Nut-Free Penne Pasta with Pesto
Discover the ultimate comfort dish with a twist: Nut-Free Penne Pasta with Pesto. This creamy, flavorful recipe is perfect for anyone with dietary restrictions or simply seeking a lighter take on classic pesto. Fresh basil and spinach form the vibrant, nut-free pesto base, while Parmesan cheese, garlic, and a hint of zesty lemon juice elevate the flavors. Finished with a touch of heavy cream for richness, this sauce clings perfectly to al dente penne pasta for a delightful, restaurant-quality meal in just 30 minutes. Whether you're cooking for a family dinner or a quick weeknight meal, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Serve it piping hot with extra Parmesan for a finishing touch, and enjoy a dish that's as easy to make as it is satisfying. Perfect for those searching for nut-free, basil pesto pasta recipes!
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Ingredients
- 12 ounces Penne pasta
- 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 units Garlic cloves
- 0.5 cup Olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 cup Spinach leaves
- 0.25 cup Heavy cream
Directions
Step 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Step 2
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the nut-free pesto sauce. In a food processor or blender, combine the fresh basil leaves, Parmesan cheese, garlic cloves, spinach leaves, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
Step 3
Blend the ingredients until they form a smooth paste. You may need to scrape down the sides of the food processor a few times to ensure everything is well mixed.
Step 4
Once blended, transfer the pesto sauce to a small saucepan. Stir in the heavy cream and warm the sauce over low heat, stirring occasionally. Do not allow it to boil.
Step 5
Add the drained penne pasta to the saucepan and toss to coat the pasta evenly with the pesto sauce.
Step 6
Serve the nut-free penne pasta with pesto immediately, garnishing with additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (693.8g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2779.8 |
| Total Fat 162.5g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 45.4g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 10.6g | |
| Cholesterol 140mg | 0% |
| Sodium 2587.6mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 255.9g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 14.7g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 0.9g | |
| Protein 77.2g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 976.6mg | 0% |
| Iron 15.2mg | 0% |
| Potassium 1038.6mg | 0% |
Source of Calories