Description
Indulge in a delightful dish of pasta with a twist – sun-dried tomato pesto and mozzarella pearls elevate this Italian classic to a whole new level. The rich flavors of the pesto combined with the creamy mozzarella pearls create a mouthwatering experience that’s both comforting and luxurious.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 12 ounces pasta (such as fusilli or penne)
Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto:
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil (drained)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 cup mozzarella pearls
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves (chopped)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
- Prepare the Pesto: In a food processor, combine the sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, toasted pine nuts, and garlic. Pulse until finely chopped. With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil and lemon juice until a smooth pesto forms. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine and Serve: Toss the warm pasta with the sun-dried tomato pesto, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach your desired consistency. Gently stir in the mozzarella pearls and chopped basil. Serve warm or at room temperature, garnished with extra basil if desired.
Notes
- For added protein, top with grilled chicken or shrimp.
- Store any leftover pesto in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
