Perfect Pasta Pesto and Beans
Elevate your weeknight dinner game with this vibrant and wholesome recipe for Perfect Pasta Pesto and Beans. Featuring tender al dente pasta, crisp green beans, and creamy cannellini beans, this dish is brimming with texture and flavor. Tossed in a luscious pesto sauce and finished with savory grated Parmesan, it’s a quick, comforting meal that comes together in just 30 minutes. A touch of garlic-infused olive oil adds depth, while a sprinkle of black pepper and fresh basil leaves enhances the dish’s aromatic appeal. Whether served as a satisfying vegetarian main or a crowd-pleasing side, this easy pasta recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and sure to become a family favorite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams pasta (penne or fusilli)
- 200 grams green beans
- 200 grams canned cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 100 grams pesto sauce
- 50 grams grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
- 10 leaves basil leaves (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
While the pasta cooks, trim the ends of the green beans and cut them into 2-inch lengths.
In a medium skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
Add the green beans to the skillet and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp.
Stir in the cannellini beans and cook for another 2 minutes until heated through. Season with half of the salt and black pepper.
Return the drained pasta to the pot. Add the pesto sauce, cooked green beans, cannellini beans, and a splash of reserved pasta water. Toss everything together over low heat until well combined. Add more pasta water if needed to achieve a creamy consistency.
Taste and adjust the seasoning with the remaining salt and black pepper, if necessary.
Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
673 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 27.5 g | 35% | |
| Saturated Fat | 6.4 g | 32% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 17 mg | 6% | |
| Sodium | 1003 mg | 44% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 88.4 g | 32% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 7.7 g | 27% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.7 g | ||
| Protein | 23.3 g | 47% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 252 mg | 19% | |
| Iron | 5.2 mg | 29% | |
| Potassium | 423 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.
