The Basil Affair — Penne, Pesto & Basil Olive Oil

• First came the basil. Then came the affair.
• Meet The Basil Affair: an Italian-inspired supper made for the evenings when you want dinner to feel a little more romantic, without spending the night in the kitchen. Three exceptional pantry essentials, chosen for the way they work together: beautifully textured organic penne, herbaceous Venetian basil pesto, and a final flourish of basil-infused Italian extra virgin olive oil.
• There is no complicated recipe. Just good ingredients, a little pasta water, and a reason to linger at the table.

Inside the affair: three pantry favorites

• Flour + Water Organic Penne Rigate — 1 lb (453 g). Crafted from organic semolina and water, this bronze-die pasta has a lightly textured surface and ridges that help sauce cling. Developed by the team behind San Francisco’s celebrated Flour + Water restaurants.
• Cipriani Organic Basil Pesto — 4.59 oz (130 g). From the Venetian name synonymous with a beautifully set table, a basil-forward Italian pesto made with pine nuts and lemon. Its recipe contains no garlic or cheese, letting the basil take center stage.
• Il Boschetto Basil-Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil — 200 ml (6.7 fl oz). Italian extra virgin olive oil with the fragrant character of basil, ready for a finishing drizzle over your pasta, tomatoes, mozzarella, or toasted bread.

How to have your Basil Affair

• Bring a generous pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne according to its package, reserving a small cup of starchy cooking water before draining.
• With the heat turned off, fold the Cipriani pesto into the warm penne. Add a spoonful of reserved water at a time until the sauce becomes silky and coats the ridges.
• Finish each plate with a light drizzle of basil-infused extra virgin olive oil. Add freshly grated Parmesan, toasted pine nuts, or a few basil leaves from your kitchen, if you like.
• Lello’s serving note: For a pesto-rich supper, start with about half the box of pasta and add pesto to taste; keep the remaining penne for another evening. Use the whole box for a lighter pesto dressing.

Lello’s Point of View

• Why we chose it. Because basil deserves more than a supporting role. This edit captures it twice: first in Cipriani’s green, savory pesto and then as a graceful aromatic finish in Il Boschetto’s olive oil.
• What it makes better. An everyday pasta supper becomes a thoughtful, restaurant-inspired ritual without elaborate preparation.
• How we would serve it. Candlelight optional. Warm bowls, a simple tomato salad and excellent bread absolutely encouraged.
• Who will love it. Home cooks, pasta lovers, hosts, and anyone who knows that the most memorable dinners are rarely the most complicated ones.
• Why it earns its place. Three distinctive makers, considered textures and fragrant ingredients, and the pleasure of assembling dinner from a beautifully stocked pantry.

Details & common questions

• What is included? One 1 lb box of Flour + Water Organic Penne Rigate, one 130 g jar of Cipriani Organic Basil Pesto, and one 200 ml can of Il Boschetto Basil-Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Three individual products; serving props are not included.
• Is there a bundle discount? No. The set is priced at the same total as buying the three products separately.
• Does the pesto contain cheese or garlic? Cipriani’s recipe is made without either. It contains pine nuts. The pasta contains wheat and is made in a facility that also uses eggs. Always check each product label for ingredients, allergens, and storage directions.
• Is this a prepared meal? No. It is a curated trio of shelf-stable pantry products to prepare at home. Follow each label’s storage guidance and refrigerate pesto after opening.
• Explore more inspiration in Pasta & Sauces and Infused Olive Oils & Vinegars.