Nut-Free Pasta with Pesto Sauce
Discover the vibrant flavors of this Nut-Free Pasta with Pesto Sauce, a delicious twist on the classic Italian favorite that's perfect for anyone with nut allergies. Featuring tender spaghetti or your favorite pasta coated in a silky, homemade pesto made using fresh basil, grated Parmesan, garlic, lemon juice, and extra-virgin olive oil, this recipe skips the traditional pine nuts without sacrificing flavor. Ready in just 25 minutes, it's an ideal weeknight dinner bursting with freshness and creamy richness. Serve warm, garnished with extra Parmesan for an irresistible dish that’s both allergy-friendly and endlessly satisfying. Perfect for family meals, quick lunches, or light dinners, it’s a nut-free delight you’ll want to make again and again!
Log this recipe in SnapCalorie
Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces spaghetti or pasta of choice
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 0.5 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the nut-free pesto sauce.
In a blender or food processor, combine the basil leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic cloves, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
Blend the ingredients until they are coarsely combined.
With the blender or food processor running, slowly drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil. Continue blending until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Once the pasta is cooked, reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water and drain the rest.
Return the drained pasta to the pot and add the pesto sauce.
Toss the pasta and pesto sauce together, adding a little of the reserved pasta water at a time to reach your desired sauce consistency.
Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1777 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 135.1 g | 173% | |
| Saturated Fat | 25.1 g | 126% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 40 mg | 13% | |
| Sodium | 1868 mg | 81% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 111.2 g | 40% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 7.8 g | 28% | |
| Total Sugars | 2.8 g | ||
| Protein | 37.6 g | 75% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 529 mg | 41% | |
| Iron | 4.3 mg | 24% | |
| Potassium | 340 mg | 7% | |
*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.
