High Protein Pasta with Pesto Sauce

Elevate your weeknight dinner game with our High Protein Pasta with Pesto Sauce, a flavorful and nutrient-packed twist on a classic favorite! This quick and easy recipe combines protein-rich chickpea or lentil pasta with a creamy homemade pesto made from fresh basil, spinach, and pine nuts, delivering bold flavors and a boost of nutrition. Tossed with juicy cherry tomatoes and tender slices of grilled chicken breast, this dish is as satisfying as it is wholesome. Perfect for meal prep or a family dinner, this 30-minute meal is a delicious way to fuel your body while savoring every bite. Garnish with grated Parmesan and fresh basil for an irresistible finishing touch.

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 8 ounces Chickpea or Lentil Pasta
• 2 cups Fresh Basil Leaves
• 1 cup Spinach Leaves
• 0.25 cup Pine Nuts
• 0.5 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
• 2 large Garlic Cloves
• 0.33 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black Pepper
• 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup Grilled Chicken Breast, sliced

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.

Step 2

Once boiling, add the chickpea or lentil pasta and cook according to the package instructions, usually about 7-9 minutes, until al dente.

Step 3

While the pasta is cooking, prepare the pesto sauce. In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, spinach leaves, pine nuts, grated Parmesan cheese, and garlic cloves.

Step 4

Pulse the ingredients until coarsely chopped.

Step 5

With the processor running, slowly pour in the extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice, blending until the pesto is smooth and creamy.

Step 6

Season the pesto with salt and black pepper to taste, then set aside.

Step 7

Drain the cooked pasta and return it to the pot.

Step 8

Add the pesto sauce to the pasta, tossing to coat the pasta evenly.

Step 9

Gently fold in the halved cherry tomatoes and sliced grilled chicken breast.

Step 10

Serve immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and a few basil leaves if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(857.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2294.6

Total Fat 132.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 24.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 11.5g
Cholesterol 242.8mg	0%
Sodium 2069.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 147.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 25.9g	0%
Total Sugars 13.7g
Protein 151.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 757.5mg	0%
Iron 23.5mg	0%
Potassium 3597.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 49.9%

Protein: 25.4%

Carbs: 24.7%