High Protein Pasta with Pesto and Cheese
Elevate your pasta game with this creamy and nutritious High Protein Pasta with Pesto and Cheese! Made with high-protein pasta and a vibrant homemade pesto featuring fresh basil, Parmesan, pine nuts, and a touch of ricotta for extra creaminess, this dish is as wholesome as it is indulgent. A drizzle of lemon juice adds a zesty brightness, perfectly complementing the rich flavors. Ready in just 25 minutes, this recipe is ideal for busy weeknights or a quick yet satisfying dinner. Topped with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan, this protein-packed pasta ensures you'll savor every bite while staying energized. Perfect for pasta lovers seeking a healthy, flavorful twist!
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Ingredients
- 12 ounces High-protein pasta
- 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
- 1.5 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
- 0.25 cups Pine nuts
- 3 cloves Garlic cloves
- 0.5 cups Extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 cup Ricotta cheese
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
Directions
Step 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Step 2
Add the high-protein pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions, usually around 8-10 minutes, until al dente.
Step 3
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the pesto sauce. In a food processor, combine the fresh basil leaves, 1 cup of Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and garlic cloves.
Step 4
Pulse a few times to begin breaking down the ingredients.
Step 5
With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture becomes smooth and emulsified.
Step 6
Add the ricotta cheese, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to the food processor.
Step 7
Blend until the pesto is creamy and fully combined. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or lemon juice if needed.
Step 8
Once the pasta is cooked, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
Step 9
Return the cooked pasta to the pot and add the pesto mixture.
Step 10
Toss the pasta with the pesto, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve your desired sauce consistency.
Step 11
Divide the pasta among four serving plates and top each with the remaining 0.5 cups of grated Parmesan cheese.
Step 12
Serve immediately and enjoy your high-protein pasta with pesto and cheese!
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (922.1g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 3404.8 |
| Total Fat 214.5g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 60.3g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 11.5g | |
| Cholesterol 270.8mg | 0% |
| Sodium 4687.5mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 229.5g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 30.4g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 9.0g | |
| Protein 167.5g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 2475.4mg | 0% |
| Iron 17.8mg | 0% |
| Potassium 1323.8mg | 0% |
Source of Calories