Casarecce al Pesto Recipe: Creamy Italian Pasta Classic 2026

Casarecce al pesto brings the bright, fragrant flavors of Genoa straight to your table. The short, twisted casarecce noodles are made for clinging to creamy sauces, and this homemade pesto, built from fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic and Parmesan, coats every curve beautifully.

This is the kind of dish that feels special but comes together in about 15 minutes. A splash of lemon juice keeps the pesto fresh and lively, while a little reserved pasta water turns it silky enough to coat each piece of pasta.

With just eight ingredients and a handful of simple steps, it is ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or an easy weekend lunch. Serve it hot, topped with extra pine nuts, basil leaves and shaved Parmesan for a plate that looks as good as it tastes.

Ingredients for Casarecce al Pesto

This makes 2 generous servings.

• 1 bunch of fresh basil
• 1 garlic clove
• 50 g pine nuts
• Salt
• Juice of half a lemon
• 50 g Parmesan cheese
• 60 ml extra virgin olive oil
• 200 g casarecce pasta

How to Make Casarecce al Pesto Step by Step

1. Blitz the basil, garlic and pine nuts

Start by making the sauce that will dress the casarecce. In a food processor, add 1 clean bunch of fresh basil, removing some of the stem and keeping only the leaves for a milder flavor. Add 1 peeled garlic clove cut into pieces, 50 g of pine nuts, a pinch of salt and the juice of half a lemon.

2. Add the Parmesan and olive oil

Next, add 50 g of grated Parmesan cheese and 60 ml of extra virgin olive oil to the processor.

3. Blitz into a creamy pesto

Blitz the ingredients until you have an emulsified pesto that is smooth and creamy. Set it aside.

4. Cook the casarecce

Meanwhile, cook the casarecce in plenty of salted water, following the manufacturer's instructions. For this pasta, 6 minutes of cooking was needed.

5. Drain and reserve pasta water

Drain the pasta, reserving a ladleful of the cooking liquid, which you will use to bring the pesto and casarecce together.

6. Toss with the pesto

In the same pot where the pasta cooked, once drained, add the pesto sauce and then stir in the cooked pasta. Pour in the reserved ladleful of cooking water to create a silky texture.

7. Serve right away

Serve the casarecce freshly made, garnished with a few pine nuts, basil leaves and shaved Parmesan.

Tips for the Best Casarecce al Pesto

Respect the cooking time

For perfectly cooked pasta, follow the cooking times on the package so it comes out al dente. To keep it from turning sticky, cook it in plenty of salted water, ideally about 1 liter of water for every 100 g of pasta.

Use the pasta water

Casarecce pairs beautifully with creamy sauces like this Genovese pesto. Combining al dente pasta with homemade pesto made from fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan and good extra virgin olive oil gives a burst of flavor in every bite. A little extra Parmesan and some of the cooking water help create a silky, velvety sauce.

Keep the pesto fresh

The lemon juice in the pesto complements the cheese and adds a fresh note alongside the basil leaves used to serve the dish. This recipe stands out for its simplicity and the incredible flavor you get from just a few ingredients.

30 Top Recipes I Enjoy Cooking at Home

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a balanced lineup ready to go: simple comfort dishes, well-known international plates, and desserts that make everyone happy.

On nights when I want something rich and indulgent, my picks tend to be this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this elegant Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever something fruity and soothing sounds good, this classic French Tarte Tatin recipe is the one I keep coming back to.

For quick breakfasts and lighter plates, these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe are a regular in my rotation, along with a satisfying Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe and these fresh Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple to keep in the pantry, this simple Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe is one I like to prepare.

When tapas and Mediterranean flavors are calling, I move between this bold Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, creamy Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and refreshing Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is also a favorite of mine to serve when the occasion calls for something a bit more special.

For filling lunches and cozy dinners, these are the ones I always point people toward: this comforting Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, rich Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and creamy Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. And if I'm after something even heartier, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultra-comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Street food and party-style plates are another mood I cook for often, and that usually means this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, flavorful Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crunchy Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These easy Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another one I like to set out as a no-fuss appetizer or snack.

And when I'm building drinks and a full spread for company, dinner often gets paired with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this bold Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the table, this tangy French Remoulade Sauce recipe works great on the side, and this striking Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe makes a beautiful finish.

Additional Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of testing and fine-tuning recipes in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the strongest dishes rely on three things: simplicity, techniques you can trust, and serious flavor.

The recipes gathered here are the ones I genuinely keep coming back to—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something a little more special for friends and family.

On the dessert side, the rich and silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I reach for when I want something elegant without much effort. Another sweet favorite is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better texture in desserts comes in handy, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When something fresh and unfussy is what I'm after, I usually reach for the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a perfectly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For heavier comfort food, I'm quick to suggest the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the quick weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

Traditional dishes from around the world are another thing I love to share, among them the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the classic Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is a category I turn to often too, since it saves time without sacrificing texture. The ones I make most include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my comforting Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and deeply satisfying without any gluten.

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