I love a delicious, fresh and filling pasta dinner (who doesn’t right?). This pesto pasta with roasted tomatoes is the perfect mix of tangy pesto sauce, bursting roasted tomatoes and rich parmesan cheese. We love making it with fresh basil from the garden but different greens including spinach and kale work well too. You can also combine the basil with other greens to create a perfect mix. You can also change up the type of nuts that you use – I’ve tried almonds and walnuts and a mixture of both.
Healthy Pesto Pasta with Roasted Tomatoes
Ingredients Needed for the Healthy Pesto
1/2 cup fresh basil
1/2 cup spinach (or other greens – kale, more basil)
1/4 cup walnuts (or other nuts or a mix)
3 tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese
ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
Ingredients Needed for the Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
1 container of grape tomatoes
salt and pepper to taste
Herbs de Provence
olive oil
olive oil spray
Steps to Make the Healthy Pesto and Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
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- Preheat your oven to 350º.
- Boil your water to make the pasta according to the instructions on the box.
- Line a baking pan with aluminum foil and spray the pan lightly with olive oil spray.
- Wash the grape tomatoes thoroughly and cut them in half lengthwise.
- Put the clean tomatoes on the prepared pan. Season the tomatoes with salt and pepper. Add a drizzle of olive oil and a dash of Herbs de Provence.
- Mix the tomatoes around; and make sure that they are evenly coated with olive oil and the herbs and spices.
- Once the tomatoes are prepared, place the pan on the middle rack in the oven and let the tomatoes roast. If you remember, take the tomatoes out halfway through and mix them around.
- To make the healthy pesto, wash your basil (you can keep the stems on) and other greens. If you are using baby spinach the stems are ok but if you’re using kale or regular spinach remove the tough stems and discard them.
- Add the basil, greens, nuts, cheese, olive oil and lemon juice to your food processor (this is the one that I use) and mix it up. I like to use the pulse function and then scrape down the sides of the bowl every once in a while. Season the pesto with salt and pepper as needed.
- When the tomatoes are roasted, the healthy pesto is mixed and the pasta is boiled combine everything, add a bit more parmesan cheese to taste and enjoy!
Roasted tomatoes with a healthy walnut pesto! Perfect for #dinner tonight #healthyeats Click To Tweet
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AnnMarie Irace says
I am making pasta with pesto this week so this recipe caught my eye and I am changing up to this recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Audrey says
I love pesto and those roasted cherry tomatoes sound like a delightful addition. Thanks for sharing on #FridayFrivolity
kristin mccarthy says
What a clean and flavorful dish!
Elizabeth @ Guilty Chocoholic Mama says
Okay, so THANK YOU for using walnuts in your pesto instead of the pine nuts that many pesto recipes call for. I have a high-school senior daughter who decided about 3 months ago to go to a private four-year college instead of our local community school, which means pine nuts are officially out of our budget FOREVER. Anyway. This looks fabulous. Pinned on the spot! Stopping by from #FridayFrivolity!
Jess says
YUM! I may have drooled!! I could eat a large bowl of this! 🙂
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Nicole Salama says
Hi Jess thanks for your comment and hosting the link party each week!
Easy Peasy Life Matters says
This wonderful pesto is making me hungry! Thank you for sharing on the Healthy Living Link Party! We will be featuring your recipe tonight so don’t forget to drop by and grab your featured button 🙂 Have a wonderful evening!
Nicole Salama says
Thanks for featuring my post this week! And of course for hosting the linkup:)
Elaine Matthews says
Great Dish!! Love that you made the pesto yourself!! Yum!! Thanks for sharing on My 2 favorite Things on Thursday! Pinned!
Elaine Matthews says
Yum!! What a great dish!! I love all the fresh herbs used to make the pesto!! I usually by a jar…lol! Thanks for sharing on My 2 favorite Things on Thursday! Pinned!
Dana says
Finally made this today as a meal for later this week – tastes amazing and was so simple to put together! Thanks for sharing.
Nicole Salama says
Hi Dana – so happy that you like it!
Danita Carr says
We love pasta dishes in my family, and this one looks great! Thanks for sharing! #SmallVictories
Nicole Salama says
Thanks for stopping by Danita!
Kaley says
This pasta looks so amazing! I definitely will have to try it out sometime!
Nicole Salama says
Thanks Kaley – it is yummy and really easy. I hope ou like it