Basil pesto sauce is an absolute favorite in our house. We spread it on toast, or use it as a dip with a crusty French baguette. But, we mostly enjoy pesto in our pasta dishes. Occasionally we opt for a vegetarian pasta option, but usually, we’ll enjoy a chicken or prawn pesto pasta.

While chicken is a great addition to basil pesto pasta, you could also try adding some cooked pumpkin, asparagus, and semi-dried tomatoes. This not only adds flavor but also adds vibrant colors to the dish.

Basil pesto sauce is easy to prepare, requiring hardly any effort. Once you’ve blended all of the ingredients together, you simply stir it through your favorite pasta until it’s warm. It is bursting with flavor and will certainly get those tastebuds tingling.

Swaps & Tips

Firstly, we know that a lot of people don’t like pine nuts. But you can swap these out for a different nut. Cashew nuts are actually a great alternative, and you can already buy them toasted, so you don’t need to worry about that step before combining the ingredients.

Next, we know it sounds like a lot of olive oil. We often halve the olive oil and add a bit of water to help combine the ingredients to make a lighter pesto.

Finally, if you want a deeper green sauce, just add more basil. You can never have enough basil right?

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