Nut-Free Fusilli Pasta with Pesto
Elevate your pasta night with this vibrant and creamy Nut-Free Fusilli Pasta with Pesto, the ultimate allergy-friendly twist on a classic Italian favorite. This quick and easy recipe swaps traditional pine nuts for crunchy pumpkin seeds, creating a luscious pesto sauce that’s both nut-free and full of flavor. Blending fresh basil, Parmesan cheese, a hint of garlic, zesty lemon juice, and extra virgin olive oil, this dish delivers a perfectly smooth and aromatic sauce. Tossed over tender fusilli pasta, it’s ready in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights or an effortless dinner party dish. Garnish with extra Parmesan and cracked black pepper for a restaurant-quality finish that’s sure to impress. Perfect for those with dietary restrictions, this crowd-pleasing recipe is a must-try for pesto lovers everywhere!
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Ingredients
- 400 grams Fusilli pasta
- 100 grams Fresh basil leaves
- 50 grams Pumpkin seeds
- 50 grams Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 Garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 120 milliliters Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Water
Directions
Step 1
Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fusilli pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually around 10 to 12 minutes.
Step 2
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the nut-free pesto. In a food processor, combine the fresh basil leaves, pumpkin seeds, Parmesan cheese, peeled garlic cloves, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
Step 3
Pulse the ingredients until they begin to combine, then gradually add in the extra virgin olive oil and the tablespoon of water, processing until you achieve a smooth and creamy consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.
Step 4
Once the pasta is cooked, reserve a cup of the pasta water and then drain the pasta.
Step 5
Combine the hot fusilli pasta with the prepared pesto in a large bowl. Toss well to ensure the pasta is evenly coated, adding small amounts of reserved pasta water if necessary to help distribute the pesto and create a silky sauce.
Step 6
Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and a sprinkling of freshly cracked black pepper, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (777.9g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2905.5 |
| Total Fat 158.4g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 31.5g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 10.0g | |
| Cholesterol 50mg | 0% |
| Sodium 3241.2mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 304.2g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 19.8g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 9.4g | |
| Protein 87.5g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 833.7mg | 0% |
| Iron 13.7mg | 0% |
| Potassium 1463.4mg | 0% |
Source of Calories