Vibrant Spinach Pesto Pasta
Vibrant Spinach Pesto Pasta
Homemade Spinach Pesto Pasta: A Healthy and Flavorful Twist on Basil Pesto
This recipe shows you how to make a delicious pasta using homemade spinach pesto. While you can substitute basil, using spinach offers a wonderfully mild and nutritious alternative, creating a unique and flavorful pasta dish.
Spinach Pesto Ingredients- 5 bunches fresh spinach, thoroughly washed
- 1 handful of nuts (pine nuts, walnuts, almonds, etc.)
- 8 Tbsp olive oil
- 5-7 cloves garlic
- 30g mozzarella cheese (optional, for richer flavor)
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
Pasta Ingredients- 60g pasta (per serving)
- 1-2 Tbsp spinach pesto (adjust to taste)
- Mozzarella cheese, to taste (optional)
- 3 Tbsp sour cream (optional, for creamy richness)
- 60g pasta (per serving)
- 1-2 Tbsp spinach pesto (adjust to taste)
- Mozzarella cheese, to taste (optional)
- 3 Tbsp sour cream (optional, for creamy richness)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the vibrant spinach pesto that will be the heart of our pasta. Take 5 bunches of fresh spinach (or 100g of basil) and wash them thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt. Gently pat them dry.
Step 2
In a blender, combine the washed spinach, a handful of your favorite nuts (feel free to mix different kinds like pine nuts, walnuts, or almonds for complexity), 8 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, 5-7 cloves of garlic, and 30g of mozzarella cheese if you’re using it for extra creaminess. Season with a pinch of salt and a pinch of black pepper to balance the flavors.
Step 3
Now, it’s time to blend everything until it forms a smooth, creamy paste. Blend until there are no chunks left and the consistency is silky. A well-blended pesto will coat the pasta beautifully.
Step 4
Your delicious spinach pesto is now ready! Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it will stay fresh for about a week. This recipe yields enough pesto for approximately 5-6 servings of pasta.
Step 5
Let’s turn this amazing pesto into a delightful pasta dish. Cook 60g of your chosen pasta in plenty of boiling water for about 8-10 minutes, or until al dente (tender but with a slight bite). Reserve about half a cup of the pasta water before draining. Immediately toss the hot, drained pasta with 1-2 tablespoons of the spinach pesto. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water as needed to help the pesto emulsify and coat the pasta evenly, creating a glossy finish.
Step 6
Once the pasta is well coated with the pesto, transfer it to a serving bowl.
Step 7
For an extra touch of indulgence, sprinkle some mozzarella cheese over the hot pasta. It will melt beautifully, adding a wonderfully gooey texture and rich flavor. (This step is optional.)
Step 8
To enhance the creaminess and add a subtle tang, dollop 3 tablespoons of sour cream on top. This optional addition elevates the pasta to another level of deliciousness. (This step is also optional.)
