Best Penne With Pesto And Fresh Parmesan Recipes

PENNE WITH PESTO

Steps:

• Meanwhile, pluck the basil leaves from the stems (you should have about 2 cups leaves). Wash the leaves in a large bowl of cold water and dry in a salad spinner or pat dry with paper towels. Smash and peel the garlic.
• Put the basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. With the processor running, gradually add the olive oil and process until the pesto is smooth. Transfer the pesto to a large bowl and stir in the cheese. Season with the salt and some pepper.
• Bring a large pot of cold water to a boil over high heat and salt it generously. Add the penne and boil, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain in a colander and save about 1/4 cup pasta cooking water. Add the pasta to the bowl. Use tongs and toss with enough of the cooking water so the pesto coats the pasta evenly. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.
• Upgrades: a. Make the pesto creamy by adding 1/4 cup ricotta cheese when processing the basil, garlic, and pine nuts. This is great with tortellini or ravioli. b. Top dressed pesto pasta with 1/2 pound diced large or halved small fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), 3 medium tomatoes cut in large chunks, and 1/2 cup pitted black olives, (we like kalamata for this), roughly chopped. c. Add cooked 1 to 2 cups chicken or shrimp.
• Twists on Pesto: In place of basil, try the following combination: 1 cup parsley, 1 cup fresh spinach leaves, 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves, 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves. Substitute walnuts for the pine nuts

PESTO PENNE PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add penne pasta and a little bit salt, and cook till al dente (fully cooked but still firm) about 8-10 minutes, or according to package directions. Do not overcook the pasta. Turn off the heat and reserve at least 1/4 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta in a colander and let it cool for 1 minute.
• Transfer pasta into a large mixing bowl and add pesto and reserved pasta water (1/4 cup or more, if desired). Season with salt and pepper and toss well to coat. Stir in cherry tomatoes and parmesan cheese.
• Serve immediately. Sprinkle extra parmesan on top, if desired.

PENNE WITH PESTO AND FRESH PARMESAN

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package instructions.
• While pasta cooks, rinse tomatoes and basil and pat dry. Cut tomatoes into large chunks.
• Place tomatoes in a blender/food processor, add basil, almonds, garlic, red pepper flakes, and salt. Blend for 1 minute or until smooth.
• While machine still running, add olive oil in a steady steam (it will emulsify the mixture into a thick pesto).
• Scrape pesto into a large bowl. Drop drained pasta onto pesto and toss quickly to coat. Sprinkle on cheese and toss again.
• Enjoy!

PENNE WITH MUSHROOM PESTO

Steps:

• In a 6-quart kettle bring 5 quarts salted water to a boil for pasta.
• Make pesto:
• In a 10- to 12-inch non-stick skillet heat 1 tablespoon oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and sauté mushrooms with Worcestershire sauce, Sherry, and salt and pepper to taste, stirring, until liquid mushrooms give off is evaporated and mushrooms begin to brown, about 10 minutes.
• In a food processor purée mushroom mixture with garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan, and remaining 3 tablespoons oil. Add parsley and blend until parsley is chopped fine. Pesto keeps, surface covered with plastic wrap, chilled, 1 week.
• Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup cooking water and drain pasta.
• In a large bowl whisk together pesto and 2/3 cup reserved hot cooking water. Add pasta and toss well, thinning pesto, if necessary, with remaining reserved cooking water.

PENNE WITH TOMATOES, PESTO AND ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Heat 3 tablespoons oil reserved from artichokes in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté until onion is tender, about 7 minutes. Add tomatoes with their juices and artichokes. Simmer until sauce thickens slightly, about 8 minutes. Add pesto; simmer 1 minute longer. Mix in pasta and 1/3 cup cheese. Season pasta with salt and pepper.Transfer pasta to large bowl. Serve, passing additional Parmesan separately.