5.0 from 78 votes
Tallarines Verdes Recipe
Tallarines Verdes (Green Spaghetti) is a Peruvian classic. This green pesto is tossed with spaghetti and usually served with a steak on top.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 614 kcal
Course:
Main Course , Dinner
Cuisine:
South American , Peruvian
Ingredients
- 2 cups packed spinach leaves
- 1 cup packed basil leaves
- 5 ounces cubed queso blanco or queso fresco plus more for garnish
- 2 garlic cloves peeled
- 1/2 shallot peeled
- 1/4 cup walnuts
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup evaporated milk
- Pinch kosher salt
- freshly ground pepper
- 1 pound pasta of choice
Instructions
To Make the Green Sauce:
- To a blender, add the spinach leaves, basil, queso blanco, garlic cloves, shallot, walnuts, olive oil, evaporated milk and a pinch of salt and a few turns of freshly cracked pepper. Blend for 30 seconds to a minute, scraping down the sides as needed. Give the green sauce a taste and adjust the salt accordingly (this type of cheese tends to be quite salty so you may only need a pinch or two extra).
Cup of Yum
To Make the Pasta and Assemble:
- Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Drop the pasta in the water and cook according to package’s directions. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water. Add the pasta back to the pot and pour in the green sauce. Toss the pasta until it's thoroughly coated. Feel free to add a splash or two of pasta water to the pasta to thin the sauce out a bit. Divide between bowls and garnish with some queso fresco crumbles and freshly cracked pepper.
Notes
- Options for Serving:
- The most traditional way to serve this is with a side of pan-fried steak cut into slices. I never grew up with my mom making it this way because she doesn't eat meat so I make it without meat, too!
- To Store/Freeze:
- This green sauce will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- The green sauce freezes very well. Store in a freezer-safe container, label it with its name and date; it will stay good in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge. And then proceed with using it on pasta.
- Equipment:
- Medium Dutch Oven | High-Powered Blender | Tongs |
Nutrition Information
Serving
4g
Calories
614kcal
(31%)
Carbohydrates
88g
(29%)
Protein
17g
(34%)
Fat
21g
(32%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Cholesterol
5mg
(2%)
Sodium
25mg
(1%)
Potassium
344mg
(10%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
5g
(10%)
Vitamin A
38IU
(1%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
75mg
(8%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 614
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 4g | |
| Calories | 614kcal | 31% |
| Carbohydrates | 88g | 29% |
| Protein | 17g | 34% |
| Fat | 21g | 32% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 5mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 25mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 344mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 38IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 75mg | 8% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.