Name: Sun-Kissed Basil Tagliatelle: Date Night Pasta
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: US
Ingredients: 1 cup packed fresh basil leaves; ½ cup fresh parsley; ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil; ¼ cup raw sunflower seeds; 2 tablespoons grated Pecorino Romano cheese; 1 large lemon, juiced; 2 cloves garlic, crushed; ⅓ teaspoon sea salt; 8 ounces tagliatelle pasta; 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil; 3 cloves garlic, minced; ¾ teaspoon red pepper flakes; ½ medium yellow onion, diced; Sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste; ¼ cup freshly grated Pecorino-Romano cheese, or to taste; 1 tablespoon lemon juice

A vibrant and aromatic pasta dish featuring a luscious sunflower seed and basil pesto, coating perfectly cooked tagliatelle. A delightful and easy-to-prepare meal for a romantic dinner or a satisfying weeknight indulgence.

Follow The Directions

01

Step

Prepare the Pesto: Combine basil, parsley, ½ cup olive oil, sunflower seeds, 2 tablespoons Pecorino cheese, 1 lemon juiced, 2 cloves crushed garlic, and ⅓ teaspoon sea salt in a food processor. Process until smooth, adding more olive oil if needed to achieve the desired consistency. Reserve 4 tablespoons of the pesto for the pasta dish; store the remaining pesto for future use. (Prep time: 15 minutes)

02

Step

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the tagliatelle pasta and cook until al dente, approximately 9-10 minutes. (Cook time: 10 minutes)

03

Step

Sauté Aromatics: While the pasta is cooking, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add 3 cloves minced garlic and ¾ teaspoon red pepper flakes and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the diced yellow onion, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 4 minutes. (Cook time: 5 minutes)

04

Step

Combine and Finish: Drain the tagliatelle, reserving ¼ cup of the pasta water. Immediately transfer the pasta to the skillet with the sautéed aromatics. Add the reserved 4 tablespoons of pesto and the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the pesto. (Cook time: 2 minutes)

05

Step

Final Touches: Remove the skillet from the heat. Toss the pasta with ¼ cup freshly grated Pecorino-Romano cheese and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately. (Cook time: 1 minute)