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Spinach Pesto Pasta

Spinach Pesto Pasta Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 610

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb spaghetti
  • 5 oz baby spinach
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • ¼ cup toasted pine nuts, plus extra for topping
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan
  • ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • Salt and black pepper

Method
 

  1. Toast pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden, about 3 minutes; set aside, reserving a spoonful for garnish.
  2. Cook spaghetti in salted boiling water until just shy of al dente; reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
  3. In a food processor, pulse spinach, basil, garlic, toasted pine nuts, and Parmesan until finely chopped; stream in olive oil and blend until combined; season with salt and pepper.
  4. In the same skillet over medium-high heat, sear halved cherry tomatoes cut-side down until charred and bursting, 3–4 minutes.
  5. Add drained spaghetti to the skillet, spoon in pesto, toss with ¼ cup pasta water until glossy, adding more as needed. Serve hot with reserved pine nuts and extra Parmesan.

Notes

Toast the pine nuts while the water comes to a boil to save time. The pesto can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored in the fridge.