Vegetarian Pasta with Pesto and Chicken
Elevate your weeknight dinner game with this vibrant and satisfying Vegetarian Pasta with Pesto, a twist on classic Italian flavors that’s designed to impress! Fresh, fragrant basil takes center stage in a homemade pesto, crafted with creamy pine nuts, garlicky goodness, and a splash of zesty lemon juice. Tossed with perfectly al dente spaghetti, sautéed cherry tomatoes, and tender spinach leaves, this dish is packed with flavor, texture, and wholesome ingredients. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a quick and nutritious meal ideal for busy schedules. Finish with a sprinkle of shaved Parmesan and fresh basil for a restaurant-quality presentation that’s sure to delight vegetarians and pasta lovers alike!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti or your choice of pasta
- 2 cups basil leaves
- 0.5 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 0.25 cup pine nuts
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 0.25 cup basil leaves, for garnish
- 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, shaved for garnish
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic cloves, and lemon juice. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Blend the ingredients while gradually pouring in the olive oil until you achieve a smooth pesto consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
In a large skillet over medium heat, add the halved cherry tomatoes. Cook for 2-3 minutes until they start to soften.
Add the fresh spinach leaves to the skillet and sauté for another 2 minutes until just wilted.
Reduce the heat to low and add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with the homemade pesto. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly, adding reserved pasta water little by little if necessary to loosen the sauce.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if desired.
Serve the pesto pasta hot, garnished with extra basil leaves and shaved Parmesan cheese.
Enjoy your flavorful and vibrant Vegetarian Pasta with Pesto.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
578 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 39.2 g | 50% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.4 g | 37% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 13 mg | 4% | |
| Sodium | 734 mg | 32% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 38.0 g | 14% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 9.3 g | 33% | |
| Total Sugars | 2.9 g | ||
| Protein | 18.7 g | 37% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 430 mg | 33% | |
| Iron | 8.4 mg | 46% | |
| Potassium | 713 mg | 15% | |
*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.
