Skip to Content

The 6 Best Kinds of Pasta for Basil Pesto

If you’re looking for a delicious and easy-to-make meal, look no further than basil pesto.

Basil pesto is an Italian sauce made from fresh basil leaves, garlic, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and pine nuts.

It can be used as a condiment or tossed with pasta to make a flavorful meal.

But what kind of pasta should you use?

The best pasta to serve with basil pesto is long, thin strands like spaghetti or linguine. The sauce clings well to the thin noodles and has a nice flavor that compliments the pesto’s garlic, Parmesan cheese, and pine nuts. You can also experiment with other shapes such as rotini or farfalle.

There are so many types of pasta available that it can be overwhelming to choose one.

The good news is that there are certain kinds of pasta that work best with basil pesto.

In this article, I will share the six best kinds of pasta for making basil pesto dishes.

Read Also: What Wine Goes With Pesto Pasta? (10 Best Wines)

What is basil pesto?

Basil Pesto

Basil pesto is a traditional Italian sauce made from fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese and olive oil.

It has a bright green color and a creamy texture that comes from the combination of the ingredients.

The flavor of basil pesto is herbaceous with notes of garlic and nuttiness from the pine nuts.

It can be used as a condiment for pasta dishes or as an ingredient in other recipes such as pizza or sandwiches.

Basil pesto also makes an excellent dip for vegetables or chips.

Basil pesto originated in Genoa, Italy where it was traditionally served over trofie pasta (a type of twisted noodle).

Today it is popular all over the world and can be found in many different variations including versions made with walnuts instead of pine nuts or vegan alternatives using nutritional yeast instead of cheese.

The 6 Best Kinds of Pasta for Basil Pesto

Basil pesto is a delicious sauce that pairs well with many types of pasta.

However, some pastas work better than others.

To make sure your dish turns out perfect, here are six kinds of pasta that go best with basil pesto:

1. Penne

Penne

Penne is a type of pasta that is shaped like a tube with ridges along the sides.

It is usually cut into short lengths and can be made from either white or whole wheat flour.

Penne is one of the most popular types of pasta in Italy, where it originated, and it has become increasingly popular around the world.

Penne pairs perfectly with basil pesto because its shape helps to hold onto the sauce better than other pastas.

  1. To make this dish, start by cooking your penne according to package instructions until al dente (slightly firm).
  2. Then drain and set aside. In a separate bowl, mix together some store-bought or homemade pesto with olive oil and Parmesan cheese until you have a thick sauce.
  3. Toss the cooked penne in the pesto sauce until all pieces are evenly coated.
  4. Serve warm or cold as desired!

2. Fusilli

Fusilli

Fusilli is a type of pasta that is shaped like a corkscrew or spiral.

It’s made from durum wheat flour and water, and it can be found in both short and long varieties.

The shape of the pasta helps to hold onto sauces, making it an ideal choice for dishes with creamy or chunky sauces.

Fusilli pairs perfectly with basil pesto because its shape allows it to capture all the flavors of the sauce.

To make your own basil pesto, simply blend together fresh basil leaves, garlic, olive oil, pine nuts (or other nuts), Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper until you have a smooth paste.

Once you’ve prepared your pesto sauce, cook your fusilli according to package instructions then toss it with the sauce before serving.

You can also add cooked vegetables such as zucchini or cherry tomatoes for extra flavor and texture.

3. Rigatoni

Rigatoni

Rigatoni is a type of pasta that is tubular in shape and has ridges along the outside.

It is slightly larger than penne, with a diameter of about 1 inch (2.5 cm).

The ridges on the outside help to hold sauces and other ingredients like pesto, making it an ideal choice for dishes like baked ziti or macaroni and cheese.

Rigatoni pairs perfectly with basil pesto sauce because its ridges help to hold onto the sauce better than other types of pasta.

  1. To make a delicious dish using rigatoni and basil pesto, start by boiling the rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente.
  2. While the pasta cooks, prepare your favorite basil pesto recipe or use store-bought pesto if you’re short on time.
  3. Once cooked, drain the rigatoni and toss it with your prepared pesto sauce before serving hot or cold as desired.

You can also add additional ingredients such as grilled chicken or vegetables for extra flavor and texture.

4. Orecchiette

Orecchiette

Orecchiette is a type of pasta that originated in the Puglia region of Italy.

It is shaped like small discs with a hollow center, and its name translates to “little ears” in Italian.

The shape helps it hold onto sauces and other ingredients, making it an ideal choice for dishes such as pesto.

When using orecchiette with basil pesto, you can either mix the two together or serve them separately.

If mixing them together, cook the orecchiette according to package instructions and then toss with your favorite homemade or store-bought pesto sauce.

For serving them separately, cook the orecchiette according to package instructions and then top each portion with a spoonful of pesto sauce before serving.

Taste: Orecchiette has a slightly chewy texture that pairs well with creamy sauces like basil pesto. The flavor of the pasta itself is mild but still adds depth to any dish it’s served in. When combined with basil pesto, you get a delicious combination of flavors that will have everyone coming back for seconds!

5. Farfalle

Farfalle

Farfalle, also known as bow-tie pasta, is a type of Italian pasta shaped like small bows or butterflies.

It is made from durum wheat flour and water and comes in various sizes.

The most common size used for farfalle is the medium-sized variety which measures about 1 inch long.

Farfalle pairs well with pesto because its shape helps to hold onto the sauce better than other types of pasta.

  1. To make a delicious basil pesto farfalle dish, cook the farfalle according to package instructions until al dente.
  2. Meanwhile, prepare your favorite homemade or store-bought pesto sauce.
  3. Once the farfalle is cooked, drain it and return it to the pot over low heat; add in your desired amount of pesto sauce and stir until everything is evenly coated.
  4. Serve immediately with freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top if desired!

6. Linguine

Linguine

Linguine is a type of pasta that is long and flat, similar to fettuccine.

It is made from durum wheat flour and water, and it has a slightly curved shape.

The name linguine comes from the Italian word for “little tongues,” which refers to its shape.

Linguine pairs well with pesto because the sauce clings nicely to the strands of pasta.

  1. To make a delicious basil pesto linguine dish, start by boiling your linguine according to package instructions until al dente (tender but still firm).
  2. Meanwhile, prepare your pesto by combining fresh basil leaves, garlic cloves, pine nuts or walnuts, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, salt and pepper in a food processor or blender until smooth.
  3. Once the pasta is cooked and drained, combine it with the prepared pesto in a large bowl and toss until evenly coated.
  4. Serve immediately topped with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.

Conclusion

In conclusion, basil pesto is a delicious and versatile condiment that goes well with many kinds of pasta.

The best kinds of pasta for basil pesto are penne, fusilli, rigatoni, orecchiette, and farfalle. Each of these pasta shapes has its own unique texture and flavor that pairs perfectly with the flavors of basil pesto.

Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a more elaborate dish for a special occasion, these five types of pasta are sure to please.

So the next time you’re in the mood for basil pesto, grab your favorite type of pasta and get cooking!

Basil Pesto

The 6 Best Kinds of Pasta for Basil Pesto

As a passionate home cook, I'm always looking for new and creative recipes to try. One of my favorite dishes to make is basil pesto, and I'm here to help you find the perfect pasta to pair with it. In this article, I'll be sharing my top 6 picks for the best kinds of pasta to serve with a delicious basil pesto. I'll explain the unique characteristics of each pasta, as well as how they pair best with pesto.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Pasta
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 people
Calories 365 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Penne
  • Fusilli
  • Rigatoni
  • Orecchiette
  • Farfalle
  • Linguine

Instructions
 

  • Pick your favorite type of pasta from this list to eat with your pesto.
  • Prepare the rest of your meal, and enjoy!
Website | + posts

Jenny has always been passionate about cooking, and she uses her platform to share her joy of food with others. Her recipes are easy to follow, and she loves giving tips and tricks to help others create their own unique culinary creations.