Pasta with Spinach Pesto
Elevate your pasta night with this vibrant and nutrient-packed Pasta with Spinach Pesto, a quick and easy dinner recipe bursting with fresh flavors. This creamy pesto sauce is made with a simple blend of baby spinach, fragrant basil, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and garlic, creating a velvety green sauce that clings perfectly to al dente pasta. A drizzle of olive oil brings it all together, while a splash of reserved pasta water ensures the ideal silky texture. Ready in just 25 minutes, this dish is not only fast but also loaded with wholesome ingredients, making it a great option for a healthy weeknight meal. Serve it warm with extra Parmesan and pine nuts for a gourmet touch that’s sure to impress! Perfect for anyone searching for easy spinach recipes, flavorful vegetarian pasta dishes, or quick pesto ideas.
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Ingredients
- 12 ounces Pasta
- 4 cups Baby spinach
- 1 cup Fresh basil leaves
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 0.25 cup Pine nuts
- 2 units Garlic cloves
- 0.5 cup Olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.5 cup Pasta cooking water
Directions
Step 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
Step 2
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the spinach pesto. In a food processor, combine the baby spinach, fresh basil leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, garlic cloves, salt, and black pepper.
Step 3
Pulse the ingredients in the food processor until roughly chopped.
Step 4
With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil and blend until the mixture forms a smooth pesto sauce. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
Step 5
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the spinach pesto. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated.
Step 6
If the pesto seems too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta cooking water, a tablespoon at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
Step 7
Serve the pasta warm, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese or pine nuts, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (789.4g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1880.9 |
| Total Fat 147.6g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 27.1g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 22.3g | |
| Cholesterol 40mg | 0% |
| Sodium 2294.5mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 103.1g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 19.7g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 5.1g | |
| Protein 39.9g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 635.8mg | 0% |
| Iron 8.9mg | 0% |
| Potassium 408.0mg | 0% |
Source of Calories