Light Lemon Pesto Pasta

Light Lemon Pesto Pasta

Light, yet full of flavor, this pesto is perfect tossed with hot spaghetti for a quick dinner. It is also excellent as a pizza sauce or smeared on hot French bread. It freezes well to preserve the bounty of summer basil.

Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
30 mins
Yield:
6 servings
Servings:
6

Ingredients

  • 1 (16 ounce) package spaghetti
  • 4 ounces Pecorino-Romano cheese, cut into cubes
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • 2 cups loosely packed baby spinach leaves
  • 1 cup firmly packed basil leaves
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • ¼ teaspoon lemon zest
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

Step 1
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti at a boil until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 12 minutes; drain. Transfer spaghetti to a large bowl.

Step 2
Put cubed Romano cheese in the bowl of a food processor; process until coarsely grated, about 30 seconds. Put garlic into the food processor and process until the cheese and garlic are combined. Add spinach, basil, walnuts, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt; process until the mixture comes together into a thick paste. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula.

Step 3
With food processor running, drizzle olive oil into the mixture. Continue processing until the oil is integrated smoothly.

Step 4
Pour sauce over spaghetti and toss to coat.

Recipe Tip

If you have an abundance of basil, this can be made with 3 cups of loosely packed basil.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

465
Calories
17g
Fat
60g
Carbs
18g
Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 465
% Daily Value *
Total Fat17g 22%
Saturated Fat5g 24%
Cholesterol20mg 7%
Sodium337mg 15%
Total Carbohydrate60g 22%
Dietary Fiber4g 13%
Total Sugars3g
Protein18g
Vitamin C10mg 50%
Calcium255mg 20%
Iron4mg 19%
Potassium327mg 7%

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient.If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

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source by allrecipe

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