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Beef Pesto Pasta

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 850
A flavorful pasta dish combining tender beef, fresh basil pesto, and al dente penne for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Meat

  • 500 grams beef (cut into stir fry long thin strips)

Pasta

  • 500 grams penne pasta

Pesto

  • 3 cups basil leaves (loosely packed, leaves trimmed from stems)
  • 0.5 cup pistachio nuts
  • 2-3 cloves garlic
  • 0.5 cup pecorino romano cheese (Note 1)
  • 80 ml olive oil
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice (Note 2)

Salt and Pepper

  • 0.25 tsp kosher salt (cooking salt)
  • 0.25 tsp cracked black pepper

Pasta Water

  • 0.5 cup reserved pasta water (Note 3)

Instructions 

  • Cook beef: heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a pan, cook beef strips with salt and pepper until browned.
  • Make pesto: blend basil, pistachios, garlic, and cheese; add olive oil and lemon juice, blitz until combined.
  • Cook pasta: boil in salted water, reserve 1-2 cups of pasta water, then drain.
  • Combine: toss pasta, beef, pesto, and reserved water in a pan until evenly coated.
  • Garnish with grated pecorino, cracked black pepper, and basil leaves.

Notes

Use fresh basil for best flavor and adjust lemon juice to taste.
Calories: 850kcal
Cost: $15
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Beef, Pasta, Pesto