pesto Pasta
Pasta al Pesto is a vibrant and flavorful dish highlighted by the basil and lemon flavors of pesto. While it’s rooted in the Italian culinary tradition, this recipe has found a welcoming home in California, where fresh produce is bountiful.
You can use either store bought or homemade pesto to make this pasta dish. For a heartier dish, top your pasta with pesto chicken or serve with a side of olive oil bread dip.
Why Is This a California Recipe
California’s agricultural bounty makes it an ideal place for Pasta al Pesto to flourish. Fresh basil, locally produced olive oil, and high-quality cheeses are readily available year-round. The dish embodies California’s culinary philosophy of using fresh, seasonal ingredients to create simple yet flavorful meals.
Pasta al Pesto Tips
Here are a few important tips I recommend following when making pesto pasta.
- Work Quickly: Toss the pasta and pesto while the pasta is still hot to help the sauce cling better.
- Avoid Overheating Pesto: Heat can dull the bright green color and fresh flavor of the sauce. If warming the dish, do so gently.
More Fresh Recipes
Pasta al Pesto with Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts, skinless and boneless (*Note 1)
- 1 cup pesto sauce, divided
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
- 1 lb dried pasta (*Note 2)
- salt, to taste
- black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly mist a baking dish with cooking spray or line with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Pound chicken to even thickness with a meat mallet.
- Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Coat each piece of chicken with 2 tbsp of pesto.
- Transfer the chicken to the baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165℉.
- Coat the tomatoes in 1 tbsp of olive oil and transfer them to the baking sheet with the chicken for the last 7-10 minutes of cook time. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes.
- While the chicken is baking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente, according to the package directions.
- Drain the pasta and toss with the remaining pesto. Once combined, divide into individual serving bowls. Top each bowl with a chicken breast and blistered tomatoes. Garnish with parmesan cheese if desired.