Spinach Pesto Pasta
User Reviews
5
Spinach Pesto Pasta
Description
The pesto combines leafy greens—spinach and basil—with toasted pine nuts and finely grated Parmesan cheese for richness. Garlic and lemon juice introduce pungency and acidity, balanced by kosher salt and fresh black pepper. Processing these ingredients in a food processor with some olive oil produces a creamy, nearly smooth sauce. Additional olive oil is incorporated while blending to reach the desired texture.
Once prepared, the pesto is mixed into cooked pasta, widely adaptable to different pasta shapes. The flavor profile is fresh and bright, with herbaceous notes from spinach and basil complemented by the nuttiness of pine nuts and savory Parmesan. This sauce delivers a vibrant alternative to traditional pesto centered solely on basil.
The recipe notes mention freezing pesto in ice cube trays for convenient single servings, helping preserve freshness and minimize waste.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups baby spinach leaves
- ¾ cup basil fresh leaves
- ½ cup pine nuts toasted
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese grated
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil divided
- 4 cloves garlic peeled and quartered
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice fresh
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- spaghetti or any fun shaped pasta
Instructions
- Place spinach, basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, lemon zest, and pepper into a food processor; blend until nearly smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl with a spatula as necessary. Drizzle remaining olive oil into the mixture while processing until smooth.
- Mix into cooked pasta for toddlers.
Notes
- Freeze portions of pesto in ice cube trays for convenient single servings without defrosting the entire batch.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 138 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 138kcal | 7% |
| Carbohydrates | 2g | 1% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 14g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Cholesterol | 4mg | 1% |
| Sodium | 222mg | 9% |
| Potassium | 73mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 0.4g | 2% |
| Sugar | 0.3g | 1% |
| Vitamin A | 469IU | 9% |
| Vitamin C | 2mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 47mg | 5% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
