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Divine White Bean Pesto Pasta with Spinach in 30 Min

White Bean Pesto Pasta with Spinach
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Enjoy this bright and satisfying White Bean Pesto Pasta with Spinach. It brings together the deep flavors of traditional pesto with the lightness of white beans for a quick, flavorful weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound pasta (linguine or penne recommended)
  • 1 (15 ounce) can white beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup prepared basil pesto
  • 2 cups fresh spinach
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Lemon zest (optional, for brightness)

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant; do not let it brown.
  3. Add the drained white beans and spinach to the skillet. Cook until the spinach wilts, about 2 minutes.
  4. Reduce heat to low. Stir in the pesto and Parmesan cheese.
  5. Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss gently to coat everything.
  6. If the sauce seems too thick, add the reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until you reach a creamy consistency.
  7. Season with salt and pepper. Add lemon zest if using.
  8. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • If you prefer a creamier sauce, blend half of the white beans with a splash of pasta water to create a smooth base before adding to the skillet.
  • Use homemade pesto for the best flavor, but good quality store-bought works well for speed.
  • This dish is excellent served warm or at room temperature the next day.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://spoonsprout.com/white-bean-pesto-pasta-with-spinach/