Pasta with Walnuts
Elevate your weeknight dinner routine with this effortless yet elegant Pasta with Walnuts recipe! Featuring al dente pasta coated in a luscious garlic-infused olive oil, this dish is brought to life with toasted walnuts for a satisfying crunch, savory Parmesan cheese, and a subtle pop of brightness from fresh parsley and lemon zest. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s the perfect balance of rich and zesty flavors. Whether you're entertaining or looking for a simple vegetarian pasta idea, this recipe delivers gourmet vibes with minimal effort. Serve it warm and finish with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan for a crowd-pleasing touch!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz Pasta (spaghetti, linguine, or your choice)
- 1 cup Walnuts
- 3 tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp Lemon zest
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Ground black pepper
- 0.5 cup Pasta cooking water
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, place the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat and toast for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until they are golden and fragrant. Remove from heat, let cool slightly, and roughly chop.
In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant but not browned.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the garlic and toss to coat. Gradually add the reserved pasta cooking water, a little at a time, to help loosen the mixture and distribute the flavors evenly.
Stir in the toasted walnuts, grated Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper. Toss everything together until well combined.
Sprinkle the chopped parsley over the pasta and give it a final toss. Adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.
Serve the pasta warm, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
496 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 35.5 g | 46% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.2 g | 36% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 20 mg | 7% | |
| Sodium | 829 mg | 36% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 31.9 g | 12% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.8 g | 14% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.4 g | ||
| Protein | 17.5 g | 35% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 264 mg | 20% | |
| Iron | 2.0 mg | 11% | |
| Potassium | 213 mg | 5% | |
*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.
