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Dill Pesto Pasta with Spinach and Sun-dried Tomato

This light delicious dill pesto pasta is rich in flavour to be enjoyed as a lunch or light dinner. It is definitely a crowd-pleaser. 
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 4
Calories: 212kcal
Author: Rose

Equipment

  • medium sauce pot
  • Food Processor
  • skillet

Ingredients

Pesto: Yields about 1/2 cup

  • 1 cup fresh dill, loosely packed
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil
  • 1 cup fresh spinach
  • 1/4 cup walnuts
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Pasta:

  • 8 oz penne pasta
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 shallot, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups organic spinach, washed and dried
  • 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/2 cup pasta water
  • 1/2 tsp Himalayan salt
  • dash of pepper
  • 4 tbsp homemade dill pesto (recipe to follow)
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, extra for garnishing

Instructions

  • Fill a medium size pot with water, once it comes to a boil, add about 1/2 teaspoon salt and pasta. Follow instructions on package and cook until al denta.
  • In a food processor, add dill, basil, spinach, walnuts, garlic, lemon juice and salt and pulse a few times until the dill, basil, spinach, walnuts, and garlic, are chopped. Then begin slowly streaming the olive oil through the spout until it starts to bind and the texture should become creamy and all the ingredients are well blended. Make sure you scrap down the sides. You will notice the olive oil separating and that's to be expected.
  • Meanwhile, heat skillet to medium temperature, add olive oil. Once oil is heated through, add shallots and saute for about 1-2 minutes, then add garlic and saute for about 30 seconds, long enough until it becomes fragrant. Stir in spinach and sun-dried tomatoes, and saute for 2 minutes. Add pasta water, salt and pepper to the skillet, and stir in pesto.
  • Add pasta to skillet and evenly toss and combine all ingredients together. Stir in Parmesan cheese.
  • Garnish with Parmesan cheese and chopped basil!

Nutrition

Calories: 212kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 564mg | Potassium: 513mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 3410IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 146mg | Iron: 2mg