Pasta con le Verdure e Pesto

Pasta con le Verdure e Pesto is a vibrant and flavorful dish that combines al dente pasta with fresh seasonal vegetables and a fragrant basil pesto. This vegetarian delight is not only visually appealing but also packs a nutritious punch, making it a perfect supper option.

Ingredients

• Pasta (fusilli or penne) - 160g
• Zucchini - 1 medium, diced
• Bell pepper (red or yellow) - 1, diced
• Cherry tomatoes - 150g, halved
• Spinach - 100g, fresh
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Pine nuts - 30g
• Fresh basil - 30g
• Parmesan cheese - 30g, grated
• Lemon juice - 1 tablespoon
• Salt - to taste
• Black pepper - to taste

Steps

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
2. While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté the minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Add the diced zucchini and bell pepper to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes until they start to soften.
4. Stir in the halved cherry tomatoes and fresh spinach, cooking for an additional 3-4 minutes until the spinach wilts.
5. In a food processor, combine the fresh basil, pine nuts, grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Blend while slowly adding 2 tablespoons of olive oil until smooth to create the pesto.
6. Once the pasta is cooked, drain and reserve a cup of pasta water. Add the pasta to the skillet with the vegetables.
7. Pour the pesto over the pasta and vegetables, mixing well. If the mixture is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
8. Season with salt and black pepper to taste, then serve immediately with extra Parmesan on top if desired.

Nutrition

• Calories: 550
• Protein: 18 g
• Carbs: 70 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Cholesterol: 10 mg
• Total Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Water: 0.3 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in vitamins and minerals from fresh vegetables.
• High in fiber, promoting digestive health.

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