Go Back
–+ servings

Light Lemon Pesto Pasta

Light, yet full of flavor, this pesto is perfect tossed with hot spaghetti for a quick dinner.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: Italian, Italian Inspired
Calories: 465

Ingredients
  

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
  • 0.5 cup chopped walnuts
  • 0.25 cup lemon juice
  • 0.25 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 0.25 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Method
 

  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.
  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.
  3. With food processor running, drizzle olive oil into the mixture. Continue processing until the oil is integrated smoothly.
  4. Pour sauce over spaghetti and toss to coat.

Nutrition

Calories: 465kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 18gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 337mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3g

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!