Nut-Free Pasta al Pesto
Delight your taste buds with this vibrant and allergy-friendly Nut-Free Pasta al Pesto, a quick and easy recipe perfect for weeknight dinners or family gatherings. This creamy, herbaceous pesto sauce swaps traditional pine nuts for sunflower seeds, making it a safe and delicious option for nut-free diets. Fresh basil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and a hint of lemon juice blend harmoniously with extra virgin olive oil to create a lusciously smooth and aromatic sauce. Tossed with al dente pasta and a splash of reserved pasta water for the perfect consistency, this dish comes together in just 25 minutes. Serve it hot with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan for a simple yet satisfying meal that’s packed with flavor. Ideal for busy cooks, pesto lovers, and anyone searching for a nut-free twist on a classic Italian favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams Pasta (spaghetti or your choice)
- 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup Sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cloves Garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1/4 cup Reserved pasta water
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, sunflower seeds, grated Parmesan cheese, and garlic cloves. Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped.
With the processor running, slowly stream in the extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice until the pesto becomes creamy and smooth.
Season the pesto with salt and black pepper to taste.
In a large mixing bowl or directly in the pot used for cooking pasta, combine the cooked pasta with the nut-free pesto sauce.
Add reserved pasta water a little at a time, stirring until the pasta is well-coated and the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2197 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 163.9 g | 210% | |
| Saturated Fat | 28.3 g | 142% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 23.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 40 mg | 13% | |
| Sodium | 1868 mg | 81% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 145.4 g | 53% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 16.8 g | 60% | |
| Total Sugars | 5.5 g | ||
| Protein | 55.0 g | 110% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 584 mg | 45% | |
| Iron | 8.0 mg | 44% | |
| Potassium | 966 mg | 21% | |
*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.
