This is a classic Italian dish and there is a great deal of different brands selling pesto but it makes such a difference when you use your own freshly blended sauce. Give it a try! It’s quick and simple. Garlic and herbs will give you all flavours you need to make this meal delicious.

You need

• A food processor

Ingredients

• 100g basil leaves (or a combination of fresh spinach and wild rocket);
• 25g (1/4 pack) pine nuts;
• 20g grated Italian cheese (freshly grated Parmesan or Grana padano are the best);
• Freshly ground black pepper or chilli (optional);
• 1 squeeze lemon juice (optional);
• 2 clove garlic;
• ~2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil;
• Sea salt;
• 100-120g penne dry pasta;

Step by step

• Just blend everything together. You can roast pine nuts and even garlic which will modify the flavour of your sauce. I prefer everything fresh.
• Add salt to boiling water.
• Add the pasta. Stir it occasionally.
• Follow the package directions for cooking times BUT for “al dente” pasta always reduce the time by 1-2 minutes.
• Drain pasta, add the pesto sauce and top with grated cheese.

  Your shopping basket

• One 100g pack of basil leaves – £1.75 (or one 80g pack of spinach – £1.00 and one 70g pack of wild rocket – £0.98)
• One 100g pack of pine nuts – £2.79
• One 185g pack of Parmesan – £2.78
• One garlic – £0.50
• 500g penne pasta – £1.00
• Total basket £8.07 | Cost of ingredients (1 serving) £3.12 | Per serving £3.12