Pesto Pasta
Artistic Illustration
Pesto Pasta is a flavorful dish made from cooked pasta tossed with a vibrant pesto sauce, typically made from basil, garlic, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese. This dish provides a good source of calcium, contributing to healthy bone maintenance.
This item is served in various meal programs across New York City, including school meals, senior nutrition, shelter feeding, and catering.
Popular Home Recipes for Pesto Pasta
Example recipe — not from the Healthy Heart kitchen. This is a popular home-style version of Pesto Pasta shown for general reference. It does not reflect the ingredients, preparation, or allergens in meals prepared by Healthy Heart Food Service.
Pesto Pasta is a delightful dish that combines al dente pasta with a vibrant homemade pesto sauce, perfect for a quick and nutritious family meal.
Ingredients
- •12 oz spaghetti
- •2 cups fresh basil leaves
- •1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- •1/3 cup pine nuts
- •2 cloves garlic
- •1/2 cup olive oil
- •1/4 tsp salt
- •1/4 tsp black pepper
- •1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Instructions
- 1Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- 2In a food processor, combine basil leaves, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and garlic. Pulse until finely chopped.
- 3With the processor running, gradually add olive oil until the mixture is smooth. Season with salt and black pepper.
- 4In a large bowl, toss the cooked spaghetti with the pesto sauce until evenly coated.
- 5Gently fold in the cherry tomatoes.
- 6Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Chef Tips
- For a nut-free version, substitute pine nuts with sunflower seeds.
- Store leftover pesto in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Add grilled chicken or shrimp for extra protein.
Example home recipe for reference only — not used by Healthy Heart Food Service. For ingredient and allergen information about meals we serve, contact us.
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Referenced By
Other items that mention Pesto Pasta in their descriptions.
About This Item
This menu item is part of meal programs operated by Healthy Heart Food Service, serving schools, childcare centers, senior programs, shelters, and catering clients across New York City, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, Manhattan, and Staten Island. Nutrition information is sourced from the USDA FoodData Central database and reviewed by our registered dietician. Actual values may vary based on preparation methods and serving size. For questions about our meal programs, contact us.