Simon Family Creamy Basil Pesto Pasta

Ingredients

• ⅓ cup pistachio nuts, pine nuts or walnuts
• 56g Parmesan cheese, finely grated (about ¾ cup)
• 4 cups loosely packed fresh basil leaves
• 3 garlic cloves, peeled
• 1 tsp salt (plus more to taste)
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ½ cup thickened cream
• 450g dried pasta
• ¾ cup reserved pasta water
  

Directions

1.    Toast the Nuts

• Place the nuts in a dry frying pan over medium heat.
• Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and fragrant (3–5 minutes).
• Transfer to a plate to cool.

2.    Make the Pesto (Vitamix A3500i Method)

• Add toasted nuts, grated Parmesan, and garlic to the Vitamix A3500i.
• Blend on low until finely chopped.
• Add basil leaves and salt, then blend again.
• With the motor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil, blending until a thick paste forms.
• Add the thickened cream and blend for another 30 seconds until smooth and creamy.
• Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

3.    Prepare the Pasta

• Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente.
• Reserve ¾ cup of the pasta water before draining.

4.    Combine & Serve

• Return drained pasta to the pot.
• Add all of the pesto and ¼ cup of the reserved pasta water.
• Toss to coat, adding more pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
• Taste and adjust seasoning if required.