Spicy Cilantro Pesto Pasta

User Reviews

5

6 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    5 mins

  • Cook Time

    15 mins

  • Total Time

    20 mins

  • Servings

    8

  • Calories

    276 kcal

  • Course

    Dinner

  • Cuisine

    American, Mexican

Spicy Cilantro Pesto Pasta

Make this Mexican-inspired pesto pasta with my super quick, semi-homemade spicy cilantro pesto recipe! With bright, bold flavor, and a little kick from poblanos and jalapeños, it's one of my favorite easy weeknight dinner.

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 14.5 ounces penne pasta Barilla Protein+™ brand
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 yellow squash sliced, or green zucchini
  • 6.5 ounce basil pesto sauce Barilla Rustic brand, jar
  • 1/4 cup pumpkin seed roasted, aka pepitas
  • 2 poblano chile pepper roasted and seeded
  • 1 to 2 jalapeños
  • cilantro handful
  • 1/2 cup cotija cheese crumbled, or Parmesan

Instructions

  1. Cook Barilla Protein+™ Penne in boiling water for 11 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add zucchini and cook until zucchini is tender, about 10 minutes. Set aside.
  3. If pepitas are not roasted, toast them in a dry pan, until they start to dance, puff up and brown lightly, about 10 minutes. Transfer the seeds to a bowl and let cool to room temperature.
  4. Put the Barilla Rustic Basil Pesto, pepitas, poblanos, jalapenos, and cilantro into a food processor or blender, and puree until smooth. 
  5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Drain pasta into a large bowl and toss in sautéed zucchini, drizzle Mexican style pesto, and lightly combine and garnish with pepitas and crumbled cotija. 

Notes

  • Add a generous pinch of sea salt to the cooking water to enhance the pasta’s flavor. 
  • Avoid adding oil to the water as it prevents sauce from clinging to the pasta. 
  • Roasting chile peppers:If you are unsure how to roast chile peppers, please refer to this blog post: How to roast chile peppers.
  • Leftovers - store in fridge in super airtight container.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Serving 8g Calories 276kcal (14%) Carbohydrates 42g (14%) Protein 10g (20%) Fat 5g (8%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g (6%) Monounsaturated Fat 1g (5%) Trans Fat 1g (50%) Cholesterol 9mg (3%) Sodium 194mg (8%) Potassium 270mg (6%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 3g (6%) Vitamin A 219IU (4%) Vitamin C 30mg (33%) Calcium 66mg (7%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 276 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving 8g
Calories 276kcal 14%
Carbohydrates 42g 14%
Protein 10g 20%
Fat 5g 8%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 1g 5%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 9mg 3%
Sodium 194mg 8%
Potassium 270mg 6%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 3g 6%
Vitamin A 219IU 4%
Vitamin C 30mg 33%
Calcium 66mg 7%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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6 reviews
Excellent

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