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Spinach Pesto Pasta

from kristineskitchenblog.com
This Spinach Pesto Pasta is a delicious pesto chicken pasta and a light and healthy meal with summer vegetables. The spinach and walnut pesto is easy to make and delicious on any pasta. 
Prep Time25 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 633kcal

Ingredients

For the Spinach Pesto:

  • 3 cups fresh spinach loosely packed
  • 1 clove garlic
  • ½ cup walnuts toast them if you have time
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

For the Pasta:

  • ¾ pound green beans trimmed
  • 8 ounces rotini pasta whole wheat preferred
  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast cut into bite-size pieces
  • 8 ounces cherry or grape tomatoes halved

Instructions

Make the Pesto:

  • Place all pesto ingredients except olive oil in the bowl of a food processor. Process until finely chopped. With the processor running, add the oil in a steady stream through the feed tube and process until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.

Prepare the Pasta:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Place green beans in the pot and cook for 2-3 minutes, until just crisp-tender. Use a slotted spoon to scoop green beans into a bowl of cold water. Keep water in pot at a boil. Remove green beans from cold water after a few minutes and place on a clean towel to dry.
  • Add pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package directions for al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water; drain pasta and return to the pot.
  • Line up the green beans a handful at a time and cut in half. Add beans and chicken to the pot with the pasta. Stir in the pesto, adding a little of the reserved pasta cooking water to help loosen the sauce as needed. Gently stir in the tomatoes.
  • The pasta is delicious warm, at room temperature, or chilled. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1/4 recipe | Calories: 633kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 68mg | Sodium: 427mg | Potassium: 821mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 3281IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 244mg | Iron: 4mg
Nutrition information is only an estimate.
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