Heart-Healthy Fusilli Pasta with Pesto
Elevate your weeknight dinners with this vibrant and nutritious Heart-Healthy Fusilli Pasta with Pesto! Made with whole wheat fusilli, this dish swaps traditional pesto ingredients for a wholesome blend of fresh basil, baby spinach, and omega-3-rich walnuts, complemented by the zesty brightness of lemon juice and a vegan-friendly touch of nutritional yeast. The creamy, herbaceous pesto is tossed with tender al dente pasta and sweet cherry tomatoes for a pop of color and natural sweetness. Perfect for a quick, 25-minute meal, this recipe is packed with fiber, healthy fats, and bold flavors, making it a guilt-free indulgence that’s as satisfying as it is nourishing. Serve it up as a light lunch or dinner, and enjoy a delicious dish that supports your heart and your taste buds!
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Ingredients
- 12 ounces whole wheat fusilli pasta
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup baby spinach leaves
- 0.5 cup walnuts
- 2 garlic cloves
- 0.5 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
Directions
Step 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.
Step 2
Add the whole wheat fusilli pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Step 3
In a food processor, combine fresh basil leaves, baby spinach leaves, walnuts, and peeled garlic cloves. Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped.
Step 4
With the food processor running, gradually add the extra-virgin olive oil in a steady stream, occasionally scraping down the sides of the bowl until the pesto is well blended.
Step 5
Add the lemon juice, nutritional yeast, salt, and black pepper to the pesto. Pulse until everything is well combined and smooth.
Step 6
Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary by adding more salt or lemon juice to taste.
Step 7
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked fusilli pasta with the freshly made pesto sauce. Toss until the pasta is evenly coated.
Step 8
Slice the cherry tomatoes in half and gently fold them into the pasta.
Step 9
Serve the pasta immediately, garnished with additional fresh basil leaves if desired. Enjoy this heart-healthy meal!
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (769.8g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2758.6 |
| Total Fat 168.0g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 22.0g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 28.3g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 1220.1mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 273.5g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 46.5g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 12.4g | |
| Protein 61.4g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 284.2mg | 0% |
| Iron 17.2mg | 0% |
| Potassium 2637.5mg | 0% |
Source of Calories