• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Recipe Index
  • Privacy Policy
  • Web Stories
  • Blogging Resources
  • Carrie's Kitchen
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
Carrie's Kitchen

Carrie's Kitchen

Fast and Fuss Free Recipes

  • Home
  • Easy Dinners
  • Pasta Recipes
  • Salads & Sides
  • Street Food & Fakeaway
  • Comfort Food
  • Breakfast & Brunch
  • Fuss Free Entertaining
  • Snacks and Lunch
  • Drinks
Home » Pasta Recipes » Spinach Pesto Pasta

Spinach Pesto Pasta

Easy Dinners, Pasta Recipes First Published: September 25, 2021 | Last Updated: September 24, 2021

Pin3
Share
Tweet
Share
Yum1
4 Shares
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Spinach Pesto Pasta is an easy and vibrant dish that can be whipped up in less than 15 minutes. Easy to customise and make ahead.

Spinach Pesto Pasta

Can you think of a more classic cheap convenience meal than Pesto Pasta? When I was a poor student back in the day, Pesto Pasta was always our skint meal of choice. It is cheap, reliable and easy to customise with your preferred vegetables or protein.

Family-friendly, the vibrant green colour and smooth texture of the sauce is sure to tempt adventurous but food-fussy kids. I have seen this recipe called Popeye Pasta or Hulk Pasta – what a great way to get little ones to add some healthy spinach to their diets!

White bowl containing pasta spirals in a bright green spinach sauce, topped with grated parmesan.

Easy Spinach Pesto

This pasta with easy Spinach Pesto doesn’t come from a jar but is still simple, cheap and easy to prepare. I have skipped the nuts on this one for ease and to keep the cost down.

Apart from the fresh spinach and basil, all the ingredients are store-cupboard staples. This recipe is an excellent way to use up spinach that’s getting past it’s best too – it always comes in such big packets!

It is quick and easy to make – simply add all the Spinach Pesto ingredients to a blender or food processor (I use my Nutribullet) and blend until smooth. It can easily be done while the pasta is cooking.

Spinach Pesto is easily made ahead too – you can keep it in the fridge for 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. I love to make a big batch and portion it out for freezing. That way I always have something quick and easy for dinner on busy nights.

Close up shot of Spinach Pesto Pasta.

Ingredients

  • Spinach
  • Basil – you could also parsley in a pinch.
  • Parmesan – or a vegan/dairy free alternative.
  • Olive Oil
  • Garlic – free free to add more cloves
  • Lemon Juice and Zest
  • Salt
  • Pasta – any shapes will work with this dish. I personally love this Fusilli Bucati – it holds shape well and sauces cling to it perfectly.
  • Double/Heavy Cream or Crème Fraîche – optional, if you want to upgrade your pasta sauce add a few tablespoons in before stirring in the pasta.
Pasta spirals coated in a green spinach pesto sauce.

Serving Suggestions

I love this Spinach Pesto Pasta simply as is with a large green salad on the side – It makes a great quick and simple meal. My Tomato and Mozzarella Salad is the perfect accompaniment.

You can also use the recipe as a base and add extra cooked or raw vegetables – sliced cherry tomatoes or olives are a great addition.

You can also stir in some cooked protein if you wish – cooked chicken, prawns, bacon or sausage all work well.

I hope you like this recipe as much as I do! Please leave a comment or tag me on Instagram @carrieskitchen_ if you make it!

More quick & easy Pasta recipes:

  • Pistachio Pesto Pasta
  • Bacon and Pea Pasta
  • Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta
  • Pasta Primavera

Spinach Pesto Pasta

Carrie Carvalho
Spinach Pesto Pasta is an easy and vibrant dish that can be whipped up in less than 15 minutes. Easy to customise and make ahead.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 15 mins
Course Main Course, Pasta
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 servings
Calories 475 kcal

Equipment

  • blender or food processor
  • Pot for cooking pasta

Ingredients
 
 

  • 500 grams your favourite pasta shapes
  • 4 tbsp double/heavy cream or Crème Fraîche optional

Spinach Pesto

  • 200 grams fresh spinach
  • 50 grams parmesan cheese grated
  • 15 grams fresh basil
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 lemon juice and zest
  • 4 tbsp olive oil
  • pinch salt to taste

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook the pasta to packet instructions. When done, drain the pasta and reserve a cup of the cooking water.
  • Meanwhile, add the pesto ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Add more salt and/or lemon juice to taste if desired.
  • Add the spinach pesto to the warm pot used to cook the pasta over a very low heat and stir to warm slightly. Add in the cream or Crème Fraîche if using plus a couple of tablespoons of the reserved pasta water.
  • Add the pasta back into the pot and stir well to coat with the pesto. Add a little more pasta water and/or cream until it reaches your desired consistency.
  • Serve topped with some extra parmesan or fresh basil.

Notes

Spinach Pesto will keep in the fridge for 5 days or can be frozen for up to 3 months. 
Defrost in the fridge overnight. 

Nutrition

Calories: 475kcalCarbohydrates: 66gProtein: 15gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 170mgPotassium: 425mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 3474IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 168mgIron: 2mg
Did you try this recipe?Follow me on instagram and tag me @carrieskitchen_

Subscribe for your FREE 15 Min Pasta Recipes

    We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime.
    Built with ConvertKit
    Spinach Pesto PastaSpinach Pesto PastaSpinach Pesto PastaSpinach Pesto PastaSpinach Pesto PastaSpinach Pesto PastaSpinach Pesto Pasta
    Pin3
    Share
    Tweet
    Share
    Yum1
    4 Shares

    1 Comment

    Previous Post: « Brilliant Brunch Ideas – CookBlogShare Week 38
    Next Post: Sausage Sandwiches with Roast Peppers and Onion »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

    Recipe Rating




    Comments

    1. Nickki says

      September 26, 2021 at 11:32 am

      5 stars
      This pasta looks wonderful and I love how quick it is!! Beautiful colour too.

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    NEVER MISS A POST

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Search by Category

    MOST POPULAR

    Amaretto Orange Margaritas – A Festive CocktailAmaretto Orange Margaritas – A Festive Cocktail
    Easy Eggs Benedict with Quick HollandaiseEasy Eggs Benedict with Quick Hollandaise
    Chilli Prawn Linguine with Tomatoes and White WineChilli Prawn Linguine with Tomatoes and White Wine
    Greek Chicken Tray Bake with Potato and VegetablesGreek Chicken Tray Bake with Potato and Vegetables
    Flamenco Eggs | Spanish Style Baked Eggs with ChorizoFlamenco Eggs | Spanish Style Baked Eggs with Chorizo
    Carrie's Kitchen

    Never miss a recipe

    Subscribe below

    Privacy Policy

    Footer

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Categories

    • Recipe Index
    • Disclosure Policy

    Copyright © 2023 · Thyme Theme by Restored 316

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT