Go Back
–+ servings
A bowl of spaghetti with vibrant green pesto sauce, topped with fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese. Part of Best Pasta Recipes 2025.

Best Pasta Recipes 2025: Crispy Outside, Juicy Inside

This recipe offers a delightful pasta dish with a focus on texture and flavor. It combines homemade or store-bought pesto with spaghetti for a satisfying meal.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 12 ounces spaghetti pasta
  • 1 cup reserved pasta cooking water starchy
For the Pesto Sauce
  • 1 recipe homemade basil pesto prepared with ⅓ cup olive oil, or ⅓ cup store-bought pesto
For Serving
  • to taste Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • to taste Fresh basil leaves for garnish
  • to taste Sea salt
  • to taste Freshly ground black pepper

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Skillet

Method
 

  1. Prepare the pesto according to your recipe, using ⅓ cup olive oil. If using store-bought, start with ⅓ cup.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
  3. Transfer the drained pasta to a large skillet. Add the pesto and ½ cup of the reserved pasta water. Toss to coat the pasta, adding more pasta water as needed to create a lightly creamy sauce.
  4. If desired, gently warm the pasta over low heat. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  5. Serve topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves.

Notes

If using store-bought pesto for 12 ounces of spaghetti, start with ⅓ cup and add more to taste. If using a short pasta shape like penne or farfalle, you may need slightly less pesto. Start with half a recipe and add more to taste.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!