Pasta with Spinach Pesto
Adding spinach to prepared pesto turns the color a bright green and adds flavor and nutrition, in addition to lowering the fat content.
Serves: 8Hands-on: 15 minutesTotal: 25 minutesDifficulty: Easy
Serves: 8
Ingredients
- ½ cup frozen cut spinach
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 container (10 oz.) prepared basil pesto
- 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 package (16 oz.) gemelli pasta
Directions
- Thaw spinach by running under hot water; drain well and squeeze with your hands to drain thoroughly. Combine in food processor or blender with ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, pesto, and lemon juice. Process or blend until mixture is smooth.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta as directed on package until al dente. Drain well, reserving ½ cup pasta cooking water. Return pasta to pan and add pesto mixture and ¼ cup pasta cooking water. Toss gently to coat, adding more pasta cooking water if needed to make a smooth sauce. Serve with remaining ½ cup Parmesan cheese.
Amount per serving | |
---|---|
Calories | 440 |
Total Fat | 25g |
Saturated Fat | 5g |
Cholesterol | 15mg |
Sodium | 480mg |
Total Carbohydrate | 45g |
Dietary Fiber | 4g |
Sugars | 2g |
Protein | 14g |
Recipe Information
Serves: 8
Ingredients
- ½ cup frozen cut spinach
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 container (10 oz.) prepared basil pesto
- 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 package (16 oz.) gemelli pasta
Directions
- Thaw spinach by running under hot water; drain well and squeeze with your hands to drain thoroughly. Combine in food processor or blender with ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, pesto, and lemon juice. Process or blend until mixture is smooth.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta as directed on package until al dente. Drain well, reserving ½ cup pasta cooking water. Return pasta to pan and add pesto mixture and ¼ cup pasta cooking water. Toss gently to coat, adding more pasta cooking water if needed to make a smooth sauce. Serve with remaining ½ cup Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Information
Amount per serving | |
---|---|
Calories | 440 |
Total Fat | 25g |
Saturated Fat | 5g |
Cholesterol | 15mg |
Sodium | 480mg |
Total Carbohydrate | 45g |
Dietary Fiber | 4g |
Sugars | 2g |
Protein | 14g |