Скачать или смотреть Spinach Pesto Pasta

It's Day 9 in my series Start with a Vegetable, and this is a good one!!

Baby spinach is destined for greatness beyond salads and smoothies. It makes the most amazing sauce for pasta that's packed with green goodness and tastes delicious.

My kids love this! Full recipe below

Spinach Pesto Pasta
makes about 1 cup

✦ 5 oz baby spinach 
✦ 1/4 cup olive oil
✦ 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
✦ 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
✦ 1/3 cup toasted slivered almonds
✦ 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
✦ 1/2 tsp kosher salt
✦ 2 cloves garlic 
✦ 1 oz parmesan cheese 

1. Combine everything in a food processor and blend until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.

2. To store the pesto, transfer it to a jar and cover it with a thin layer of olive oil. Seal with a lid and store in the refrigerator for up to a week.

To make this into Creamy Pasta with Spinach Pesto
(serves about 4)

1. Make a batch of spinach pesto as described above.
2. Cook 1 lb of your favorite pasta according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water.
3. Add 1 tbsp of olive oil and 1 minced shallot to a large saute pan over medium heat. Cook for 2 minutes.
4. Add the spinach pesto and saute for 2 minutes. 
5. Move the pan off the heat and stir in ¼ cup of heavy cream and the cooked pasta, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen up the sauce.
6. Serve warm with parmesan cheese grated over top. Enjoy!

#pasta #pesto #easyrecipe