• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Live-In Kitchen logo

  • Recipes
  • About
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Work Together
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Vegetarian Pasta Recipes

    Spinach Pesto Pasta

    Lindsay Moe

    480 shares

    Spinach Pesto Pasta is a wholesome and delicious twist on pesto! Made with a handful of simple ingredients, this recipe is a great main or side dish. 

    Spinach pesto pasta on a white plate on top of a brown patterned napkin next to a fork.
    Jump to Recipe

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions are my own.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to make pasta with spinach pesto
    • Top tips
    • FAQ
    • More vegetarian pasta recipes
    • Recipe

    This spinach pesto is really something. I want to put it on everything (and I have). Packed with nutrients and lots of flavor, this might be my new go-to for flavoring pastas, sandwiches, and eggs.

    Spinach pesto tossed with whole grain pasta is one of my go-to recipes when I need a super quick and easy meal. The spinach pesto is easy to whip up in your food processor while the pasta is cooking.

    Toss it all together and sprinkle a little extra parmesan cheese for a simple and delicious weeknight dinner. I’m not even going to urge you to eat a salad alongside because the salad is right there in the pesto.

    Ingredients

    • Baby spinach
    • Parsley
    • Walnuts
    • Parmesan cheese
    • Garlic
    • Olive oil
    • Kosher salt
    • Whole grain pasta
    Ingredients to make spinach pesto in a food processor.

    How to make pasta with spinach pesto

    1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions. When done, drain and return to the pot.
    2. Meanwhile, in the bowl of a food processor, combine spinach, parsley, walnuts, Parmesan, garlic, olive oil, and salt. Process until a smooth paste forms.
    3. Stir pesto into the hot pasta until completely incorporated. Serve with a sprinkling of freshly grated parmesan.

    Top tips

    What kind of pasta to use for pesto pasta

    Whole grain shells are my family’s traditional choice for pesto pasta, but you could use any kind of pasta you like! Long pasta like spaghetti or linguine is a great choice.

    How to store

    Leftover spinach pesto pasta will keep covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, but it is best enjoyed as soon as possible. You can reheat leftovers in the microwave or, better yet, stirred in a pan on the stove top.

    How to freeze

    I recommend freezing the pesto sauce separately from any cooked noodles, or better yet waiting to cook noodles when you’re ready to eat it.

    It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.

    A forkful of spinach pesto pasta.

    Tips for customizing spinach pesto pasta

    • Swap the walnuts for pine nuts
    • Swap the spinach for arugula, kale, or basil
    • Finish with a sprinkling of chopped fresh parsley
    • Add chopped, cooked asparagus at the very end
    • Swap the Parmesan cheese for Pecorino Romano
    • Meat eaters can add cooked chicken or another protein of their choice

    FAQ

    Can I use frozen spinach to make this recipe?

    No, I don’t recommend using frozen spinach for pesto. Frozen spinach contains excess liquid, and the color is not as bright and vibrant as fresh spinach.

    Is parmesan cheese vegetarian?

    Real parmesan cheese is not vegetarian because it uses animal rennet. If it is important to you to make this a vegetarian spinach pesto pasta, look for a parmesan cheese made with vegetable rennet instead.

    Can I make this recipe gluten free?

    Yes! The spinach pesto is naturally gluten free, so simply choose a gluten free pasta to go with it.

    Spinach pesto pasta on a white plate on top of a brown patterned napkin next to a fork.

    More vegetarian pasta recipes

    • Halloumi Stroganoff
    • Penne al Pomodoro
    • Spaghetti Arrabbiata
    • Tomato and Feta Pasta
    • Baked Ravioli
    • Easy Fettuccine Alfredo
    • Spaghetti Aglio Olio
    • Pesto Linguine
    • Roasted Vegetable Lasagna
    • Roasted Garlic and Broccoli Pasta
    • Olive Oil Alfredo Sauce
    • Halloumi Carbonara
    • Meatless Baked Ziti
    A forkful of spinach pesto pasta.

    If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!

    sign up for our newsletter graphic

    Recipe

    spinach pesto pasta in a white bowl with a fork and napkin

    Spinach Pesto Pasta

    Spinach Pesto Pasta is a wholesome and delicious twist on pesto!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved!
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 412kcal
    Author: Lindsay Moe

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups tightly packed baby spinach
    • ½ cup flat-leaf parsley
    • ½ cup walnuts
    • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
    • 2 garlic cloves, pressed
    • 3 tablespoons olive oil
    • ¼ teaspoon coarse kosher salt
    • 1 box whole grain pasta

    Instructions

    • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions. When done, drain and return to the pot.
    • Meanwhile, in the bowl of a food processor, combine spinach, parsley, walnuts, Parmesan, garlic, olive oil, and salt. Process until a smooth paste forms.
    • Stir pesto into the hot pasta until completely incorporated. Serve with a sprinkling of freshly grated Parmesan.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 412kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 177mg | Potassium: 289mg | Fiber: 1g | Vitamin A: 1395IU | Vitamin C: 9.7mg | Calcium: 105mg | Iron: 3.7mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @theliveinkitchen or tag #theliveinkitchen!

    More Vegetarian Pasta Recipes

    • a small white bowl of pesto tortellini salad
      Pesto Tortellini Salad
    • plates with eggplant parmesan and block of parmesan cheese on table
      Easy Eggplant Parmesan
    • a bowl of caprese couscous
      Caprese Couscous with Balsamic Drizzle
    • a bowl of Tortellini with Garlic Chile Oil and Feta next to a fork.
      Tortellini with Garlic Chile Oil and Feta

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Marye says

      February 24, 2015 at 10:06 am

      I love pesto! This looks delicious!

      Reply
    2. Lisa @ Healthy Nibbles & Bits says

      February 25, 2015 at 11:34 am

      I always love a lightened up pesto! Adding spinach to it is such a great idea!

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    lindsay moe in a kitchen with glasses on shelves behind her

    Hi, I'm Lindsay! I've been creating easily customizable vegetarian recipes since 2011. I love the outdoors, brownies, and brand new books. I live and work in La Crosse, Wisconsin and founded Wild Flour Media to expand on my love for food photography and videography to my community and beyond.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • single serving vegan cookie dough on a spoon
      Vegan Cookie Dough for One
    • featured image of two shot glasses with buttery nipple shot
      Buttery Nipple Shot
    • zesty cream cheese stuffed mini peppers close up
      Zesty Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers
    • single serving lemonade in a glass with lemons
      Single Serving Lemonade

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • About Lindsay
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Statement

    Extras

    • Newsletter
    • Resources
    • On the Side

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work with Me
    • Wild Flour Media

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 The Live-In Kitchen

    Please read my Privacy Policy.
    480 shares