One-Pot Lemon Basil Pesto Pasta is an easy, zesty, lemony, and refreshing Pasta recipe. It's so easy to make and is an easy One Pot recipe which takes just 15 minutes to cook from scratch. Penne Pasta is cooked until al dente and then it is smeared with some burnt garlic, lemon basil Pesto sauce, Sundried Tomatoes, some Cherry Tomatoes, and some topped with loads of fresh basil and freshly grated Parmesan.
Lemon Basil is one of my favorite go-to summer ingredients combinations. From Lemon Basil Pasta to Lemon Basil Risotto, it just feels so right for summer. Plus the colorful plate just does the perfect job in lifting up my dull mood, especially on a boring summer day, where you are stuck at home all day! I don't think I can do justice into describing the divine fragrance of Lemon and basil. It just feels so refreshing and sublime - just so Summer-y!
Let's talk taste
This Lemon Basil Pesto Pasta has a lemony and citrusy flavor to it which is so well complemented by the sweetness of the basil sauce, the fresh basil on the top and of course, the creamy Parmesan just brings it all together and gives a fresh creamy and lemony taste to your palate. It just feels so perfect for the Summers. Be it for a quick Summer evening dinner or just a comforting Pasta recipe which you crave for when you are too tired to get out and cook!
A DETAILED VIDEO GUIDE TO THIS RECIPE
Let's talk Ingredients
Penne Pasta - For this I have used Penne Pasta. Well, actually this is a really versatile recipe and you can use any kind of Pasta you have at home. I really love this with Angel Hair or with Ziti or with Fusili.
The Lemon-Basil Sauce - Lemon Basil sauce is actually really easy to make. All you need is some fresh Basil leaves, two garlic cloves, some Olive oil, a teaspoon of Pesto sauce, Lemon Juice, White Wine Vinegar, and season it with salt and pepper. Blend it all together and your easy Lemon Basil sauce is ready. Just smell it once, trust me it'll feel like you are smelling the early morning Summer breeze.
If you want you can add some Chives and Olives to this as well. It tastes really good in a Lemon Basil sauce and brings out a bright green color to it.
Burnt Garlic - I think, this is my hero of the recipe. I love the burnt garlic flavor in my Pesto pasta. It just brings in a nice Asian touch to the recipe. Also, it tastes nutty which I love.
Sundried Tomatoes - Sundried Tomatoes brings in a wonderful chewiness to this Pasta. It adds to the comfort level of the recipe.
Cherry Tomatoes - Cherry Tomatoes brings in a colorful vibrance to the dish. Also it accentuates the Lemon Basil flavor.
How to make One Pot Lemon Basil Pesto Pasta
First you start by cooking your pasta in a pot of boiling water with some salt. Once it's cooked, drain the water and keep aside.
Next, make the Lemon Basil sauce by throwing in all the ingredients and making a smooth, green, and fragrant Lemon Basil Pesto Sauce.
Next, heat some Olive oil in a pan and throw in the garlic. Toss it until it starts to smoke and gets slightly burnt. Add the Cooked Pasta to it followed by the Lemon Basil Pesto Sauce.
Add the Sundried Tomatoes and Cherry Tomatoes to it. Season it with some salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Take it out and top with some fresh basil leaves and freshly grated Parmesan Cheese.
So, that's how you make One-pot Lemon Basil Pesto Pasta. It's a really easy One pot meal which the whole family would love to enjoy together. It's also a One-Pot meal which means easy cleanup and less work after dinner.
Other variations to this recipe
There are so many variations that can be done in this recipe.
As you might have noticed I have not used any Protein into making this Pasta. But that's totally optional. You can add shredded Chicken, Italian Sausages or even Fish - especially Salmon goes great with this. If you are making it Vegan you can use Cauliflower or Broccoli into this recipe.
One-Pot Lemon Basil Pesto Pasta
INGREDIENTS
- ½ Cup Penne Pasta
- 7-8 cloves Garlic minced
- 2-3 pieces Sundried Tomatoes
- 2 small-sized Cherry Tomatoes
- 3-4 Basil leaves
- ¼ Cup Parmesan freshly grated
Lemon Basil Pesto Sauce
- 1 bunch Basil Leaves
- 2 Cloves Garlic
- 1 tablespoon Pesto Sauce
- 1 teaspoon White Wine Vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Zest
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper freshly ground
INSTRUCTIONS
- First, cook the pasta in boiling water until al-dente. Once cooked, strain the water and keep aside.
- Next make the Lemon Basil Pesto sauce by adding all the ingredients in a blender and blend to a smooth sauce.
- Heat olive oil in a pan and add the minced garlic cloves. Allow it to get slightly burnt and then add the cooked Pasta. Add the Lemon Basil Pesto sauce over it. Also add the Sundried Tomates and Cherry Tomatoes into it and season it with salt and pepper.
- Take it out in a bowl and top with some fresh basil leaves and grated Parmesan Cheese.
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