Spinach Rocket Pesto Pasta

Bored with jarred pesto? Making your own takes minutes and tastes infinitely better. Blend fresh spinach and rocket from your organic box Large Mixed Produce Box with garlic and herbs for a vibrant green sauce that transforms any pasta into something memorable.

Serves: 4 | Cooking Time: 20 mins

Pesto:

  • 2 cups baby spinach
  • 1 cup rocket
  • 1/2 cup fresh herbs (basil or parsley)
  • 3 cloves of garlic
  • 1/2 cup pine nuts or walnuts, toasted
  • 1/2 cup parmesan, grated
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For Pasta:

  • 400g pasta of choice
  • Reserved pasta water
  • Extra parmesan for serving

  • In a food processor, combine baby spinach, rocket, herbs, garlic, and toasted nuts. Pulse until roughly chopped. Add parmesan and pulse again. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in olive oil until smooth. Add lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  • Cook pasta according to package directions in salted boiling water. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  • Return drained pasta with the pot. Add pesto and toss to coat, adding pasta water a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency. The pasta water helps the pesto coat the pasta evenly.
  • Divide between bowls and top with extra grated parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil.

Storage Tips

  • Refrigerator: Store pesto in an airtight container with a thin layer of olive oil on top for up to 5 days.
  • Freezer: Freeze pesto in ice cube trays, then transfer to freezer bags. Keeps for up to 3 months.
  • Leftover Pasta: Store dressed pasta for up to 2 days. Add a splash of water when reheating.

Variations

  • Add Vegetables: Toss in roasted zucchini, mushrooms, or cherry tomatoes.
  • Add Protein: Top with grilled chicken, prawns, or white beans.
  • Vegan Version: Skip the parmesan or use nutritional yeast.
  • Different Greens: Use all spinach or all rocket depending on what you have.

The combination of greens and herbs creates a complex, peppery flavour. Quick, healthy, and delicious. Our Large Mixed Produce Box includes the organic vegetables you need, delivered straight to your Adelaide home.

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