Pasta with Pesto Sauce - Nick Stellino Site

Ingredients

• 1 cup fresh, firmly packed, basil leaves, washed and dried
• 3 peeled garlic cloves roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup pine nuts
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons of softened butter
• 1 lb. of rigatoni, or linguine or penne or spaghetti pasta