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How to Make Pesto Spaghetti

This pesto spaghetti recipe mixes pasta with aromatic and herbaceous pesto sauce, bright cherry tomatoes, and tangy parmesan cheese. The whole dish comes together easily in approximately 20 minutes, making it the ideal choice for any weeknight dinner.
  • cook TIME 8 mins
  • prep TIME 12 mins
  • total TIME 20 mins
Course: Main CourseCuisine: Italian
Keyword: how to make pesto spaghetti, pesto spaghetti, pesto spaghetti recipe
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 459 kcal

Ingredients (14)

  • 17 oz cooked spaghetti from 8.5 oz raw
  • 1 oz spinach
  • 0.5 oz basil
  • 2 tbsp parsley chopped
  • 3 oz red cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 oz shredded parmesan cheese divided
  • 6 tbsp olive oil divided to 5 tbsp and 1 tbsp
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 0.5 oz shallot coarsely chopped
  • 2 fl oz unsalted chicken broth
  • 1 oz pine nut

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep:

1

Cook the Spaghetti: Boil the water, add the pasta then check the packaging for the specific cooking time. Gently stir every few minutes then drain when pasta becomes al dente.

2

Chop the Shallot: Slice off the stem, peel and discard the skin, separate the bulbs, then chop into large pieces.

3

Chop the Parsley: Remove the stems. Bunch the leaves together on one hand then thinly slice. Rock the knife back and forth over the pile for finer pieces.

4

Halve the Tomatoes

Cook:

1

Cook the Greens: Bring water to a boil then add 1 oz spinach and 0.5 oz basil for 30 seconds then remove and transfer into a bowl of ice water to soak until cool. Bunch the leaves together then gently squeeze to dry.

2

Blend the Sauce: In a blender or food processor, add the cooked basil and spinach, 0.5 oz shredded parmesan cheese, 3/4 tsp salt, 3 garlic cloves, 0.5 oz shallot, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 5 tbsp olive oil, 1 oz pine nut, and 2 fl oz unsalted chicken broth and blend until well-combined.

3

Sauté the Tomatoes: In a pan over medium heat add 1 tbsp olive oil and 3 oz red cherry tomatoes, then sauté for 1 minute.

4

Add the Spaghetti and Sauce: Continue adding 17 oz spaghetti and the pesto sauce, and evenly stir for another 3 minutes.

5

Serve and Enjoy: Transfer the cooked mixture onto serving plates and garnish with 0.5 oz shredded parmesan cheese, 2 tbsp parsley, and 1/2 tsp pepper.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 459 kcal | Fat 29 g | Saturated Fat 5 g | Trans Fat 0 g | Polyunsaturated Fat 0 g | Monounsaturated Fat 0 g | Cholesterol 5 mg | Sodium 573 mg | Potassium 242 mg | Carbohydrate 42 g | Fiber 3 g | Sugar 1 g | Protein 12 g | Vitamin A 1144 IU | Vitamin C 13 mg | Calcium 125 mg | Iron 2 mg