Sicilian Pesto Pasta

Sicilian Pesto Pasta

Pesto alla Siciliana

Reviewed by Arturs Arnicans
Prep Time: 4m
Cook Time: 30m
Total Time: 34m
Servings: 4
Difficulty: Easy
5.0 (9 Reviews)
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Ingredients

Adjust servings:

Nutritional Information

674
Calories
25g
Fat
85g
Carbohydrate
27g
Protein
47mg
Cholesterol
1089mg
Sodium
Sicilian Pesto Pasta

Recipe Description

Forget boring pasta recipes! This Sicilian Pesto Pasta will have your family asking for seconds. Fresh vine tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, garlic, basil, extra-virgin olive oil, and pine nuts are joined with creamy ricotta for pesto with a difference, hailing from Sicily. Quick and easy, this pesto pasta is a delicious weeknight dinner. To make the recipe vegetarian, just replace Parmesan cheese with a vegetarian-friendly alternative.

Start by making your pesto sauce. Cut a shallow X on the bottom of each tomato and then blanch them in boiling water for 30 seconds. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the tomatoes to a bowl with ice-cold water. Then remove the peel with your hands. Cut the tomatoes in half and remove most of the seeds. Place the tomatoes in a food processor and pulse a few times. Then add in the grated Parmesan cheese, garlic, and pine nuts and pulse a few times again. Add in the basil leaves and a splash of olive oil. Pulse in short bursts, scraping down the sides as needed. Finally, combine the pesto and fresh ricotta and season to taste. This no-cook sauce is great on gnocchi or any short pasta such as casarecce or rigatoni.

To make the Sicilian Pesto Pasta, you will need the following ingredients:

Ingredients for Sicilian Pesto Pasta

Recipe Features

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Steps to make

  1. 1

    Blanch tomatoes

    10 min
    Step 1 - Sicilian Pesto Pasta

    Prepare a bowl with ice-cold water and set aside. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Cut a shallow X on the bottom of each tomato and then blanch them in boiling water for 30 seconds. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the tomatoes to a bowl with ice-cold water for 60 to 90 seconds.

  2. 2

    Peel and deseed tomatoes

    5 min
    Step 2 - Sicilian Pesto Pasta

    Peel the tomatoes with your hand. Cut them in half and remove most of the seeds. Add the tomatoes to a food processor and pulse a few times.

  3. 3

    Add Parmesan, pine nuts, and garlic

    1 min
    Step 3 - Sicilian Pesto Pasta

    Add in 3.5 ounces grated Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons pine nuts, and 1 garlic clove and pulse a few times.

  4. 4

    Add basil and olive oil

    1 min
    Step 4 - Sicilian Pesto Pasta

    Add in the basil leaves and 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil. Pulse in short bursts, avoiding heating the blender and ruining the basil. If the sauce seems too thick, add more olive oil. If too thin, add more grated cheese.

  5. 5

    Combine pesto and ricotta

    1 min
    Step 5 - Sicilian Pesto Pasta

    Transfer the pesto to a bowl and add in the ricotta and salt to taste. Use a fork to mix until well combined. Store the pesto in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or use immediately.

  6. 6

    Cook pasta

    15 min
    Step 6 - Sicilian Pesto Pasta

    Cook the pasta in a pot of boiling salted water until al dente, following the package directions. Drain the pasta, saving a cup of pasta cooking water.

  7. 7

    Combine pasta and pesto

    1 min
    Step 7 - Sicilian Pesto Pasta

    Add in the Sicilian pesto and mix well to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add some pasta cooking water until you reach the desired consistency.

  8. 8

    Serve

    Step 8 - Sicilian Pesto Pasta

    Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and garnish with fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately!

This Sicilian Pesto Pasta recipe boasts rich, fresh flavor and it’s easy to make. Give this recipe a go, and share it using the hashtag #cookmerecipes or tagging @cookmerecipes on Instagram! We love seeing what you’ve made!

About the author

Jelena Mardere

Jelena is an interior designer and young mom! As a busy working mom, her time is precious so she’s always looking for a quick and efficient way to get things done. Jelena is very creative, but has a strong practical side. She loves trying new things and travels a lot, especially around Europe. The kitchen is Jelena’s safe space, where she can let her creative side out and dedicate herself to her favorite hobby - cooking!

Recipe Reviews

Have you made this recipe? Share your experience and help other cooks!

★★★★★
★★★★★
5.0 out of 5 (9 reviews)
Xander
March 18, 2025
Verified

I tried this recipe last week after a long day at work. The fresh ingredients were a breth of fresh air, and it was surprisingly easy to make. The creamy ricotta made it so rich, my friends even asked for seconds! It reminded me of my trip to Sicily where I first tasted pesto. I'll be making this again for sure.

Megan Smith
March 4, 2025
Verified

This Sicilian Pesto Pasta is a game changer! I whipped it up for a quick dinner and my kids couldn't get enough. Simple but sooo flavorful! Definitely a new go-to for weeknights.

Claire
February 2, 2025
Verified

I am so proud of how this Sicilian Pesto Pasta turned out! My kids devoured it and even asked for more. It was so simple to make. I remember making it on a busy weeknight, and it felt like a treat instead of just dinner. The flavors were amazing!

Paige
December 8, 2024
Verified

Totally awsome dinner!

Rina
April 21, 2024
Verified

Delicious! I tried this recipe on a whim and it was a hit! The fresh flavors of the basil and tomatoes made my weeknight dinner feel special. I can't wait to share it with my friends!

Yosef
August 5, 2023
Verified

Simplicity at its best!

Beatriz Gonzalez
June 18, 2023
Verified

Hice esta pasta para la cena familiar y todos pidieron más. Fue fácil y los ingredientes frescos la hicieron deliciosa.

Emily Carter
May 21, 2023
Verified

This Sicilian Pesto Pasta was a hit at our dinner! It was easy to make and full of flavor. My kids loved it, and I loved how quick it was to prepare.

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