Best Spinach Pesto Fusilli Recipes

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FUSILLI WITH SPINACH WALNUT PESTO



Fusilli with Spinach Walnut Pesto image

Categories     Sauce     Side     Walnut     Spinach     Boil

Yield makes 3 cups pesto, enough for 1 pound pasta, serving 6 people, and 1 1/2 cups extra (see note)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for pasta pot
9-ounce bag fresh spinach, stems trimmed
2 packed cups fresh basil leaves
2 cups walnut halves, toasted
4 garlic cloves, peeled
1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound fusilli
1/2 cup grated Grana Padano or Parmigiano-Reggiano

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to boil for pasta.
  • Pulse the spinach, basil, walnuts, garlic, and salt in a food processor. Pour in 1 1/2 cups of the olive oil in a slow, steady stream. Process to make a smooth paste, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
  • Pour the fusilli into the boiling water, and cook until al dente. Scrape half of the pesto into a large skillet, and add 1 cup pasta water (no need to heat the sauce). Use a spider to drain the pasta and transfer to the skillet. Toss to coat the pasta with the pesto. Drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Toss with the grated cheese and serve.
  • notes
  • You can freeze the remaining half of the pesto for future use. Just pack it into a plastic container and pour a thin film of olive oil over the top. Thaw in refrigerator before using. Or you can cut the recipe in half, if you just want enough for 1 pound of pasta.

FUSILLI WITH SPINACH AND WALNUT PESTO



Fusilli with Spinach and Walnut Pesto image

The ridges in spiral-cut fusilli are ideal for catching this fresh green sauce, made from spinach and walnuts instead of basil and pine nuts.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 bunch spinach (about 1 pound), trimmed and washed
3/4 cup walnuts, toasted
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 pound fusilli
1/4 cup shaved pecorino cheese (1 ounce), for serving

Steps:

  • Add spinach and 1 tablespoon water to a large skillet set over medium-high. Cook, stirring constantly, until spinach is wilted, about 3 minutes. In a food processor, combine spinach, walnuts, oil, and lemon zest. Process until mixture forms a smooth paste, scraping down bowl as needed. Season with salt and pepper.
  • In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 2 cups pasta water; drain pasta. Return pasta to pot and add pesto, tossing to combine and adding enough pasta water to create a sauce that coats pasta. Transfer to a serving plate, top with pecorino, and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 461 g, Fat 18 g, Fiber 6 g, Protein 16 g

FUSILLI WITH SPINACH-NUT PESTO



Fusilli With Spinach-Nut Pesto image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 30m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

Kosher salt
1 pound fusilli
3/4 cup salted roasted mixed nuts, plus chopped nuts for topping
1 clove garlic, roughly chopped
8 ounces spinach, tough stems removed
Finely grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
Freshly ground pepper
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs; drain and return to the pot.
  • Meanwhile, make the pesto: Pulse the nuts and garlic in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Add the spinach in batches, pulsing until chopped. Add the lemon zest and juice. With the motor running, add the olive oil in a steady stream; process until smooth, 1 minute. Add 3/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste.
  • Add the pesto and tomatoes to the pot with the pasta, season with salt and pepper and toss. Divide among bowls; drizzle with olive oil and top with chopped nuts.

SPINACH PESTO FUSILLI



Spinach Pesto Fusilli image

Spinach, toasted pine nuts, and a splash of lemon juice make a fresh, flavorful sauce for this classic corkscrew pasta.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains

Number Of Ingredients 9

8 ounces baby spinach
3/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
2 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
1 lemon, zest and juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
1 pound fusilli pasta

Steps:

  • Place half the spinach in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add remaining spinach and pulse to chop. Add 1/2 cup pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan, lemon zest and juice, salt, and pepper to the processor and puree.
  • With the motor running, slowly add the olive oil in a steady stream. Transfer pesto to a large bowl. If making in advance, cover pesto with light coating of olive oil and cover with plastic. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  • Cook pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente, about 6-8 minutes, or according to package instructions. Drain pasta and immediately toss with pesto.
  • Serve pasta garnished with remaining pine nuts, grated Parmesan, and a drizzle of olive oil.

FUSILLI WITH SPINACH AND RICOTTA PESTO



Fusilli With Spinach and Ricotta Pesto image

Make and share this Fusilli With Spinach and Ricotta Pesto recipe from Food.com.

Provided by ratherbeswimmin

Categories     < 30 Mins

Time 30m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1/4 cup walnuts or 1/4 cup almonds
3 garlic cloves, threaded on a skewer
2 cups packed fresh spinach, stemmed and washed
7 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
salt
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
1 lb fusilli (or other curly pasta)

Steps:

  • Toast the nuts in a small, heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until just golden and fragrant, 4-5 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a big pot; lower the skewered garlic into the water; boil for 45 seconds.
  • Immediately run the garlic under cold water; remove from skewer, peel, and mince.
  • Place the nuts, garlic, spinach, oil, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in the work bowl of a food processor; process until smooth, stopping as necessary to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
  • Transfer the mixture to a small bowl, stir in the cheeses, and adjust the salt.
  • Add 1 tablespoon salt and the pasta to the boiling water; cook until al dente.
  • Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water; drain the pasta and transfer it back to the cooking pot.
  • Mix in 1/4 cup of the reserved cooking water and the pesto; use the additional 1/4 cup cooking water as needed to moisten the sauce.
  • Divide among 4 warmed bowls and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 775.8, Fat 37, SaturatedFat 7.6, Cholesterol 21.2, Sodium 140, Carbohydrate 88.7, Fiber 4.3, Sugar 2.5, Protein 22.5

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