?
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How To Use Pesto
Before we get into the recipes, lets discuss about what pesto is and how it is made. First and foremost, lets get this over with. Pesto, if you arent already aware with it, is a zesty basil sauce that is often used in Italian cooking and is quite tasty. Its generally cooked with fresh basil, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and garlic, however there are many variants on the theme. Pesto may be used in a plethora of different ways. Of course, theres pasta, but it may also be used in a variety of appetizers, pizza, and salads, among other things.
so feel free to use your imagination!
Ingredients for Pesto
Basil Pesto Pasta Ingredients
This easy Pesto Pasta recipe features homemade basil pesto sauce bursting with the herbaceous freshness of basil, the pungent zing of garlic, the salty, nuttiness of the freshly grated Parmigiana Reggiano, a sunny lift of citrus from the lemon juice, all underscored by the sweet, nutty, toasted pine nuts and rich olive oil. Toss in some pesto roasted vegetables, al dente pasta, and a dusting of freshly grated Parmesan and you wont be able to put your fork down! Heres what youll need to make this simple but delicious pasta recipe :
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Flavorful Pesto Salad Dressings
When choosing salad dressings, you dont want to have a bland dressing. Due to the delicious basil and olive oil found in pesto, it lends itself naturally to salad dressings. If you like a more viscous dressing, make sure to add a bit more olive oil to get the desired texture. Spice up any salad with the herbal nuttiness and flavorful cheesiness of pesto salad dressings.
Add It To A Charcuterie Board
Pestos saltiness pairs nicely with the smokey flavors of salami, pepperoni and almost any cheese.
Its easy to learn how to serve pesto as a dip. Simply place a ramekin of pesto sauce next to your honey brown mustard and pepper jelly cream cheese on the board. Your guests will show you what a great addition it is by devouring it, and youll appreciate this effortless use of pesto.
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Easy Pesto Pasta Recipe
Delicious and simple pesto pasta is a great summer dish to make quickly and easily. It may be served as a main meal or as a side dish, and it can be eaten either warm or cold, depending on your preference. The recipe includes step-by-step directions for making your own basil pesto, or you can save time and money by purchasing it pre-made. When it comes to summertime, one of my favorite things is the profusion of fresh herbs, especially basil! A delightful way to use up all of the lovely fresh basil growing in your garden or available at the farmers market, this Pesto Pasta dish is presented here.
It is necessary to make your own pesto sauce for this Pesto Pasta nevertheless, dont be intimidated by this!
Simply combine it with your favorite pasta and some toasted pine nuts, and youve got yourself a fantastic, healthy supper or side dish ready in about 20 minutes!
YUM!
What To Add To Pesto Pasta
For a more elevated pesto pasta dish, I prefer to top it with chopped cherry tomatoes and toasted pine nuts. The tomatoes give the meal a burst of fresh, tangy flavor, while the pine nuts lend a crunch to the dishs overall texture. Here are some more items that may be used to make Pesto Pasta:
- Sliced chicken, steak, or shrimp that has been cooked
- Chickpeas or white beans that have been cooked
- Cubes of salty feta cheese or shredded mozzarella
- Broccoli or cauliflower roasted in the oven
- Zucchini on the grill
- Almonds or walnuts that have been toasted
Tell me about some of your favorite Pesto Pasta ingredients to include.
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Assemble The Pesto Pasta
- Add the drained pasta to a mixing bowl.
- Add the prepared pesto and additional lemon juice.
- Toss to coat pasta in pesto, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time if needed to make the pasta silky and saucy, rather than dry and sticky.
- Stir in the roasted vegetables.
- Serve immediately, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan.
What Kind Of Pasta Goes With Pesto
There are lots of different kinds of pasta that work well with pesto. You can choose your favorite and go from there! Some amazing options include tortellini, bowtie, penne, rigatoni, orecchiette, or farfalle.
Ultimately this is up to you and what you have in your pantry or can find at the grocery store. This recipe is easily adaptable to fit exactly what you want.
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Tips From The Betty Crocker Kitchens
- 1. To julienne basil leaves quickly and easily, stack the leaves and wrap them up lengthwise like a cigar
- Then cut the leaves into thin strips starting from one end of the cigar and working your way around the cigar. Serving suggestions: a fresh green salad and a crusty piece of bread make for a delicious supper.
How To Make Basil Pesto Pasta
It is a very simple, straightforward process that requires minimal cooking.
Cook Pasta: Boil water in a saucepan with salt. Add the desired shape of pasta and cook till al-dente. Reserve 1 cup of boiled pasta water. Drain the remaining water. Transfer the cooked pasta to a mixing bowl
Make Pesto Sauce: Start with blending the ingredients in a food processor to make the pesto sauce.
Combine: Add pesto sauce to the cooked pasta. Mix nicely, add ¼ cup of reserved pasta water to make it saucy. Add the remaining ¼ cup of water, cream, cherry tomato, mix, and the basil pesto pasta is ready to serve.
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Meal Prep Pesto Pasta
This Pesto Pasta recipe can be made completely in advance or you can prepare the individual ingredients ahead of time:-Pesto: Can be prepared and refrigerated for up to three days. Its a fresh sauce, so it doesnt have a long shelf life. -Parmesan: Can be grated and stored in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use.-Veggies: Can be chopped or sliced, then stored in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to roast. I dont recommend roasting the veggies and then assembling the pasta at a later date. Roast the veggies just before assembling the pasta for the best flavor and texture.
How Do I Know If Pesto Has Gone Bad
The second classic sign of spoilage is an off or rotten smell. If the sauce doesn’t smell fresh like it usually does, it’s past its prime, and you should discard it. Next in line are the basil leaves. If they’ve changed color from green to brownish, it’s a good indicator that the pesto should be discarded.
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Make It A Meal: What To Serve With Pesto Pasta
What to serve with spaghetti pesto? This is an especially good question if youre making this as a vegan or vegetarian dinner idea. Its important to integrate a source of plant-based protein so that the meal is filling. Here are some options for what to serve as a side dish with pesto pasta:
- White beans. Our top choice are these 5-minute Easy Cannellini Beans or Easy White Beans: theyre Mediterranean style and add a great kick of protein.
- Green salads: Make a salad that has nuts or cheese, like Easy Arugula Salad, Caprese Salad, Italian Salad, or Classic Spinach Salad.
Use It As A Protein Topper
Did you know many sauces and marinades are loaded with sugar? Skip the glycemic spike. Opt for pesto at your next cookout.
When it comes to proteins, what goes with pesto?
Our top recommendation is grilled chicken. The smokey charred edges truly enhance the vibrant leafy flavor of the basil.
But have you ever tried pesto on steak? You may not ever grab steak sauce again. Step up the savoriness by whipping one tablespoon of pesto into two tablespoons of butter. Place a spoonful on top of your hot-off-the-grill steak and watch it melt into the fibers.
Pesto also goes wonderfully on salmon steaks. Try baking your next salmon filet with a layer of pesto and thin slices of lemons on top. The heat helps the juicy flavors seep into the meat.
No, we didnt forget about vegetarians and vegans. Almost all vegan proteins from tofu to tempeh seem made for a pesto marinade.
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