Pesto tagliatelle is a classic Italian pasta dish that combines the rich, nutty flavor of pesto sauce with tender strands of tagliatelle. This simple yet satisfying meal has its roots in the Ligurian region of Italy, where pesto originated.
The star of the show is undoubtedly the pesto sauce itself – a vibrant green sauce made from fresh basil leaves, toasted pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and high-quality extra virgin olive oil.
A simple Tagliatelle with pesto for a quick weeknight dinner!
Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight meal or a dish to impress guests, pesto tagliatelle is a versatile and crowd-pleasing option that showcases the best of Italian cuisine.
Tagliatelle, a long, flat ribbon-shaped pasta, provides the perfect canvas for the pesto sauce to cling to. Its eggy richness and slight chewiness complement the boldness of the pesto, resulting in a harmonious balance of textures and flavors.
Recipe highlights
- Fresh, vibrant flavors: The star of the dish, the pesto sauce, is made with fresh basil leaves, combined with the nutty notes from toasted pine nuts and the tang of Parmesan cheese, every bite is packed full of flavor.
- Easy to prepare: Despite its impressive flavors, pesto tagliatelle is surprisingly simple to make. The pesto sauce can be whipped up in minutes, and the tagliatelle pasta cooks quickly making this recipe beginner friendly.
- Versatile: While the classic recipe is a delight on its own, pesto tagliatelle also serves as a versatile base for additional ingredients. Want to add some protein? Grilled chicken or sautéed shrimp make excellent additions. Prefer a vegetarian option? Toss in some roasted veggies or sun-dried tomatoes for a heartier meal.
- Perfect for any occasion: Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight dinner, a dish to impress guests at a dinner party, or a satisfying meal to meal-prep for the week, pesto tagliatelle ticks all the boxes.
Ingredients
- ½ pound dry Tagliatelle pasta
- 2 tablespoons Pine nuts
- 2 bunches of fresh Basil
- 2 Garlic cloves
- 5 tablespoons Olive oil
- 3 tablespoons Grated Parmesan
- ⅓ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ teaspoon black pepper
* Need to print out this recipe? You’ll find a printable recipe card at the end of this post. Enjoy!
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- Pasta pot
- Colander
- Food processor
How to make Pesto tagliatelle
This is an overview of the recipe with step by step photos. Scroll down to end of post for a printable recipe card with the amount of ingredients and full recipe instructions.
Add all the pesto ingredients into a food processor and blend till smooth.
Cook tagliatelle according to package instructions, drain.
Pour the pesto over it and toss to coat. Serve warm.
What to serve with Pesto Tagliatelle
You can serve with proteins like chicken ricotta meatballs, baked chicken, beef or fish. This air fryer fish or this pan fried kielbasa sausages would be great to serve with this recipe.
You can also serve with Mexican chicken salad or any simple salad you like.
Drinks and desserts are not left out! Our Brownie balls and Pomegranate lemonade are great options.
How to store
Pesto tagliatelle is best enjoyed immediately to get the best of the fresh pesto sauce as reheating the mixed pasta means the taste may change slightly since you are cooking the sauce too.
Having said that, to store, let it cool completely. Transfer to an air tight contain and store in the refrigerator for 3 to five days.
Helpful Tips
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients: The beauty of this dish lies in the simplicity of its ingredients. Fresh basil leaves, good quality Parmesan cheese, and high-quality extra virgin olive oil will make a big difference in the final flavor.
- Toast the pine nuts: Toasting the pine nuts before adding them to the pesto sauce enhances their nutty flavor and aroma. Keep an eye on them while toasting, as they can burn quickly.
- Cook the pasta al dente: For the best texture, cook the tagliatelle pasta until it's al dente, which means it still has a slight bite to it.
- Reserve some pasta cooking water: Before draining the pasta, scoop out about ½ cup of the starchy cooking water. This can be used to thin out the pesto sauce if it becomes too thick when tossing with the pasta.
FAQs
Yes you can. Bring the sauce to room temperature while the pasta is cooking, then toss with the pasta after draining it.
it takes about 8 to 10 mins to cook tagliatelle to al dente. However, cook according to your package instructions.
Fettuccini, egg noodles or pappardelle are good substitutes for tagliatelle.
More easy recipes to try
- Pan fried steak tips
- Mashed potatoes for two
- Check out all our Home Cooked Recipes
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Pesto Tagliatelle Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ lb Tagliatelle pasta (substitute with Fettuccine)
- 2 tablespoon pine nuts
- 2 bunches Basil
- 2 cloves garlic
- 5 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoon grated parmesan
- ⅓ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ teaspoon pepper
- salt for cooking tagliatelle
Instructions
- Place all pesto ingredients in a blender. You don't have to add all the olive oil at once, you can add only ⅔ and then add the rest if necessary.
- Blend for 1-2 minutes until you get a smooth pesto.
- Bring salted water to boil and cook tagliatelle according to instructions then drain the water. (Reserve about ½ cup of paste water to lighten up the pesto if you find it too thick when tossing with pasta)
- Add pesto to the bowl or pan with the tagliatelle.
- Mix gently until the tagliatelle is completely coated with the pesto.
- Serve warm. Before serving, you can garnish with fresh basil, grated Parmesan and pine nuts.
Calli says
I have an abundance of fresh herbs that I have been growing and was not sure what to make with them. Now I know! I made your pesto tagliatelle recipe for dinner and it tasted awesome!!