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Let’s be honest here.
Pasta is a pretty beloved food by most, you can dress it up or you can dress it down.
Personally? I am a huge fan of dressing it down. Simple flavors are best and a little (ok a lot) of cheese is helpful too.
I am sure that, like a lot people, I pretty much grew up on noodles with butter and salt. Just noodles, butter and salt. It’s a meal that even now I find comfort in and is still totally delicious. However, I now prefer to add at least a little basil. In my years since my childhood I have become a basil freak. I am completely in love with the stuff.
My dad use to grow bush basil out the yazoo throughout the summer months and I loved heading outside to pick it for Friday Night Pasta. I love thinking back to memories like this, especially when summer is so close. I am beyond exited!
So basically, today I am going to tell you how to brown some butter, chop some basil and boil some pasta.
Pretty simple stuff, but a recipe I think everyone could use at one time or another.
The idea for leaving the pesto chunky came from this amazing book. If you are interested in cooking and crafting you should definitely look into this book. I personally love it.
Chunky pesto means no breaking out the food processor. And that makes me so happy. For some reason, I really hate using that appliance. Washing it – Ugh.
I added a little brown butter for an extra layer of flavor.
Plus, my mom says no pasta is complete without at least a little salt and butter.
Can’t really argue that.
Oh, and pasta on Thursday just feels right.
Especially when it is so quick and easy to prepare. Quick and easy makes things so much better.
20 Minute Brown Butter Chunky Basil Pesto Pasta.
Ingredients
- 2 cup fresh basil
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts (or almonds, pistachios, walnuts or cashews, but I personally like pine nuts best)
- 1 clove garlic
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4-6 tablespoons olive oil
- freshly cracked black pepper
- crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- In a heavy-bottomed sauce pan add the butter and melt over medium heat until just browned. Butter will melt, foam, and froth, and then begin to brown along the bottom. Whisk the browned bits off of the bottom of the pan and set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Meanwhile, finely chop the basil and add it to a medium size bowl. Chop the pine nuts and finely mince or grate the garlic, add them to the bowl with the basil. Add the parmesan, olive oil and cooled brown butter (make sure to get all the brown bits out of the pan). Using a fork mix well and then sort of mash all the ingredients together with the fork. If desired add more olive oil until your desired consistency is reached.
- Boil the pasta according to package directions. Drain and immediately toss the hot pasta with the pesto. Serve hot or at room temp (I am all about hot pasta though!) with fresh cracked black pepper and a pinch of crushed red pepper.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Especially on a Thursday, when we are all dying for Friday.
This kick started my new Friday night pasta tradition (great idea!) and was hands down the best pesto in the world. Ever. Sooo good!
So happy you loved this! Thank you!
I need to try this! Summer in a bowl!
Thank you so much, Shelly! So excited for summer!
brown butter in pesto…damn it! why didn’t I think of that?
Brown Butter and Pesto in one pasta dish?? Heavenly!! 20 minutes is an added bonus. I know what’s for dinner this week!! My husband is going to be one happy guy!
Thanks so much, cate!
I must attempt to make this!
Thanks! Hope you love it!
As much as I love obnoxiously overdressed, heavily accessorized food, I have a huge appreciation for the simple stuff, too! Especially simplified pasta. Like you, just noodles, cheese and melted butter or olive oil really does wonders. This basil pesto pasta looks phenom hot or cold.
Aaaaand now I’m hungry.
Haha! I totally know what you mean!! Thanks girl! 🙂
There’s nothing better than a dressed down pasta! The simpler the flavors the better it tastes! I love the idea of making a chunky pesto! I love basil and I’m planning to grow my own plant since we don’t get it that often here in supermarkets, which is a real shame! 🙁 I love the addition of brown butter, that stuff is real GOLD! 🙂
Home grown basil is better anyway!! Thanks so much!
Ohhh pesto, how I love you. This looks perfectly delicious!
Thank you! 🙂
Simply perfect. (That bowl is lovely, too!)
Thanks Shaina!
Best kind of comfort food. Simple and delicious!
Agree! Thank you so much, Meredith!
Love the idea of cutting back on the labor and leaving the pesto chunky!
Thanks so much, Megan!
I am super intrigued by this chunky pesto! I am also an un-fan of pulling out the food processor and washing it. Can’t wait to try this out!
Thanks Jenna!
This is one of my very favorite ways to eat pasta! I think i know what i’m making for dinner!
Mine too! Thank you!
I love the simplicity of the preparation here. Plus browned butter makes everything better. : )
Thanks so much, Crystal!!
This looks and sounds delicious! I love pesto, make it all the time, but always in a food processor. Never thought to do it this way – Must try it!
Thanks Caitlin!