Creamy Pesto Linguine Delight

1. Boil Pasta

Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add ¾ pound of your chosen dry pasta and cook it until it reaches that perfect al dente texture—tender yet still firm to the bite. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes but keep an eye on it.

2. Reserve Pasta Water

Once the pasta is cooked, reserve a cup of the hot cooking water before draining the pasta using a colander. This reserved pasta water is a secret weapon for creating a smooth, creamy sauce.

3. Combine Pasta and Pesto

Next, transfer the drained pasta to a large, warm bowl or back into the pot you used for cooking. Add 1½ cups of prepared pesto to the pasta, and toss everything together. The warmth of the pasta will help the pesto to coat evenly.

4. Create Creamy Sauce

Gradually mix in about ½ cup of the reserved hot pasta water. The starch in this water will help to loosen the noodles and create a creamy sauce that clings beautifully to each strand of pasta. If the sauce looks too thick, you can add a bit more of the reserved water until you reach the desired consistency.

5. Adjust Seasoning

Taste the pasta and adjust the seasoning with a pinch of salt if necessary. The goal is to have a well-seasoned, flavorful dish.

6. Serve with Parmesan

Finally, plate the pasta onto serving dishes and generously garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. The cheese not only adds a rich, salty finish but also enhances the creamy texture of the dish.