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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.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 8
Calories: 276 kcal
Course:
Dinner
Cuisine:
American , Mexican
Ingredients
- 14.5 ounces Barilla Protein+™ Penne
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 yellow squash or green zucchini sliced
- 6.5 ounce jar Barilla Rustic Basil Pesto sauce
- 1/4 cup roasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- 2 poblano chile peppers roasted and seeded
- 1 to 2 jalapeños
- handful cilantro
- 1/2 cup crumbled Cotija cheese or Parmesan
Instructions
- Cook Barilla Protein+™ Penne in boiling water for 11 minutes.
- 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.
- 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.
- Put the Barilla Rustic Basil Pesto, pepitas, poblanos, jalapenos, and cilantro into a food processor or blender, and puree until smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- 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.
Cup of Yum
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
Serving
8g
Calories
276kcal
(14%)
Carbohydrates
42g
(14%)
Protein
10g
(20%)
Fat
5g
(8%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
1g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
9mg
(3%)
Sodium
194mg
(8%)
Potassium
270mg
(8%)
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
% 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.