Heart-Healthy Pasta with Pesto and Cheese
Elevate your weeknight dinners with this vibrant and nutritious Heart-Healthy Pasta with Pesto and Cheese, a guilt-free pleasure that's as delicious as it is good for you. Made with whole wheat pasta, this dish is packed with fiber and paired with a nutrient-rich homemade pesto featuring fresh basil, baby spinach, walnuts, and a hint of lemon juice for a bright, zesty kick. Tossed with juicy cherry tomatoes, peppery arugula, and finished with a delicate sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, every bite is bursting with wholesome flavor. Ready in just 30 minutes, this easy recipe offers a perfect balance of heart-healthy fats, fresh ingredients, and bold taste, making it ideal for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Whether you're looking for a quick vegetarian main or a feel-good pasta alternative, this dish delivers.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Whole wheat pasta
- 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup Baby spinach
- 0.5 cup Walnuts
- 2 units Garlic cloves
- 0.25 cup Extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 0.5 teaspoon Sea salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.25 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup Arugula
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the whole wheat pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water and then drain the pasta.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the pesto. In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, baby spinach, walnuts, and garlic cloves. Pulse until finely chopped.
With the processor running, gradually add the extra-virgin olive oil and lemon juice. Blend until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
Season the pesto with sea salt and black pepper to taste. If necessary, adjust the consistency with a bit of pasta cooking water.
Halve the cherry tomatoes and roughly chop the arugula.
In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooked pasta with the pesto, ensuring each strand is well coated.
Add the cherry tomatoes and arugula to the pasta and gently mix until combined.
Divide the pasta into serving bowls and top each with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.
Serve immediately, adjusting seasoning if needed, and enjoy your heart-healthy meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1486 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 107.3 g | 138% | |
| Saturated Fat | 16.5 g | 82% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 28.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 20 mg | 7% | |
| Sodium | 1556 mg | 68% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 110.9 g | 40% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 23.8 g | 85% | |
| Total Sugars | 9.4 g | ||
| Protein | 39.7 g | 79% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 473 mg | 36% | |
| Iron | 9.4 mg | 52% | |
| Potassium | 1408 mg | 30% | |
*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.
