Best 2 Spinach Pesto Fusilli Recipes

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Spinach pesto fusilli is a delicious and flavorful pasta dish that is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal. The combination of fresh spinach, fragrant basil, nutty pine nuts, and tangy Parmesan cheese creates a vibrant and aromatic pesto that perfectly coats the tender fusilli pasta. With its vibrant green color and delightful taste, spinach pesto fusilli is sure to become a favorite for the entire family. It can be served as a main course or a side dish, and it's also a great option for packed lunches.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

FUSILLI WITH SPINACH AND WALNUT PESTO



Fusilli with Spinach and Walnut Pesto image

The ridges in spiral-cut fusilli are ideal for catching this fresh green sauce, made from spinach and walnuts instead of basil and pine nuts.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 bunch spinach (about 1 pound), trimmed and washed
3/4 cup walnuts, toasted
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 pound fusilli
1/4 cup shaved pecorino cheese (1 ounce), for serving

Steps:

  • Add spinach and 1 tablespoon water to a large skillet set over medium-high. Cook, stirring constantly, until spinach is wilted, about 3 minutes. In a food processor, combine spinach, walnuts, oil, and lemon zest. Process until mixture forms a smooth paste, scraping down bowl as needed. Season with salt and pepper.
  • In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 2 cups pasta water; drain pasta. Return pasta to pot and add pesto, tossing to combine and adding enough pasta water to create a sauce that coats pasta. Transfer to a serving plate, top with pecorino, and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 461 g, Fat 18 g, Fiber 6 g, Protein 16 g

SPINACH PESTO FUSILLI



Spinach Pesto Fusilli image

Spinach, toasted pine nuts, and a splash of lemon juice make a fresh, flavorful sauce for this classic corkscrew pasta.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains

Number Of Ingredients 9

8 ounces baby spinach
3/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
2 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
1 lemon, zest and juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
1 pound fusilli pasta

Steps:

  • Place half the spinach in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add remaining spinach and pulse to chop. Add 1/2 cup pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan, lemon zest and juice, salt, and pepper to the processor and puree.
  • With the motor running, slowly add the olive oil in a steady stream. Transfer pesto to a large bowl. If making in advance, cover pesto with light coating of olive oil and cover with plastic. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  • Cook pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente, about 6-8 minutes, or according to package instructions. Drain pasta and immediately toss with pesto.
  • Serve pasta garnished with remaining pine nuts, grated Parmesan, and a drizzle of olive oil.

Tips:

  • For the best flavor, use fresh spinach. If you only have frozen spinach, thaw it completely and squeeze out any excess water before using.
  • If you don't have basil, you can use another herb, such as parsley, cilantro, or mint.
  • To make a vegan version of this recipe, use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese.
  • If you don't have fusilli, you can use another type of short pasta, such as penne or rotini.
  • Serve this dish immediately, or store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Conclusion:

Spinach pesto fusilli is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a quick weeknight meal. The pesto is made with fresh spinach, basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. It is then tossed with cooked fusilli pasta and served with a sprinkle of additional Parmesan cheese. This dish is sure to please everyone at the table.

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