This is such a delicious and easy weeknight dinner the whole family will enjoy. Making your own pesto from scratch is key! You can immediately taste the fresh basil, garlic, and parmesan. Sautee in some tomatoes and asparagus to complete your pasta!
Prep time: 20 minutes. Cook time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
Homemade Pesto:
-2 full cups of fresh basil leaves (stems removed, basil washed and dried)
-1/3 pine nuts
-3 cloves of garlic
-1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan (I use Locatelli Romano)
-1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil light
-1/4 teaspoon salt
-1/4 teaspoon pepper
-1/8 red pepper flakes
-Pasta of your choice (I prefer cavatappi with pesto!)
-1 pint of red cherry or grape tomatoes
-Asparagus (wash and cut a quarter of the ends off)
-1 clove of garlic (whole)
-1 tablespoon of olive oil
-1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan
Next Step:
-Make your pesto sauce. In a blender add the basil, pine nuts, garlic, parmesan, olive oil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix until smooth. Set aside.
-Put a large pot of water on to boil.
-Slice all of the tomatoes, (I like to cut them vertically from the top). Then season with salt and pepper.
-Add a dash of salt to your boiling water and add your pasta. Remember to stir and set a timer. I enjoy my pasta al dente. *With 5 minutes left to go on your pasta add your asparagus.
-While your pasta is cooking, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to your skillet and heat. Add your clove of garlic and stir for 1 minute to season your oil. After a minute, take out your garlic and add the tomatoes. Sautee on low-medium heat until they start to breakdown and get soft.
-Before you drain your pasta, scoop out 1/2 cup of "pasta" water.
-Drain your pasta and asparagus.
-Quickly add the pasta and asparagus to the tomatoes in the skillet (at this point your heat setting should be on the lowest) and add your pesto sauce. Add 1/4 cup of pasta water and stir until fully combined. Once combined add the remaining parmesan cheese.
-Serve with warm, cheesy garlic bread and ENJOY!!!
*For more recipes, please visit my Instagram page @a.sprinkle.of.sweet
