- Lightly toast the almonds in the oven and add them to the blender along with garlic and grind them to a powder. Add grated cheese, basil leaves, salt and start grinding. Add oil in while it is still grinding and make it into a puree. Remove and pour it in a large bowl. Boil water and add salt. In boiling water add penne. Remove and strain the pasta. Immediately add the pasta to the sauce, drop the butter, add a dash of pasta water and toss them with a laddle. Serve on to a pasta plate and eat.