Spinach Pesto Pasta - Your Yummy Day (2024)

Sometimes you're in a hurry, but still want to treat yourself. This delicious recipe for spinach pesto pasta is just what you need in this situation. With its beautiful green color, this recipe will delight your taste buds.

🥘 Ingredients to make spinach pesto pasta

The full list of ingredients can be found in the recipe card at the end of this article.

• Almonds: Use unsalted, unroasted almonds for this recipe. You can leave them to soak for 12 hours beforehand to make them soft again, if you like.
• Spinach: Adds a beautiful deep green color to this pesto.
• Parmesan: Adds character to the pesto. It's already very salty, so there's no need to add a lot of salt afterwards.
• Garlic clove: Use fresh garlic for added flavor.
• Olive oil: Choose a quality oil. It makes all the difference.
• Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice will give a better result than bottled juice.

🔪 How to make spinach pesto pasta

1. Place the pasta of your choice in a pot of salted boiling water. Follow package instructions for cooking time. Keep some pasta cooking water, drain and set aside.
2. Wash and spin-dry the spinach leaves.
3. Blend the leaves in a food processor with the almonds, garlic, parmesan cheese, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.
4. Mix the pesto with the pasta and add a little cooking water until the sauce has the texture you like. It's ready, serve hot and bon appétit!

👩‍🍳 Tips

1. Upgrade Pasta Selection: Opt for high-quality pasta, such as artisanal or whole wheat varieties, to enhance both texture and flavor.
2. Toasting Almonds: Toast the almonds lightly before blending them. This brings out their natural nutty flavors and adds depth to the pesto.
3. Variety of Greens: Instead of using only spinach, try incorporating a mixture of other leafy greens like arugula, basil, or kale for a more complex flavor profile.
4. Red Pepper Flakes: If you enjoy a bit of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes can provide a gentle kick to your pesto.
5. Citrus Zest: Grate some lemon zest into the pesto for a burst of citrus aroma and flavor. This can brighten up the overall taste.
6. Pine Nuts: Add toasted pine nuts on top of the dish to introduce an additional nutty flavor and a crunchy texture.

How to store the pasta

Airtight storage: Place pasta in an airtight container or resealable bag.

Refrigerator: Store cooked pasta in the refrigerator, where it can be kept for 3 to 5 days. Be sure to maintain a constant refrigeration temperature (between 1°C and 4°C).

Freezer: For longer storage, cooked pasta can be frozen. Place in an airtight freezer bag, eliminating as much air as possible. Frozen pasta can be stored for 1 to 2 months.

To accompany this recipe

Fresh Salad: Serve a fresh green salad on the side. Arugula salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a lemon and olive oil dressing could complement the flavors of the pesto well.

Garlic Bread or Bruschetta: Serve slices of garlic bread or bruschetta with fresh tomato and basil alongside the pasta. The crunchiness of the bread and the tanginess of the tomatoes will add a nice contrast.

Grilled Vegetables: Grilled vegetables such as zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, and asparagus can provide a smoky and slightly charred element that complements the creamy pasta.

Print

More Dinner