Low Sodium Pesto Pasta
Brighten up your pasta night with this Low Sodium Pesto Pasta, a heart-healthy twist on a classic favorite! Made with whole wheat pasta and a vibrant homemade pesto featuring fresh basil, unsalted walnuts, and a zesty splash of lemon juice, this dish delivers bold, herbaceous flavor without the extra salt. Nutritional yeast lends a cheesy, umami-rich depth, while a pop of freshness comes from juicy cherry tomatoes and tender spinach. Perfectly creamy yet light, this low sodium recipe comes together in just 25 minutes, making it an ideal choice for a quick and wholesome weeknight dinner. Serve it as-is or elevate the dish with a sprinkle of lemon zest for a satisfying, nutrient-packed meal the whole family will love!
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Ingredients
- 12 ounces Whole wheat pasta
- 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
- 0.5 cups Unsalted walnuts
- 2 medium Garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 0.5 cups Olive oil
- 3 tablespoons Nutritional yeast
- 0.25 teaspoons Black pepper
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes
- 2 cups Fresh spinach leaves
Directions
Step 1
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the whole wheat pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
Step 2
While the pasta cooks, prepare the pesto sauce. In a food processor, combine the fresh basil leaves, unsalted walnuts, garlic cloves, lemon juice, and nutritional yeast. Blend until the mixture is roughly chopped.
Step 3
With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the pesto reaches a creamy consistency. Add black pepper to taste and process until combined. If the pesto is too thick, add a small amount of the reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, to achieve the desired consistency.
Step 4
Halve the cherry tomatoes and roughly chop the fresh spinach leaves.
Step 5
In a large bowl, toss the cooked pasta with the pesto sauce until evenly coated. Add the cherry tomatoes and spinach, gently mixing to combine.
Step 6
If needed, add a bit more reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
Step 7
Serve immediately as a hearty and delicious low sodium meal. Optionally, garnish with extra nutritional yeast or a sprinkle of lemon zest for added flavor.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (783.8g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1931.5 |
| Total Fat 151.7g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 21.3g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 10.6g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 72.4mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 118.2g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 26.7g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 9.4g | |
| Protein 40.4g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 236.7mg | 0% |
| Iron 11.0mg | 0% |
| Potassium 1870.8mg | 0% |
Source of Calories