Zucchini Pesto Pasta
The most delicious Zucchini Pesto Pasta made with fresh mint, parsley, parmesan and nuts. This super quick recipe uses a vibrant green zucchini pesto made in a food processor and tossed with spaghetti. Healthy and packed with flavour!
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time15 minutes mins
Total Time20 minutes mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 574kcal
- 14 oz spaghetti (400g) or pasta of choice
- 1 pound zucchini (courgettes) about 2-3 medium (500g)
- 1 cup Parmigiano Reggiano (50g) grated
- ⅓ cup whole almonds (50g)
- 3 sprigs fresh mint (10g)
- 1 handful fresh parsley (5g)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to season
To make zucchini pesto pasta
Wash the zucchini then place them in the boiling water whole (do not trim any ends or cut them first). Boil them for 8 minutes then carefully remove them with tongs to a cutting board, do not drain the water.
Add the pasta to the boiling water (add more salt if needed) and cook until al dente.
Meanwhile, cut the ends off of the zucchini and roughly chop them. Add the chopped zucchini to a food processor and blitz to a loose paste.
Next, add the cheese, nuts, mint, parsley, olive oil and a pinch of salt and blitz to a paste. Add around 2 tablespoons of pasta water to loosen it.
Transfer the zucchini pesto to a large mixing bowl and add the pasta once cooked. Toss everything together so the pasta is combined with the pesto (add a little more pasta water if needed) and serve.
- Reserve pasta water - we usually only use about 2 tablespoons of reserved pasta water to loosen the zucchini pesto slightly but you may need more when you toss it with the pasta so it's always best to reserve a little more than you need.
- Prepare in advance - the zucchini pesto can be made a day in advance and stored in the fridge. Bring it out of the fridge for at least 30 minutes before using it so it's not too cold.
- Other nuts to use - if you don't have almonds you could use pistachios, walnuts, cashews or pine nuts.
- Leftovers and storage - the pasta will keep well in the fridge for 1-2 days and can be eaten cold or a room temperature.
Calories: 574kcal | Carbohydrates: 82g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 218mg | Potassium: 668mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 559IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 230mg | Iron: 3mg