Indulge in the authentic flavors of Italy with our delicious Trofie al Pesto recipe. This Ligurian specialty combines tender pasta with vibrant basil pesto for a dish that's bursting with Mediterranean charm.
6tablespoonsgrated Pecorino Romano cheese1.5 ounces
1/2cupreserved pasta water
Instructions
Cook the Trofie Pasta:
In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add a generous pinch of salt to the boiling water.
Add the trofie pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
Before draining the cooked pasta, reserve about a cup of pasta water. You'll likely only need about 1/2 cup for the sauce, but it's never a bad idea to reserve extra just in case.
Set aside the reserved pasta water and proceed with draining the cooked pasta.
Prepare the Pesto:
In a food processor fitted with the blade attachment, combine basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, a pinch of salt, grated Parmesan cheese, and Pecorino Romano cheese.
Process until the basil leaves are finely chopped and all ingredients are well combined.
With the motor running, gradually pour in the olive oil in a steady stream until the pesto sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
Combine the Sauce and Pasta Water:
Transfer the freshly made pesto sauce to a large mixing bowl.
Gradually whisk in the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until the sauce reaches your preferred consistency.
Toss and Serve:
Add the cooked trofie pasta to the bowl with the pesto sauce and gently toss until evenly coated.
If desired, garnish with additional grated Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
Divide the Trofie al Pesto among serving plates or bowls and serve immediately.
Notes
Reserved pasta water - Reserve about a cup of pasta water, even though you'll likely only need around 1/2 cup for the sauce. Having extra pasta water ensures you can adjust the sauce's consistency as needed without diluting the flavor.