Begin by making your homemade basil pesto. In a food processor, blend fresh basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan, and a pinch of salt until finely chopped. Gradually add ⅓ cup of olive oil, continuing to blend until smooth and creamy. Set your vibrant pesto aside.

In a large pot, bring salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add 12 ounces of spaghetti pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.

In a large skillet over medium heat, transfer your drained spaghetti. Immediately pour in the prepared basil pesto and add ½ cup of the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together until the pasta is well-coated in the pesto sauce.

If your pesto sauce seems thick, add more reserved pasta water, a couple of tablespoons at a time, stirring until you achieve a creamy texture. Keep an eye on it to avoid overcooking.

Taste your Easy Pesto Pasta and season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Plate the pasta elegantly, garnishing with freshly grated Parmesan and basil leaves.