Imagine twirling your fork into a plate of perfectly cooked linguine, adorned with golden-toasted pine nuts and vibrant sun-dried tomatoes that burst with Mediterranean flavor. This isn't just another pasta recipe—it's a culinary journey that transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience. Whether you're a seasoned home chef or a cooking novice, this linguine dish promises to elevate your meal from ordinary to extraordinary with minimal effort and maximum taste.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 12 oz linguine
- 1 cup sun dried tomatoes, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes.
- While pasta is cooking, toast pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently until golden brown and fragrant. This should take about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing them to soften and release their flavors.
- Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the linguine thoroughly.
- Add cooked linguine directly to the skillet with sun-dried tomatoes and garlic. Toss gently to combine, adding reserved pasta water if needed to create a light sauce.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Remove from heat and sprinkle with toasted pine nuts and freshly chopped basil.
- Serve immediately, garnishing with additional basil leaves if desired.
Tips
- Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh basil and good olive oil make a significant difference in the final taste.
- Toast pine nuts carefully: Watch them closely as they can burn quickly. Constant stirring is key to achieving that perfect golden color.
- Reserve pasta water: The starchy water helps create a silky sauce and helps ingredients cling to the pasta.
- Cook pasta al dente: This ensures the pasta has a slight bite and won't become mushy when mixed with other ingredients.
- Serve immediately: This dish is best enjoyed hot, right after cooking, to preserve the fresh flavors and textures of the pine nuts and basil.
- Optional variations: Add grilled chicken or shrimp for extra protein, or sprinkle some parmesan cheese for additional richness.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 480kcal
Carbohydrates: 55g
Protein: 15g
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
