Low Carb Pasta al Pesto

Savor the ultimate guilt-free indulgence with this Low Carb Pasta al Pesto, a vibrant and flavorful twist on the classic Italian dish. This recipe swaps traditional pasta for zucchini noodles, making it a perfect choice for keto enthusiasts and those seeking a healthy, gluten-free option. The fresh pesto sauce, crafted from fragrant basil leaves, creamy parmesan cheese, nutty pine nuts, and a hint of lemon juice, adds a burst of authentic Mediterranean flavor. Quick to prepare in just 30 minutes, this dish is light, refreshing, and packed with wholesome ingredients. Perfect for weeknight dinners or elegant entertaining, this Low Carb Pasta al Pesto is a simple yet impressive meal that will leave everyone satisfied.

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 medium zucchini
• 2 cups fresh basil leaves
• 0.5 cups parmesan cheese
• 0.25 cups pine nuts
• 2 cloves garlic
• 0.5 cups extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Begin by preparing the zucchini noodles. Use a spiralizer or a julienne peeler to turn the zucchinis into noodles.

Step 2

Place the zucchini noodles in a colander over the sink, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and let them sit for about 10 minutes to release excess moisture.

Step 3

While the zucchini noodles are draining, prepare the pesto. In a food processor, combine fresh basil leaves, parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and peeled garlic cloves.

Step 4

Pulse the mixture until it is finely chopped.

Step 5

With the food processor running, gradually stream in the extra virgin olive oil until the pesto is smooth and well combined.

Step 6

Add the lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to the pesto, and pulse once more to incorporate the ingredients.

Step 7

Taste the pesto and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Step 8

To cook the zucchini noodles, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the zucchini noodles and sauté them for about 3-4 minutes until they are just tender and heated through.

Step 9

Remove from heat and drain any excess moisture from the skillet.

Step 10

Return the zucchini noodles to the skillet off the heat, and add the prepared pesto sauce.

Step 11

Toss the noodles gently with the pesto until they are well coated.

Step 12

Serve the Low Carb Pasta al Pesto immediately, topped with additional grated parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of pine nuts if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1044.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1684.1

Total Fat 151.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 27.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 12.1g
Cholesterol 44.5mg	0%
Sodium 8959.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 68.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.2g	0%
Total Sugars 56.1g
Protein 30.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 634.9mg	0%
Iron 5.9mg	0%
Potassium 2077.5mg	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: 77.5%

Protein: 6.9%

Carbs: 15.6%