Spinach pesto pasta is a refreshing take on the traditional basil pesto. With its vibrant green color and rich, earthy flavor, it’s a perfect dish for any season. The creamy, garlicky pesto sauce is made by blending fresh spinach with nuts, garlic, Parmesan, and olive oil, creating a smooth and fragrant topping for pasta. Whether served on a busy weeknight or as part of a dinner party, this dish is sure to please anyone craving a healthy and flavorful meal.
The star of this dish is the spinach pesto. Spinach, being milder than basil, gives the pesto a slightly sweeter and more subtle flavor, making it a great choice for those who want something a little different. The addition of garlic and Parmesan gives the sauce depth, while the olive oil provides richness and helps create a smooth texture. Some recipes add pine nuts or walnuts for extra crunch, while others use almonds for a more affordable option.
The pesto is easy to make, too. Simply blend the ingredients together until smooth, and it’s ready to be tossed with your favorite pasta. From spaghetti and linguine to fusilli or penne, any type of pasta can be paired with spinach pesto. The pesto coats each piece of pasta perfectly, creating a deliciously fragrant dish that’s simple yet satisfying.
What makes this pasta even more appealing is its versatility. You can add extra vegetables like roasted cherry tomatoes, zucchini, or bell peppers for added color and nutrition. For a protein boost, grilled chicken, shrimp, or even chickpeas make great additions. The pesto also works as a spread for sandwiches or as a dip for fresh bread, making it a handy recipe to have in your rotation.
Spinach pesto pasta is quick, easy, and full of flavor. It’s a great way to incorporate more greens into your meals while keeping things light and delicious.
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves washed and dried
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated
- 1/4 cup pine nuts toasted
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 8 ounces pasta such as spaghetti or linguine
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a food processor, combine the spinach, parmesan cheese, pine nuts, and garlic. Pulse until roughly chopped.
- With the processor running, gradually add olive oil until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to taste. Pulse a few times to mix.
- Toss the cooked pasta with the spinach pesto until well coated. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition
Easy recipe, but I replaced pine nuts with walnuts, not as good tho.
Yum! I love pesto! 👌🏼
Meh. Thought it would be better. Just pasta with green stuff.
It’s literally just spinach and pasta… not impressed. Maybe a sauce with meat woulda been better?
I thought it was pretty good! The flavors are fresh and different. Have you tried adding some toasted bread crumbs on top for crunch?
This was super quick to make! I loved how fresh it tasted. Will definitely make again!
This was amazing! So fresh and tasty! I’ll make it again for sure!
Quick and easy! Perfect for weeknight dinners!!
Spinach should be cooked first, right? I feel like it can taste weird raw.
I didn’t really like it. The spinach taste was too strong. Not for me.
I loved it! Spinach is healthy, and it gives a unique flavor. Maybe try adding less next time?
Incredible! I added some chicken, and it was delish 😍
Can I use frozen spinach? That’s all I have..
I don’t know, the spinach tasted weird to me. Maybe I used too much? 🤷♂️
This recipe is absolutely amazing! The pesto is so fresh and flavorful, and it was easy to make. My family loved it!
Is pesto supposed to be thick? Mine turned into soup. Followed instructions exact!
Wow, who knew spinach could be this good?! I’m making this again, for sure!
Right? I was shocked too! Spinach is usually blah, but this sauce is a game changer!
Quick & easy! I added some chicken for protein. Didn’t have pine nuts, so I used walnuts instead. Still yum!
That sounds great! Chicken is a smart addition. Walnuts work too!
How did adding chicken change the taste? I thought pesto should be veggie-only? 🤔
I used cashews instead of pine nuts… is that allowed? It was still good!
Of course it’s allowed! Cashews make it creamy and tasty too. I love being creative with recipes!
But that’s not authentic pesto! Pine nuts are kinda important… Aren’t they?
Really easy and quick to make! I added some chicken to mine, came out great! Thnx for this recipe.
So glad to hear you liked it! Adding chicken sounds delicious! 😋
First time making pesto! My food processor broken so I mixed it by hand. It was hard but still taste good!!
Made it tonight and it was honestly better than I expected. I had to sub walnuts for pine nuts, but the texture still came out creamy after adding the olive oil slowly.
I’m not convinced it’ll taste like “real” pesto if you swap walnuts for pine nuts… but if it’s creamy after olive oil, that part makes sense. Did you toast the walnuts too or just use them raw? Also, I always do extra lemon 😅
Glad you tried it! Pine nuts can be pricey—walnuts work surprisingly well in pesto. Adding the olive oil slowly is totally the key for that creamy texture 👌
Yum!!! 🍝
Yum! Super delish! My new fav! 😍
This was fantastic! I loved how fresh it tasted, and the lemon juice added a nice zing. Will definitely make again.
Yum!!!! <3
This looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it! 😊
Pasta agan? Why not try somthin new? Just saying!
Too many greens for my taste. Made my pasta taste like a salad… not sure I’d make it again.
I totally get where you’re coming from! Spinach can be pretty overpowering. Maybe try less spinach next time? 🤔
Not sure why u expected it to taste like anything else with that much greens. Pesto is green! 😂
Pasta is nice but y’all should try it with basil and walnuts instead of spinach and pine nuts. Way better!
Too much garlic!! I love garlic but this was overwhelming. 😩
Too garlicky? I didn’t think it was enough! Just add more pasta! 😂
I thought the garlic was perfect! Maybe use less next time? 😄
Yum! The pesto was really easy to make. But I think I prefer basil over spinach overall.
This recipe was soooo good! I loved the flavor of the pesto with the spaghetti. Will definitely make it again!
I don’t think spinach should be in pasta! Seems weird to me. But hey, whatever floats your boat.
Spinach is actually really good in pasta! It adds flavor and nutrients. Give it a try! 🌱
This is amazing! So simple and delicious. I added some grilled chicken for protein.
Spinach? Ugh. Is that even flavor? My kids didn’t like it, so we won’t be doing this one again.
I actually love spinach! This pesto sounds delicious. Give it another try, maybe blend it with some other flavors?
Your kids might have not liked it, but it’s super healthy! Maybe try making it with less spinach next time?
Spinach? Is that the same as arugula? My wife says yes but I don’t trust her haha. Anyway, the pasta was alright.
I didn’t have pine nuts, used walnuts instead. Still tasty! Just don’t know if it’s a true pesto… lol
Walnuts also make a nice twist! It’s still gonna be yummy. Pesto is just a sauce, right?
meh
Not bad, but it felt kinda rich to me with all that olive oil + parmesan. I’d cut the oil slightly next time or use less cheese.
Not bad, but my pesto came out too thick. I added some more olive oil. Still tasted nice!
A bit too garlicky for my taste! Maybe I’ll cut down on the garlic next time.
Super quick! But my kids said it looked like ‘swamp pasta.’ 😂 They ate it though!
Kids are honest! 😂 Swamp pasta sounds fun, but I bet it was tasty! My kids loved it too!
Absolutely delicious! I made this for dinner and my family loved it. Will make again!
That’s awesome to hear! I love this recipe too. It’s so quick and easy! Just like mom used to make!
Looks good but I tried it and it was too oily for my taste. Maybe less olive oil next time?
Just made this for dinner and it was a big hit with the family! Can’t believe how flavorful it is.
I dunno, it’s kinda bland. I expected more flavor from such expensive cheese and nuts. Maybe add more garlic next time?
This was AMAZING! So fresh and the flavors were on point. Will definitely make it again!
I followed it mostly, but my pesto turned out a little grainy even after adding olive oil. Maybe my spinach wasn’t dry enough? Still tasty though with the pasta.
Hmm mine gets grainy too and I think it’s the parmesan not melting? I added more lemon and it kinda helped but yeah… still good. Maybe try less cheese or blend it longer? Idk.
That grainy texture is super often from the spinach not being dry enough or the oil not getting incorporated slowly enough. Next time, really squeeze/pat the spinach dry and add the olive oil in a steady thin stream while pulsing longer.
Spinach pesto? Never thought of that! Will give it a try!
I dunno, my pesto came out super bitter. Used old spinach I guess. Not sure what I did wrong.
This recipe is confusing. What if I don’t have a food processor? Can I blend it in a jar or smth? Help??
Pasta and spinach? Sounds weird. Didn’t really like it. 😕
I followed it exactly and the pesto came out pretty smooth—love the garlicky, nutty taste. Would definitely make again.
This is fantastic! I never knew spinach could taste this good! My kids loved it too!
I’m so glad to hear that your kids enjoyed it! Spinach really is a superfood! 🌟
Yum! I added some chicken to mine for protein, turned out great! Thanks for sharing!
This was soooo delicious! My family loved it! 😊
Honestly, I don’t think the lemon juice adds anything. Next time I’m leaving it out!
This was amazing! The kids loved it and it was so easy to make. Will definitely make again!
10/10, would recommend! I added a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, gave it a nice kick!
I used cashews instead of pine nuts ’cause I ain’t got none, still taste good.
So easy and quick! Made it for dinner last night. Thanks for sharing!
This pesto is such a bright, fresh twist on the classic! The lemon really wakes everything up, and the pine nuts add a nice richness. I used linguine and it coated perfectly.
Just ok, I expected something different. Maybe more cheese would help? 🤔
Spinach? Yuck. My husband would never eat this. Not for us.
I totally understand! Spinach ain’t for everybody. Maybe try making a different pesto with basil or parsley instead!
Lemon juice in pasta? Sounds wrong. I didn’t even add it and it was fine.
I dunno… I think it needed more garlic or something. It was kinda bland.
Easy to follow. My kids loved it! They don’t usually eat greens, but they gobbled it up. Thanks!
So glad your kids loved it! Spinach is so good for them. I’m definitely trying this with my picky eater. 😊
Sounds healthy, but I worry pine nuts are expensive and kinda unnecessary. Can I just skip them? Also, does it taste like pesto or like green mush? 😅
Too much spinach for me. I thought it was pasta with pesto, not spinach mush. 🤢
I don’t know, tasted kinda weird to me. Maybe I did something wrong? 🤷♂️
Maybe you added too much garlic or not enough oil? It’s a pretty simple recipe, but it’s easy to mess up the flavors.
I thought it tasted great! The lemon juice really makes it pop. Don’t give up, just try it again!
Spinach is good for you, but this was a bit bland for my liking. More salt, maybe?
I totally agree! It needed a bit more flavor. I ended up adding red pepper flakes and it made a huge difference!
Salt? Really? I thought it was delicious as is! But I guess everyone has different tastes.
Pasta is just pasta, but honestly this pesto is out of this world! I like it way better than normal pesto.
Yum! Reminds me of summers in Italy! 🍝
I didn’t have pine nuts, so I used walnuts instead. Still turned out pretty good!
Absolutely delicious! The spinach pesto is so fresh and vibrant. A definite keeper!
This seems too simple. Does it really taste that good? I want to try, but I’m not convinced. 🤔
I’m glad you liked it! Spinach pesto is way better than basil pesto, no doubt! 👍
Who needs a food processor? I just mixed everything in a bowl. It worked fine.
Pine nuts are always expensive 😅 but the recipe feels balanced. I used walnuts once and it worked—still, I’d try to toast them next time for more flavor.
Uh I don’t get why you’re toasting pine nuts? the food processor should warm everything anyway. I used cashews once and it was kinda greasy… maybe I didn’t use enough parmesan.
Totally agree—pine nuts hit the wallet hard 😅 I’ve done it with toasted walnuts too, and it still tastes great. Toasting really does make a difference though!
5 stars! My kids loved it and ate their greens without any fuss! Winner dinner!
Really? Only spinach in the pesto? I’ve always used basil! Not sure about this one.
Pasta!
This recipe is a joke. Why would you put pine nuts? Just use walnuts or something!
This was AMAZING! Perfect for a quick dinner. Will be makin’ it again!
Easy and quick! I like that. Thanks for sharing!
Meh. Just another pasta dish. Not worth the hype. 👎
The instructions were confusing. Do I need to wash the spinach again after cooking? 🤔
Not my favorite pasta recipe, too sour for my liking.
I don’t know about you all, but the flavor was kinda bland. Maybe I did something wrong?
So simple but sooo tasty! I love spinach and this was just right. Thanks!
I added some chicken and it made it so much better! Great recipe overall!
I’m glad you liked it! Chicken is a great addition for some protein. Did you cook the chicken separately or mix it in with the pasta?
Very good! But I used almond instead of pine nuts, still tasted great.
I just threw it all in a blender without a food processor and it was fine! Haha!
Haha, love it! Sometimes you just gotta make do with what you have. It’s all about the taste, right?
I substitute the pasta with zoodles for a low carb option. Surprisingly tasty!
Zoodles? Really? I’m not sure that’s a good sub for pasta. Might as well eat air instead!
I tried zoodles once, and they were good! Love your creativity, makes it feel lighter! 😊
I added some nuts and chicken to it and it was delish! Just a heads up, not enough garlic for my taste!
Best pasta everrrr!!! Will make again.
This was just okay. I feel like something was missing. Maybe a bit too much olive oil?
I’m skeptical about using so much spinach without blanching—mine turned a little dark and I think it affected the flavor. Next time I’ll try blanching first.
Wait, I usually skip blanching and mine comes out fine… maybe your spinach was old or not dried enough? I’ve also been told to use a pinch of sugar or extra lemon if it tastes bitter, but blanching first sounds safest.
Totally get the skepticism—unblanched spinach can go kind of dull/dark and taste a little grassy. Blanching (even just 30–60 seconds) usually keeps it bright and makes a smoother pesto too.
Not sure about the spinach-to-parmesan ratio. It tastes good, but it’s kind of intense/green? I’d love more cheese or less spinach next time.
Totally get that—spinach can be *very* dominant. Next time try increasing the parmesan (like 3/4 cup) and/or using slightly less spinach. Also, make sure your spinach is well-dried, and you can add a touch more olive oil to mellow the flavor. I’ve found pine nuts + extra cheese balance the “green” taste a lot.
Super easy and tastes fresh. The only thing: I squeezed the lemon a bit too early so it got more sour than I expected, but that was my mistake. Great weeknight meal.
I’ve never cooked pasta before and this was so easy to follow. I’m proud of myself!
Not sure about the texture—like if your spinach isn’t super dry, won’t the pesto get watery? Wouldn’t it be better to squeeze it or reduce the oil?
Good question! I’ve found if the spinach is at least fairly dry (like blotted with paper towels), it usually doesn’t turn watery. I wouldn’t add extra oil—if it looks loose, adding more parmesan helps thicken it up.
I think you’re right—spinach can be wet. I always squeeze it a bit after washing, and I also use a little less oil than the recipe says. Otherwise mine turns watery and kinda tastes oily.
I didn’t have pine nuts so I used walnuts instead and it turned out great!
Too much lemon for my taste. It overpowered the dish.
It was okay… too garlicky for my taste. I’m not a huge fan of garlic.
My kids loved it! They ate all the spinach without knowing! Haha 😁👍
1/4 cup pine nuts seems expensive… can I use bread crumbs? or is that sacrilege? 😅
Not sacrilege 😅—but bread crumbs will change the texture a lot. Pine nuts help make it creamy, while crumbs can make it kinda grainy. If you want cheaper, try sunflower seeds or walnuts (even roasted). Toasting makes a big difference.