Pesto Pasta with Pistachio Pesto
Pesto Pasta with Pistachio Pesto is the best pasta dinner! It takes exactly 5 mins to make, keeps in your fridge for at least a month and you can use it on anything.
Ingredients
- 1 lb bag of fresh fettuccine pasta ( use gluten free pasta if needed)
For the pesto
- 1 cup packed basil leaves
- 1/2 cup packed spinach leaves
- 1/2 cup shelled pistachios
- 1 large garlic clove ( or 2 smaller ones)
- juice of 1 lemon ( about 1 tablespoon)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese ( use 1 teaspoon of mustard if vegan)
- 1/4 cup -1/3 cup of olive oil
Toppings
- Extra fresh grated Parmesan for sprinkling (optional)
- Lemon zest and crushed pistachios for sprinkling (optional)
- **optional: 1/4 cup of heavy cream
Instructions
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Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
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In the meantime, make the pesto. In a food processor, place all the pesto ingredients except for the olive oil.
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Process until the mixture is fine, then add in the olive oil and process until the is a smooth sauce (it will not be creamy smooth, but smooth).
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When the pasta is done, drain it well. Then toss about 1/2 of the pesto (more or less to your taste) with the pasta and plate them. If you're turning this into a cream sauce, add the cream with pesto sauce t the cooked pasta right away.
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Drizzle a teaspoon more of the pesto on top of each pasta plate, and sprinkle with extra Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and crushed pistachios if desired. Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
TIPS FOR PESTO PASTA
- Make this pistachio pesto vegan by substituting the parmesan cheese with a tsp of mustard.
- For a plate of creamy pistachio pesto pasta, add 1/4 cup of cream to the freshly cooked pasta along with the pesto.
- Finish your pasta with some freshly grated lemon zest and parmesan on top for the ultimate pasta experience!
- How to make Chicken Pesto Pasta?
Cook your chicken and then toss it in pesto sauce over the cooked pasta. Alternatively, you can use rotisserie chicken for convenience. Grabbing a rotisserie chicken is one of my favorite ways to save time!
What to Serve with Pesto Pasta?
Just as is! If you'd like to add protein, you can do so with chicken, seafood, or steak. Garlic bread is a nice touch as well.
How much Pesto to Add to Pasta?
I recommend adding pesto sauce pretty much to your taste, but in general, one pound of pasta would need around 1/2 cup of basil pesto.
How to Store the Pistachio Pesto
Store pesto in the fridge for up to a week in a jar with the lid. Freeze pesto on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and once it's frozen place it in a freezer-safe container. When you are ready for some pesto sauce just break off the amount you need. Wrapped in parchment in a zipper bag, pesto sauce will keep in the freezer for up to eight months!
You can refrigerate the mixed pesto pasta in an airtight container for up to three days, and add a pat of butter and perhaps a bit of water to reheat in the microwave.