Step 1

Bring a large pot of water to the boil with the salt.

Step 2

Add pasta and cook for the length of time per the packet.

Step 3

Just before draining, scoop out 1 cup of of the pasta cooking water.

Step 4

Drain pasta in a colander, leave it for a minute.

Step 5

Transfer pasta to a bowl (do not use pasta cooking pot, too hot).

Step 6

Add pesto and 1/4 cup of pasta water. Toss to coat pasta in pesto, adding more water if required to make pasta silky and saucy, rather than dry and sticky.

Step 7

Taste, add more salt and pepper if desired.

Step 8

Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parmesan.