Heart-Healthy Bowtie Pasta with Pesto Sauce
Brighten up your dinner table with this *Heart-Healthy Bowtie Pasta with Pesto Sauce*, a vibrant and nutritious twist on a classic favorite. Made with whole wheat bowtie pasta and tossed in a creamy homemade pesto sauce crafted from fresh basil, walnuts, nutritional yeast, and a splash of lemon juice, this dish is brimming with heart-smart ingredients. Cherry tomatoes and baby spinach add a burst of color and freshness, making it as visually appealing as it is delicious. Ready in just 30 minutes, this simple yet satisfying recipe is a perfect choice for busy weeknights or a wholesome family meal. Packed with plant-based goodness and rich in fiber, this pasta bowl doesn’t just taste amazing—it also supports a healthy lifestyle. Serve it warm with a sprinkle of fresh basil or walnuts for an extra-special touch!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Whole wheat bowtie pasta
- 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
- 0.5 cups Walnuts
- 2 large Garlic cloves
- 0.5 cups Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 0.25 cups Nutritional yeast
- 0.5 teaspoons Salt
- 0.25 teaspoons Black pepper
- 1 cups Cherry tomatoes
- 2 cups Baby spinach
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the whole wheat bowtie pasta and cook according to package instructions, or until al dente. This typically takes about 10-12 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the pesto sauce. In a food processor, combine the fresh basil leaves, walnuts, garlic cloves, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, salt, and black pepper.
Blend the mixture until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as necessary to ensure everything is well combined.
Slice the cherry tomatoes in half and set them aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and drained pasta, prepared pesto sauce, sliced cherry tomatoes, and baby spinach.
Toss everything gently until the pasta is evenly coated with the pesto sauce and the ingredients are well distributed.
Serve immediately, garnishing with additional fresh basil or walnuts if desired. Enjoy your heart-healthy bowtie pasta!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2639 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 160.3 g | 206% | |
| Saturated Fat | 21.4 g | 107% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 28.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1259 mg | 55% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 277.2 g | 101% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 30.4 g | 109% | |
| Total Sugars | 13.0 g | ||
| Protein | 60.7 g | 121% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 277 mg | 21% | |
| Iron | 18.4 mg | 102% | |
| Potassium | 1762 mg | 37% | |
*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.
