Pesto Pasta with Spinach Recipe

Name: Pesto Pasta with Spinach
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 3 cups Basil Leaves; 1/4 cups Toasted Pine Nuts; 1/4 cups Grated Parmesan Cheese; 1 clove Garlic, Or 2 Small Cloves; 1 whole Lemon, Zest And Juice; 1/2 cups Olive Oil, More Or Less As Needed; Salt And Pepper; 4 whole Servings Short-cut Pasta, Reserve Pasta Cooking Water; 4 cups Fresh Spinach Leaves; Parmesan, Lemon, And Extra Basil, For Serving

Servings: persons

1
Make the pesto: Combine the basil, pine nuts, Parmesan, peeled garlic cloves, lemon zest, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice with 1/4 cup of the olive oil in a food processor or blender.
2
Combine until smooth, adding more olive oil until a thick paste forms.
3
Add salt and pepper to taste, and set the pesto asidethis can be done a few days in advance!
4
When youre ready to eat, boil water with lots of salt for the pasta.
5
Cook the pasta according to package directions.
6
In a large bowl, add the spinach and 5 tablespoons of the pesto.
7
Right before you drain the pasta, add 1 cup of pasta water to the spinach and pesto.
8
Reserve 1 more cup pasta water in case you need it.
9
Drain the pasta, and dump it over the pesto, spinach, and hot water.
10
Stir together for 1 minute to wilt the spinach.
11
Add more pasta water if you need to thin out the pesto.
12
Taste, and add more salt and pepper.
13
Serve the pasta with extra Parmesan, lemon wedges, and basil leaves.

819

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Leave out the nuts to make it nut-free, or swap in seeds for a similar crunch.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

Saved locally in your browser — visible only to you.

How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 10 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 3 cups Basil Leaves, 1/4 cups Toasted Pine Nuts, 1/4 cups Grated Parmesan Cheese, 1 clove Garlic, Or 2 Small Cloves, and more.

Yes, Pesto Pasta with Spinach falls under the Pasta & Noodles category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Pesto Pasta with Spinach

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions