Quick Basil Pesto Pasta

Ingredients

Servings

6 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 12 14 16

US / METRIC

2 cups

Fresh Basil

1 cup

Parmesan Cheese , freshly grated

1/4 cup

Pine Nuts , toasted

or Almonds, pistachios

1 clove

Garlic

1/4 cup

Butter

1/3 cup

Olive Oil

to taste

Ground Black Pepper

to taste

Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

2 lb

Pasta

Cooking Instructions

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Step 1

In a heavy-bottomed sauce pan add the Butter (1/4 cup) and melt over medium heat until just browned. Butter will melt, foam, and froth, and then begin to brown along the bottom. Whisk the browned bits off of the bottom of the pan. Set aside.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

Step 3

Meanwhile, finely chop the Fresh Basil (2 cups) and add it to a medium-size bowl.

Step 4

Chop the Pine Nuts (1/4 cup) and finely mince or grate the Garlic (1 clove) , add them to the bowl with the basil.

Step 5

Add the Parmesan Cheese (1 cup) , Olive Oil (1/3 cup) , and cooled brown butter (make sure to get all the brown bits out of the pan).

Step 6

Using a fork, mix well and then sort of mash all the ingredients together with the fork. If desired, add more olive oil until your desired consistency is reached.

Step 7

Boil the Pasta (2 lb) according to package directions. Drain and immediately toss the hot pasta with the pesto.

Step 8

Serve hot or at room temperature with Ground Black Pepper (to taste) and a pinch of Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (to taste) .