Blog, Food Recipes

Basil Walnut Pesto with Whole Wheat Spaghetti

Posted by angeladawn1220 on

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, there are not many things I like better than a bowl of pasta! It’s easy to make, warm and comforting and so versatile with all the different flavors you can pair with it! This particular creation I made, is lighter than your cream based sauces and less acidic than your marinara styles. The freshness of the basil pesto blended with the parmesan is PERFECTION! The flavor that the walnuts bring to this pesto is on another level! You can throw this meal together on a busy weeknight and it will feel like you’re sitting at your favorite Italian restaurant enjoying the best thing on the menu! Enjoy this pasta dinner with a nice, chilled glass of Vermentino.

Basil Walnut Pesto with Whole Wheat Spaghetti
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Basil Walnut Pesto with Whole Wheat Spaghetti

Recipe by Saturday Dinners with Ang
0.0 from 0 votes
Course: Blog, Food RecipesCuisine: Italian, Pasta, PestoDifficulty: Easy
Servings

6

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

15

minutes

Ingredients

  • *For the Walnut Pesto*

  • 2 cups 2 Packed Basil

  • 1 cup 1 Parsley

  • 1/3 cup 1/3 Walnuts

  • 1/2 cup 1/2 Olive Oil

  • 3 3 Cloves Garlic, Peeled

  • 1/2 1/2 Lemon Zested & Juiced

  • S&P to taste

  • *For the Pasta*

  • 1 lb 1 Whole Wheat Spaghetti

  • 1/2 – 1 cup 1/2 – 1 Pasta Water

  • 1/4 – 1/2 cup 1/4 – 1/2 Grated Parmesan Cheese

  • 1/2 cup 1/2 Basil Walnut Pesto

  • Pepper to taste

  • Red Pepper Flake for some heat(Optional)

Directions

  • To begin, in a high powered blender, add all ingredients for basil walnut pesto and blend until smooth. Set aside for later
  • In a large pot, bring water to boil and once boiling, salt your water as this is the only time you can flavor your pasta. Add pasta and cook to package directions
  • Once pasta is al dente, add 1/2-1 cup pasta water in your skillet and using tongs, move pasta to skillet. Add parmesan and stir vigorously to melt in to pasta. Add basil pesto a little bit at a time stirring as you go to incorporate it in with the parm and pasta
  • Ladle in bowls and top with some additional lemon zest, parm and basil

Recipe Video

Notes

  • You may have some addtl pesto left over. This is wonderful on sandwiches and as a base for your pizza! Store in the fridge for up to 5 days and see what other creations you can come up with to enjoy this bright jar of goodness!

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