Cilantro Pesto Pasta
Elevate your pasta night with this vibrant and flavorful Cilantro Pesto Pasta—a fresh twist on a classic favorite. This quick and easy recipe swaps traditional basil for zesty cilantro, creating a pesto that’s both bold and herbaceous. Blended with olive oil, Parmesan cheese, crunchy walnuts, and a splash of bright lemon juice, the pesto comes together in minutes for a fragrant, creamy sauce. Toss it with perfectly al dente spaghetti (or your favorite pasta), and finish with a touch of reserved pasta water for a silky, restaurant-worthy coating. Ready in just 25 minutes, this dish is ideal for busy weeknights yet elegant enough for entertaining. Garnish with extra Parmesan and cilantro leaves to impress both your eyes and taste buds. Perfect for lovers of fresh herbs, quick meals, and unique pasta recipes!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Spaghetti (or pasta of your choice)
- 2 cups Fresh cilantro leaves
- 0.3333 cup Olive oil
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 0.3333 cup Walnuts (or pine nuts)
- 2 whole Garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons Fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Ground black pepper
- 0.25 cup Pasta cooking water
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti (or pasta) according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
While the pasta cooks, prepare the cilantro pesto. In a food processor or blender, combine the fresh cilantro leaves, olive oil, grated Parmesan cheese, walnuts, garlic cloves, fresh lemon juice, salt, and ground black pepper.
Pulse the food processor until the mixture becomes a smooth, vibrant green paste. If needed, scrape down the sides of the bowl and blend again. Adjust the consistency by adding a tablespoon of pasta cooking water at a time until the pesto reaches your desired texture.
Taste the pesto and adjust the seasoning by adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if desired.
Once the pasta is cooked and drained, return it to the pot or transfer it to a large mixing bowl. Add the cilantro pesto and toss the pasta until it is evenly coated.
If the pasta seems dry, gradually add a bit of the reserved pasta cooking water and toss again until the sauce becomes silky and clings to the pasta.
Serve the cilantro pesto pasta immediately, garnishing with additional grated Parmesan cheese and a few cilantro leaves if desired.
Enjoy your fresh and flavorful Cilantro Pesto Pasta!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1633 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 114.6 g | 147% | |
| Saturated Fat | 22.3 g | 112% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 7.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 40 mg | 13% | |
| Sodium | 3048 mg | 132% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 114.6 g | 42% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 9.0 g | 32% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.4 g | ||
| Protein | 42.0 g | 84% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 517 mg | 40% | |
| Iron | 5.4 mg | 30% | |
| Potassium | 383 mg | 8% | |
*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.
