Penne with Creamy Spinach Pesto

Penne with Creamy Spinach Pesto

4.6 of 5 (5)
member ratings
Nutritional Info
  • Servings Per Recipe: 4
  • Amount Per Serving
  • Calories: 432.6
  • Total Fat: 6.1 g
  • Cholesterol: 2.8 mg
  • Sodium: 156.6 mg
  • Total Carbs: 72.6 g
  • Dietary Fiber: 8.5 g
  • Protein: 22.9 g

View full nutritional breakdown of Penne with Creamy Spinach Pesto calories by ingredient


Introduction

This is a quick and super simple recipe, adapted from one by Giada De Laurentiis This is a quick and super simple recipe, adapted from one by Giada De Laurentiis
Number of Servings: 4

Ingredients

    1 box Barilla Plus Penne Pasta (14.5 oz)
    4 cloves garlic
    3 wedges Laughing Cow Cheese
    6-8oz fresh spinach leaves (stems removed or use baby spinach)
    1/2oz grated parmesan cheese
    Crushed red pepper
    Salt & Pepper

Directions

Cook the pasta according to package directions in well salted water.

While it cooks, drop the garlic cloves into the food processor while the blade is spinning to chop them. Add the cheese and all but a handful of the spinach leaves. Pulse until combined and creamy, and season to taste with red pepper, salt & freshly ground black peppper.

Cut the remaining spinach leaves into ribbons and put in the bottom of a large serving bowl. When pasta is cooked, drain and reserve 1 cup of the cooking water. Put the drained pasta on top of the spinach ribbons and add the cheese mixture. Add a bit of the pasta water as needed to achieve desired consistency of the sauce. Fold in the parmesan cheese just before serving.

Number of Servings: 4

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user MLOM513.

Member Ratings For This Recipe


  • no profile photo

    Very Good
    I agree on the garlic comment. It's a bit too much (and I love garlic). Also seems to be pretty big portions (over 3.5 oz of pasta when a usual serving is 2), but it is very good. Nice to have something different. - 7/27/12


  • no profile photo

    Very Good
    I have to say though, I think next time we're going to reduce the amount of garlic. It was a bit spicy for our taste. Still excellent though! - 7/18/08


  • no profile photo

    Incredible!
    Best spaghetti I've had in a very long time! This is definetly a weekly recipe I will make!! - 5/23/08


  • no profile photo

    Incredible!
    My whole family enjoyed this meal, even my very picky son who doesn't normally even like pesto. Definitely a keeper! - 4/5/08


  • no profile photo

    Incredible!
    I'm going to add cilantro instead of basil next time I make this (I added basil this time) , and around 1/4 c. of dry-pan-toasted pumpkin seeds in the food processor. It was great tonight, and I'm sure it will be again, this will become a favorite. - 3/16/08