Pistachio Pesto
This homemade pistachio pesto recipe makes the ultimate pasta dish —Creamy, nutty, loaded with flavor, and ready in just 20 minutes!
Serving: 5
Calories: 717kcal
Ingredients
- 7 oz shelled unsalted pistachios, raw or dry roasted
- zest of ½ lemon,
- 2 tablespoon peeled almonds, optional
- ½ garlic clove, optional
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 10 basil leaves
- ½ cup water, warm
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- sea salt and black pepper to taste
- 14 oz pasta, such as rigatoni, penne or bucatini
- 2 tablespoon sun-dried tomatoes, chopped, optional
Instructions
- To make pistachio pesto, start by filling a small pot with water and bringing it to a boil. Add the shelled pistachios and cook for 1 minute to soften the skins. Drain the pistachios, transfer them to a bowl with cold water and ice for a few minutes, then drain again. Rub off the skins with a clean kitchen cloth.
- Place peeled pistachios, lemon zest, almonds, garlic, Parmesan, and basil into a small food processor. Pour in the warm water and blend until smooth, gradually drizzling in the olive oil. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil, then add the pasta and cook according to the package directions.
- Drain the pasta 2 minutes before the suggested cooking time, for al dente pasta. Reserve 2 tablespoons of pasta cooking water.
- Transfer the drained pasta to a large bowl and toss it with the pistachio pesto, adding a splash of reserved pasta water as needed for a creamier texture. Finish with chopped sun-dried tomatoes and a sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper, if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
How to store pistachio pesto
- Fridge: Store pistachio pesto in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it will keep well for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: This pesto freezes wonderfully! Simply portion it into freezer-safe containers and store in the freezer for up to 1 month.
- Reheat: I recommend reheating it on the stove and add a little fresh cream or warm water to keep its creaminess.
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Nutrition
Calories: 717kcal | Carbohydrates: 73g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 22g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 172mg | Potassium: 686mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 241IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 192mg | Iron: 3mg
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.