Pasta with Spinach Pesto
Elevate your pasta night with this vibrant and nutrient-packed Pasta with Spinach Pesto, a quick and easy dinner recipe bursting with fresh flavors. This creamy pesto sauce is made with a simple blend of baby spinach, fragrant basil, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and garlic, creating a velvety green sauce that clings perfectly to al dente pasta. A drizzle of olive oil brings it all together, while a splash of reserved pasta water ensures the ideal silky texture. Ready in just 25 minutes, this dish is not only fast but also loaded with wholesome ingredients, making it a great option for a healthy weeknight meal. Serve it warm with extra Parmesan and pine nuts for a gourmet touch that’s sure to impress! Perfect for anyone searching for easy spinach recipes, flavorful vegetarian pasta dishes, or quick pesto ideas.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Pasta
- 4 cups Baby spinach
- 1 cup Fresh basil leaves
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 0.25 cup Pine nuts
- 2 units Garlic cloves
- 0.5 cup Olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.5 cup Pasta cooking 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 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the spinach pesto. In a food processor, combine the baby spinach, fresh basil leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, garlic cloves, salt, and black pepper.
Pulse the ingredients in the food processor until roughly chopped.
With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil and blend until the mixture forms a smooth pesto sauce. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the spinach pesto. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated.
If the pesto seems too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta cooking water, a tablespoon at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
Serve the pasta warm, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese or pine nuts, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1881 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 147.6 g | 189% | |
| Saturated Fat | 27.1 g | 136% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 22.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 40 mg | 13% | |
| Sodium | 2294 mg | 100% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 103.1 g | 37% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 19.7 g | 70% | |
| Total Sugars | 5.1 g | ||
| Protein | 39.9 g | 80% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 636 mg | 49% | |
| Iron | 8.9 mg | 49% | |
| Potassium | 408 mg | 9% | |
*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.
