Indulge in the symphony of flavors and textures with our delectable Perlini Pasta with Pesto recipe. Perlini, also known as "little pearls," are small, round pasta that perfectly capture the vibrant flavors of pesto. This delightful dish combines the nutty richness of pine nuts, the aromatic freshness of basil, and the sharp tang of Parmesan cheese, creating a harmonious balance that tantalizes the taste buds. Accompany this classic pesto pasta with a medley of grilled vegetables, such as zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers, for a colorful and flavorful summertime meal. Alternatively, explore variations like the vibrant Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto or the creamy Avocado Pesto, each offering a unique twist on the traditional pesto recipe. Whether you prefer a classic or a contemporary take on pesto pasta, this article has something to satisfy every palate.
Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!
JUICY PESTO PASTA!
Recipe video above. This is how to make a great pesto pasta that's slick with pesto sauce without adding tons and tons of oil which makes it overly oily. The secret is using the pasta cooking water - it emulsifies with the oil in the pesto which makes it cling to every strand of pasta. A technique used in every Italian household! Make this with homemade pesto for the best flavour.
Provided by Nagi
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to the boil with the salt.
- Add pasta and cook for the length of time per the packet.
- Just before draining, scoop out 1 cup of of the pasta cooking water.
- Drain pasta in a colander, leave it for a minute.
- Transfer pasta to a bowl (do not use pasta cooking pot, too hot).
- Add pesto and 1/4 cup of pasta water. Toss to coat pasta in pesto, adding more water if required to make pasta silky and saucy, rather than dry and sticky.
- Taste, add more salt and pepper if desired.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parmesan.
PORCINI PESTO PASTA
Steps:
- For the pasta: Soak the dried porcini mushrooms in 1 cup hot tap water for 25 minutes to rehydrate.
- Lay the lasagna sheets out on a cutting board and cut into long strips about 1 1/2 centimeters (3/4-inch) wide.
- Meanwhile, in the bowl of a small food processor or a mortar and pestle, combine the basil, tarragon, Pecorino, walnuts and garlic and blitz to finely chop. Add the olive oil and season with salt and pepper and continue to blitz until well combined but still a bit textured.
- Heat the butter in a sauté pan over medium heat and add in the shallot. Season with salt and pepper and cook until tender and just slightly golden, about 3 minutes.
- Meanwhile, remove the porcini mushrooms from their liquid and reserve both. Gently squeeze the mushrooms to remove excess water and roughly chop. Add to the pan and continue to cook on medium heat until the mushrooms are lightly golden, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the white wine and cook for 2 minutes, or until most of the wine has been absorbed. Pour 1/2 cup of the porcini steeping liquid into the pan, being careful to leave any grit that may have settled at the bottom of the liquid behind and discard the rest. Simmer until the liquid has reduced by about half.
- Place a large pot of water over high heat, season well with salt and bring to a boil. Cook the pasta for 2 to 3 minutes, or just until al dente. Reserving approximately 1 cup of cooking liquid, transfer the pasta from the pot directly into the mushroom mixture and stir in the herby pesto. Add a few tablespoons of the pasta cooking liquid to bring everything together and turn the heat down to low and allow the pasta to keep warm while you make the crunchy topping.
- For the topping: Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add in the panko and cook, stirring constantly, until golden and crisp, about 1 minute. Transfer the panko to a small bowl and allow it to cool slightly before tossing in the Pecorino, lemon zest and herbs. Then season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Add a splash more of the pasta cooking liquid to the pasta if it seems a bit thick. Serve immediately sprinkled with the topping and additional Pecorino, if desired.
PESTO PASTA RECIPE WITH TOMATOES AND MOZZARELLA
Here's how to make the best pesto pasta, perfectly coated in sauce for maximum flavor! Add in juicy roasted tomatoes and fresh mozzarella for the perfect dinner.
Provided by Suzy Karadsheh
Categories Main Course
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Heat the oven to 450 degrees F and arrange a rack in the middle.
- In a larger bowl, toss the tomatoes with kosher salt, black pepper, garlic and extra virgin olive oil. Transfer to a sheet-pan and bake in heated oven 25 to 35 minutes or just until the tomatoes collapse and develop some char (if you don't want them too soft, take the tomatoes out earlier). When ready, remove from the oven. (See notes)
- While the tomatoes are roasting, cook the spaghetti in boiling water according to the package to al dente (about 10 minutes). Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta.
- Transfer the cooked spaghetti to a large bowl (same bowl used earlier for the tomatoes). Add the pesto and toss to coat. If you need to, add a little bit of the pasta cooking water to help mix it evenly. Taste, and if needed, add a bit of kosher salt and black pepper to season.
- Add the roasted tomatoes and mozzarella to the bowl of pasta. Toss to combine. Serve warm. Garnish with fresh basil, if you like.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 516.4 kcal, Carbohydrate 66 g, Protein 16.6 g, Fat 20.8 g, SaturatedFat 4.2 g, Cholesterol 10.1 mg, Sodium 412.2 mg, Fiber 4.9 g, Sugar 7.3 g, ServingSize 1 serving
PESTO PENNE PRIMAVERA
This is a recipe you can serve hot or cold. A great side-dish or can be a full meal. My kids love this and it's always a hit. You could also add poached or grilled chicken. You can also freeze any leftover pesto for later use.
Provided by Mikey's Kitchen
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Squash Summer Squash
Time 40m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Combine the basil, garlic, 1/4 cup pine nuts, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup olive oil, and lemon juice in a food processor and blend until well combined and has the texture of fresh pesto; set aside.
- Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta in boiling water until cooked yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes; drain. Transfer the pasta to a large bowl. Pour 1 tablespoon olive oil over the pasta and toss to coat; set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Roast the pine nuts in the skillet until lightly browned; remove to a plate and set aside. Add the asparagus, zucchini, Kalamata olives, roasted red pepper, and sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet; cook and stir until hot, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir the pine nuts into the vegetable mixture. Add the pasta and about 1/4 cup of the pesto, or more to your liking, to the skillet and toss to combine. Serve in bowls topped with the grated Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 367.5 calories, Carbohydrate 34.4 g, Cholesterol 8.8 mg, Fat 20.6 g, Fiber 3.1 g, Protein 12.6 g, SaturatedFat 4.3 g, Sodium 412.6 mg, Sugar 3.1 g
PESTO PASTA
Easy to make, but full of flavor! Good hot or cold.
Provided by Lauren
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 15m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling water until done. Drain.
- Meanwhile, heat the oil in a frying pan over medium low heat. Add pesto, onion, and salt and pepper. Cook about five minutes, or until onions are soft.
- In a large bowl, mix pesto mixture into pasta. Stir in grated cheese. Serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 224.7 calories, Carbohydrate 32 g, Cholesterol 43.5 mg, Fat 7.2 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 7.8 g, SaturatedFat 1.5 g, Sodium 71.3 mg, Sugar 0.4 g
SILKY BLENDER PESTO PASTA SAUCE WITH FETTUCCINE
Provided by Valerie Bertinelli
Time 25m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions.
- Add the basil leaves to a large bowl, then cover with cold water and let sit while you start the pesto. To a blender, add the pine nuts, garlic, pepper, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 pepper and half the olive oil. Turn the blender to high and process until the mixture is smooth and looks like a liquidy nut butter. Drain the basil leaves, but do not pat them dry. (The excess water will help create a smooth and silky sauce.) Add the basil leaves to the blender along with the remaining olive oil. Cover the blender and process until completely smooth. Add the cheeses and process until just combined. Set aside.
- Before draining the pasta, reserve 1 cup pasta water. Drain the pasta and add it back to the pasta pot. Add the pesto and 1/2 cup pasta water. Turn the heat to low and toss together until the sauce is silky and clinging to the pasta, adding more pasta water if necessary.
- Transfer the pasta to bowls and top with extra Parmesan. Serve.
PERLINI PASTA WITH PESTO
This is a wonderful, light pasta that can be purchased at specialty stores like Trader Joes's, Whole Foods or Bristol Farms. They look like little purses or pockets. I love working with this pasta, because the nooks in the top of the pasta, hold the pesto sauce very nicely. This is my original recipe! Enjoy! The pasta not only tastes good, it is a conversation piece!
Provided by Heather Moloian
Categories < 15 Mins
Time 15m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to boil. Meanwhile in a food processor, prepare the pesto sauce.
- In a food processor, combine the nuts and garlic. Process to chop coarsely. Add the basil and olive oil and process to a coarse paste. Add the cheese and process briefly, just to incorporate it. The pesto should be fairly smooth, but have texture. Season with salt to your desired taste.
- Put the perlini pasta in a large shallow dish and gently cover the entire pasta with the pesto sauce. Serve immediately on a dinner plate. I recommend a side of my garlic asparagus (look for my recipe under this title). :).
- Garnish and add sides to your liking. Enjoy!
PARMESAN-PESTO TORTELLINI
Make perfect Parmesan-Pesto Tortellini in just 20 minutes with the help of some ready-made pasta. Add garlic, basil and olive oil to complete this entrée.
Provided by My Food and Family
Categories Recipes
Time 20m
Yield 6 servings, 1 cup each
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Cook tortellini as directed on package, omitting salt.
- Meanwhile, process basil, cheese and garlic in food processor until well blended. With motor running, gradually add oil through feed tube at top, processing until well blended.
- Drain tortellini; place in large bowl. Add pesto; mix lightly.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 470, Fat 28 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 45 mg, Sodium 470 mg, Carbohydrate 40 g, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 2 g, Protein 15 g
Tips:
- Cook the pasta al dente: This means that the pasta should be cooked until it is firm to the bite. Overcooked pasta will be mushy and will not hold the pesto sauce as well.
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the pesto sauce will be. Look for fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, and olive oil.
- Toast the pine nuts: Toasting the pine nuts will bring out their flavor and make them more香ばしい (fragrant). You can toast them in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes, or in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes.
- Use a food processor or blender to make the pesto sauce: This will help to create a smooth and emulsified sauce. If you don't have a food processor or blender, you can also chop the basil, garlic, and pine nuts by hand.
- Season the pesto sauce to taste: Add salt, pepper, and grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is flavorful and balanced.
- Serve the pasta with the pesto sauce immediately: The pesto sauce is best when it is fresh. You can also store the pesto sauce in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months.
Conclusion:
Perlini pasta with pesto is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. The pesto sauce is flavorful and versatile, and can also be used on other types of pasta, vegetables, or even as a spread for sandwiches. With a few simple tips, you can make a delicious and impressive meal that your family and friends will love.
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