Pasta Pesto Rosso

Penne al pesto traces its roots to Liguria, a coastal region of Italy where fragrant basil grows under the Mediterranean sun. Families would gather handfuls of fresh leaves, pound them in a mortar with garlic, pine nuts, and cheese, then swirl the vibrant green sauce through steaming pasta. Simple and rustic, it was a way to preserve the brightness of summer in every bite.

Over time, the dish became one of Italy’s most iconic pasta recipes, cherished for its fresh, herbal character and silky richness from olive oil. Paired with penne, the ridged pasta clings to the pesto, making each forkful full of flavor—a reminder of how the simplest ingredients, treated with care, can create something timeless.