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+ servings

Spring Pesto Pasta

This vibrant Spring Pesto Pasta is a delightful blend of fresh ingredients and homemade pesto, perfect for a light yet satisfying meal.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

For the Base
  • 12 ounces spaghetti
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup zucchini sliced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for cooking
For the Pesto
  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves
  • 1/3 cup pine nuts
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 1/2 cup olive oil to blend
  • 1 pinch salt to taste
For the Garnish
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese shaved
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves for garnish

Method
 

Prepare the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente.
  2. In the last 2 minutes of cooking, add the zucchini and cherry tomatoes to the pot. Drain the pasta and vegetables, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
Make the Pesto
  1. In a food processor, combine basil leaves, pine nuts, and garlic. Pulse until finely chopped.
  2. With the processor running, slowly add olive oil until the mixture is smooth. Stir in parmesan cheese and salt.
Combine and Serve
  1. In a large bowl, combine the drained pasta and vegetables with the pesto. Mix well, adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency.
  2. Serve immediately, garnished with shaved parmesan and fresh basil leaves.

Nutrition

Calories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 12gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 350mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5g

Notes

Feel free to customize the vegetables based on the season. This dish can be served warm or cold as a pasta salad.

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