Trenette al pesto is a classic Italian dish that has been around for a long time.
This recipe is one of the most popular Italian pasta recipes.
This dish is made by combining a delicious pesto sauce with al dente trenette pasta.
The combination of the pesto sauce and al dente trenette pasta creates a perfect balance of flavor and texture that will make your taste buds dance.
What ingredients are needed to make trenette al pesto?
The ingredients for trenette al pesto are simple.
Trenette is a type of pasta that is long, flat, and ridged.
It has a soft, chewy texture with a slightly chewy and firm crust on the inside.
This pasta is often used in pastas and pastries.
The pesto sauce is made from a combination of tomatoes, garlic, basil leaves, olive oil, and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.
The pesto sauce is what gives the dish its flavor and color.
However, this specific recipe calls for pesto sauce to be made with red bell pepper instead of tomato.
If you’re not able to find trenette al pesto in your local supermarket or store, you can try making your own pasta at home.
You can check out our homemade pasta recipe.
How long does it take to cook trenette al pesto?
Cooking trenette al pesto is a very quick process.
The pasta will take around 4 minutes to cook, while the sauce will need around 5 minutes to simmer.
You can make use of your microwave to speed up the cooking process, which will reduce the cooking time by around 15 minutes.
Trenette al pesto is a tasty dish that is perfect for a quick family meal.
For a more complex dish with a lot more flavor you can substitute trenette al pesto with tagliatelle and add beef or chicken to the sauce.
What is the origin of the trenette al pesto recipe?
The origin of the trenette al pesto recipe is not known for sure.
It is said that the dish was created during the time of the Roman Empire.
The ancient Romans used to make a pasta dish called trenette.
So, it is possible that this is a variation of the original noodle dish.
However, no one knows for sure.
What type of pasta is used for trenette al pesto?
Trenette al pesto is traditionally made with small or medium-sized pasta shapes.
It is a great choice if you want to add in other ingredients such as cheese, grilled vegetables, mushrooms, or even chicken.
You can also experiment with different kinds of pasta to create your own unique version of this Italian classic.
The traditional trenette al pesto recipe calls for unbleached small pasta shapes such as penne, rigatoni, or fusilli.
If you do not have any of those on hand, you can also use other medium-sized or large-sized pasta shapes.
Trenette al pesto is also an excellent choice if you are looking to make a vegetarian version of the dish.
You can substitute the meat sauce with a vegan meat sauce and serve the trenette al pesto alongside it.
What are the different variations of the trenette al pesto recipe?
There are several different variations of trenette al pesto.
One variation of the recipe uses the trenette pasta that is normally eaten with a pesto sauce which is made from pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese and extra virgin olive oil.
This type of pasta is also known as sfincione.
Another variation of this recipe substitutes the trenette pasta with fusilli pasta.
Fusilli pasta is a smooth and hollow pasta that has a slightly thicker diameter than the traditional trenette pasta.
This recipe can be viewed as a combination of both variations of the trenette al pesto recipe.
The main difference between the two variations lies in their texture.
The trenette al pesto variation uses a smoother pesto sauce while the fusilli al pesto variation uses a more dense and textured pesto sauce.
How much olive oil is required for trenette al pesto?
Trenette al pesto is a great recipe for any occasion.
You can make this dish in large quantities and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
You can also make this recipe ahead of time and freeze it, which will keep it fresh for up to 3 months.
You can use your favorite variety of olive oil such as extra virgin olive oil.
The olive oil you use should not be too expensive or too cheap.
You want to choose one that is good quality and will not go rancid before you finish cooking with it.
What herbs are added to give flavor to trenette al pesto?
The herbs used in this recipe are basil, parsley, oregano, and garlic.
These herbs are combined with the pesto sauce and al dente trenette pasta to create a flavorful dish.
The herbs also add additional flavor to the dish as they are mixed with the olive oil.
What type of cheese is used in trenette al pesto?
Trenette al pesto is often made with mozzarella but the cheese can be substituted with different types of cheeses.
You can also use a ricotta or a cream cheese.
The type of cheese used in this dish depends on personal preference and what ingredients you have available in your kitchen.
What is the proper way to serve trenette al pesto?
This dish is best eaten with a side salad and a glass of wine.
It can also be enjoyed as a main dish by eating it with a piece of garlic bread.
This recipe is perfect for both vegetarians and meat lovers alike.
The trenette al pesto recipe consists of two basic ingredients, pesto sauce and trenette pasta.
The pesto sauce makes the dish, which includes basil, garlic, olive oil, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese.
The trenette pasta is the star of this dish.
The al dente trenette pasta made from durum wheat flour provides the perfect balance of texture and flavor in this dish.
The trenette pasta is cooked to perfection to ensure that the pasta has a nice bite to it but isn’t too tough or mushy.
This al dente pasta is served with a generous amount of pesto sauce which adds an extra layer of flavor to the dish.
How can the trenette al pesto recipe be modified to suit individual tastes?
The trenette al pesto recipe can be modified to suit individual tastes.
For example, you can add different types of herbs and spices to the pesto sauce.
The same goes for the al dente pasta.
You can also vary the amount of pesto in the recipe to suit your taste.
If you like pesto sauce very much, you can double the amount of it in the recipe.
Equipment
- food processor
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup olive oil extra-virgin
- 2 tablespoons olive oil extra-virgin
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- pinch salt
- 2 cloves garlic chopped fine
- 1/2 pound trenette pasta
- 1/4 cup parmigiano-reggiano cheese freshly grated
- 2 tablespoons pecorino-romano cheese freshly grated
Instructions
- In a food processor or blender, combine 1/2 cup olive oil, pine nuts, garlic, and a generous pinch of salt, then add the basil a few leaves at a time, processing until smooth.
- Hand-mix in the cheese until thoroughly combined. This yields a much better consistency than blending the cheese in with a food processor or blender.
- Bring a large pot of well-seasoned water to a boil. Cook until the trenette is al dente.
- Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and the pesto in a large sauté pan over low heat until heated through.
- Set aside 1/4 cup of the cooking water before draining the pasta and adding it to the sauté pan with the pesto on medium heat. Stir in the reserved pasta water until the pasta is completely coated with the sauce.
- Serve the pasta immediately on individual serving plates.
Video
Nutrition
My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.