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A black plate of green pesto spaghetti topped with cherry tomatoes, toasted pine nuts, fresh basil, and Parmesan cheese.

A Delicious and Healthy Green Spaghetti Recipe


  • Author: ranimr907
  • Total Time: TT20M
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

 

This Green Spaghetti is a fresh, healthy, and flavorful dish made with a vibrant spinach-basil pesto sauce. It’s packed with nutrients and comes together in no time!


Ingredients

Scale

    • 1 pound spaghetti (whole wheat, if possible)

    • 2 cups fresh spinach, packed

    • 1 cup fresh basil leaves

    • 2 cloves garlic

    • 1/4 cup pine nuts (or walnuts for a cheaper alternative!)

    • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

    • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

    • Juice of 1/2 lemon

    • Salt and black pepper to taste

    • Optional: 1/2 cup chopped cherry tomatoes


Instructions

    1. Cook the Spaghetti: Start by cooking the spaghetti according to the package directions. Don’t overcook it! You want it al dente. Reserve about a cup of pasta water before draining, because this is where the magic is!

    1. Prepare the Pesto: While the pasta cooks, prepare the “green” part of the recipe. In a food processor, combine the spinach, basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts (or walnuts), and Parmesan cheese. Pulse until finely chopped.

    1. Add the Olive Oil and Lemon: With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil and lemon juice. Process until the mixture forms a smooth paste. If the pesto is too thick, add a little pasta water to thin it out.

    1. Combine Pesto with Pasta: Once the spaghetti is cooked and drained, immediately transfer it back into the pot. Add the pesto sauce to the pasta. Toss well to combine, ensuring each strand is evenly coated with the vibrant green sauce.

    1. Adjust Seasoning: Taste and season with salt and black pepper to taste. At this point, add a bit more pasta water if you like the sauce to be looser. Add optional cherry tomatoes, too!

    1. Serve Hot: Serve immediately, garnishing with additional Parmesan cheese and maybe a basil leaf or two. And there you have it, a delicious meal.

Notes

  • You can substitute walnuts for pine nuts to make this recipe more budget-friendly.
  • For a vegan version, swap Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to two days.
  • Prep Time: PT10M
  • Cook Time: CT10M
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Boiling, Blending
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1.5 cups of pasta per serving
  • Calories: 450 kcal
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 180 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 60 g
  • Fiber: 5 g
  • Protein: 12 g
  • Cholesterol: 5 mg

Keywords: green spaghetti, spinach pesto, healthy pasta, easy dinner, vegetarian pasta