{"id":"pasta_al_pesto_a477c28241","slug":"pasta-al-pesto","title":"Pasta al Pesto","description":"A classic Ligurian masterpiece featuring al dente pasta tossed in a vibrant, fragrant sauce made from fresh basil, toasted pine nuts, and sharp Italian cheeses.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":10,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"400g Trofie or Spaghetti","name":"Spaghetti","quantity":400,"unit":"g","usQuantity":14.1,"usUnit":"oz","form":"dried","notes":"Trofie or Spaghetti","group":"Main","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"50g fresh basil leaves","name":"Basil Leaves","quantity":50,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"2","usUnit":"cup","form":"fresh leaves","notes":"packed","group":"Pesto Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"2 garlic cloves","name":"Garlic","quantity":2,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"clove","form":"peeled","notes":"","group":"Pesto Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"30g pine nuts","name":"Pine Nuts","quantity":30,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"raw","notes":"","group":"Pesto Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"50g Parmigiano Reggiano","name":"Parmigiano Reggiano","quantity":50,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.8,"usUnit":"oz","form":"grated","notes":"","group":"Pesto Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"20g Pecorino Romano","name":"Pecorino Romano","quantity":20,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.7,"usUnit":"oz","form":"grated","notes":"","group":"Pesto Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"100ml Extra Virgin Olive Oil","name":"Olive Oil","quantity":100,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"extra virgin","notes":"","group":"Pesto Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1 pinch of coarse salt","name":"Salt","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"coarse","notes":"to taste","group":"Pesto Sauce","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.","group":"Preparation","title":"Bring a large pot of salted water","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"While the pasta cooks, prepare the pesto. In a mortar or food processor, combine the garlic and pine nuts, crushing or pulsing until a paste forms.","group":"Pesto Sauce","title":"Prepare the pesto","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Pesto Sauce"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Add the basil leaves and a pinch of salt. Crush or pulse gently. If using a processor, pulse in short bursts to avoid heating the basil, which can turn it bitter.","group":"Pesto Sauce","title":"Add the basil leaves and a pinch of salt","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Pesto Sauce"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Stir in the grated Parmigiano Reggiano and Pecorino Romano. Gradually pour in the olive oil while continuing to mix until the sauce reaches a creamy consistency.","group":"Pesto Sauce","title":"Stir in the grated Parmigiano Reggiano and Pecorino Romano","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Pesto Sauce"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Before draining the pasta, reserve about 1/2 cup of the cooking water. Drain the pasta and place it in a large serving bowl.","group":"Assembly","title":"Before draining the pasta, reserve about 1/2 cup of the cooking water","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Add the pesto sauce to the pasta along with a splash of the reserved cooking water. Toss well until the pasta is evenly coated and served immediately.","group":"Assembly","title":"Add the pesto sauce","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"}],"notes":"Always use the best quality extra virgin olive oil you can find. For the most traditional texture, use a marble mortar and pestle, though a food processor works for a quick weeknight version.","cuisine":{"group":"Italian","specific":["Ligurian"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["boil","noCook"],"equipment":["large pot","mortar and pestle","food processor","colander","large bowl"],"diet":["vegetarian"],"allergens":["wheat","gluten","milk","tree_nuts"],"difficulty":"easy","yield":{"amount":4,"unit":"servings","note":""},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Pesto can be made ahead. Store in a jar and cover the surface with a thin layer of olive oil to prevent oxidation."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store leftovers in an airtight container. Do not reheat at high temperatures as it will ruin the pesto flavor; enjoy at room temperature or gently warm.","reheatingNotes":"Add a little water or oil if it becomes too dry."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fpasta_al_pesto_a477c28241%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=5e429df3-fb18-4b5b-becd-0362854083df","imageAlt":"Pasta al Pesto — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["pasta","pesto","basil","italian","quick","vegetarian"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Pasta al Pesto","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T07:46:17.011Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T07:46:17.011Z","related":[{"id":"pane_e_marmellata_43c0347c11","slug":"bread-and-jam-pane-e-marmellata","title":"Bread and Jam (Pane e Marmellata)","description":"A classic Italian breakfast staple consisting of toasted rustic bread spread with creamy butter and sweet fruit preserves.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":2,"cookMinutes":3,"totalMinutes":5,"activeMinutes":5},"cuisine":{"group":"Italian","specific":["Italian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fpane_e_marmellata_43c0347c11%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=efcb1e5f-c2b8-42ca-b731-88339442711d","imageAlt":"Bread and Jam (Pane e Marmellata) — recipe cover","tags":["breakfast","italian","quick","easy","vegetarian","jam","toast"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":3,"stepCount":3},{"id":"tramezzino_15edd4f558","slug":"classic-venetian-tramezzino","title":"Classic Venetian Tramezzino","description":"A soft, crustless triangular sandwich from Venice, famously bulging with a creamy tuna and caper filling. Perfect for a quick snack or an elegant party appetizer.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":15,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Italian","specific":["Venetian"]},"course":["appetizer","main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["pescatarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Ftramezzino_15edd4f558%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=14cd5582-7e6b-462b-87bf-bab1e0e157fc","imageAlt":"Classic Venetian Tramezzino — recipe cover","tags":["italian","sandwich","tuna","venice","easy","no-cook","party-food"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":4},{"id":"orecchiette_alle_cime_di_rapa_fce72e0854","slug":"orecchiette-with-broccoli-rabe","title":"Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe","description":"A classic Apulian pasta dish featuring ear-shaped orecchiette, bitter broccoli rabe, garlic, chili, and anchovies for a savory, rustic finish.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Italian","specific":["Apulian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["pescatarian","low_fat","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Forecchiette_alle_cime_di_rapa_fce72e0854%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=3ca85815-37a0-40ac-a20c-fe612450854a","imageAlt":"Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe — recipe cover","tags":["pasta","healthy","broccoli rabe","italian","traditional","puglia"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":6}]}