Description
A vibrant and fresh Green Pasta Sauce made with spinach, basil, garlic, and nuts, blended into a creamy, flavorful sauce perfect for tossing with your favorite pasta. This easy, no-cook Italian sauce is packed with nutrients and can be customized for creaminess or varied greens.
Ingredients
Scale
Green Pasta Sauce
- 2 cups fresh spinach, packed
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup pine nuts or walnuts
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup pasta cooking water, reserved
Instructions
- Prepare Greens and Ingredients: Gather the fresh spinach, basil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, nuts, and seasonings stated. Wash the greens thoroughly and peel the garlic cloves.
- Blend the Sauce: In a food processor or blender, add spinach, basil leaves, garlic, olive oil, Parmesan, pine nuts (or walnuts), salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Blend the ingredients until smooth. Gradually add reserved pasta cooking water a little at a time to adjust the consistency until it is smooth and slightly creamy.
- Cook Pasta: Cook your preferred pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving some of the pasta water before draining completely.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Place the drained pasta back into the pot or a large bowl. Pour the green sauce over the warm pasta and toss well to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it to your liking.
- Serve: Plate the pasta immediately and serve with additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- This sauce pairs excellently with spaghetti, linguine, or penne.
- For a creamier texture, add 2 tablespoons of plant-based cream or Greek yogurt to the sauce before tossing with pasta.
- You can substitute arugula or kale in place of some or all of the spinach for a different, peppery or earthy flavor profile.
