Basil Almond Pesto Pasta | Step wise pictures |Nithya's Nalabagam

Pesto sauce is origin of Italy. It is prepared with basil, garlic, pine nuts, Olive oil and Parmesan cheese. I have replaced pine nuts with almonds. I have also tried with walnuts. Creamy green pesto gives a nice texture and taste to the recipe. Traditionally the pesto is prepared with mortar and pestle. Basil pesto pasta is a simple, quick and healthy pasta. Please check below for step by step instructions and pictures for preparing Basil Pesto Pasta.

Preparation Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Ready in: 30 mins
Yields: 2 servings

Ingredients:
Table 1:

Pasta of your choice	2 Cups
Grated Parmesan Cheese	For Garnishing
Sun dried tomatoes	For Garnishing

Table 2: Pesto sauce preparation

Basil Leaves (tightly packed)	2 Cups
Chopped almonds	2 tbsp
Olive oil	2 tsp
Garlic cloves chopped	1 tsp
Grated Parmesan Cheese	1/2 Cup

Instructions:

Cook pasta in a large pan of boiling water along with salt as per instructions given in pasta packet.Drain excessive water by placing pasta in colander.Reserve 1/4 cup water.

Pesto sauce preparation:

Wash basil leaves in running water for 3-4 times and keep it ready. Dry roast almonds till they turn golden colour.

Heat olive oil in a pan. Add chopped garlic cloves and fry till raw smell goes off. Grind basil leaves, garlic cloves, almonds and 1/2 cup of cheese into smooth paste in blender by adding enough reserved water (Got from draining cooked pasta).