Fresh Homemade Basil Pesto Pasta

This authentic Italian basil pesto pasta showcases the vibrant flavors of fresh basil, toasted pine nuts, and aged Italian cheeses, all brought together with perfectly cooked pasta. The traditional Ligurian addition of tender potatoes and green beans creates a complete, satisfying meal that celebrates the essence of simple, quality ingredients. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with a silky, aromatic sauce that clings to every strand.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 12

Total Time 27

Servings: 4

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Calories: 848

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

For the Homemade Pesto

80 g fresh basil leaves about 4 packed cups, stems removed
50 g pine nuts lightly toasted
2 small garlic cloves 10g, roughly chopped
60 g Parmigiano-Reggiano finely grated, plus extra for serving
30 g Pecorino Romano finely grated
120 ml extra-virgin olive oil plus more for drizzling
15 ml fresh lemon juice
5 g fine sea salt
2 g freshly ground black pepper

For the Pasta

400 g dried pasta preferably trofie, linguine, or gemelli
150 g green beans trimmed and cut into 3cm pieces
120 g Yukon Gold potatoes peeled and diced into 1cm cubes
Salt for pasta water

Method

Prepare the Vegetables

Bring a large pot of water to boil and salt generously until it tastes like the sea. Add the 120g diced potatoes and cook for 5 minutes, then add the 150g green beans and cook for 3 more minutes until both vegetables are tender. Use a spider or slotted spoon to transfer the vegetables to a bowl, reserving all the cooking water in the pot.

Make the Homemade Pesto

While the vegetables cook, prepare the pesto using a mortar and pestle or food processor. Add the 50g pine nuts and 10g garlic with a pinch of salt, pounding or pulsing until a rough paste forms. Add half of the 80g basil leaves and work them into the mixture until broken down. Add the remaining basil and continue until you achieve a textured paste that's not completely smooth. Transfer to a medium bowl and stir in the 60g Parmigiano-Reggiano and 30g Pecorino Romano until well combined. Slowly drizzle in the 120ml olive oil while stirring constantly to emulsify. Add the 15ml lemon juice and 2g black pepper, then taste and adjust salt as needed.

Cook the Pasta

Return the vegetable cooking water to a rolling boil and add the 400g pasta. Cook according to package directions until al dente, usually 10-12 minutes. Reserve 240ml (1 cup) of the starchy pasta water before draining the pasta.

Combine and Emulsify

Return the drained pasta to the pot over low heat. Add all the pesto and 120ml of the reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously for 1-2 minutes, adding more pasta water as needed, until the sauce becomes creamy and clings to every strand of pasta. The starch in the pasta water will help create a silky, emulsified sauce.

Add Vegetables and Serve

Add the cooked potatoes and green beans to the pasta and toss gently to combine, allowing the potatoes to break down slightly and add body to the sauce. Divide among four warm bowls, drizzle each serving with extra-virgin olive oil, add freshly cracked black pepper, and serve immediately with extra Parmigiano-Reggiano at the table.

Notes

- The traditional Ligurian technique of adding potatoes and green beans enriches the sauce with starch from the potatoes while the green beans add subtle sweetness that perfectly complements the basil.

- Always use room-temperature ingredients for the best pesto emulsion, as cold basil bruises more easily and cold cheese won't incorporate as smoothly into the oil.

- Reserve extra pasta water—it's the secret to achieving that restaurant-quality creamy consistency that makes the sauce cling perfectly to the pasta without being oily.