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    Home » Recipe Index » Pasta Dishes

    Healthy Pistachio Pasta

    April 29, 2020 Updated October 28, 2022 By Rebecca Cooking for One, Entrees, Pantry Dinners, Pasta Dishes, Prep Ahead Meals, Spring Recipes

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    pistachio pasta with chicken on top with ingredients around it
    pinterest image of pistachio pasta with text overlay

    Throw together this healthy pistachio pasta in just 15 minutes. All you need is pasta, pistachio pesto from your freezer, chicken, and parmesan cheese. It's a great recipe to use up wilting spinach, and is freezer friendly.

    pistachio pasta with chicken on top with ingredients around it

    [This recipe was originally posted in November 2018. It has been updated with new photos, cooking instructions, expert tips, FAQ, related recipes, video and ways to repurpose/use up ingredients]

    PIN HERE to add to your recipe box.

    Table of contents

    • How will this pasta with pistachio sauce make your life easier?
    • What makes this pistachio pesto pasta so good?
    • How do I make this pasta dish?
    • Expert Tips
    • FAQ
    • What can I make with leftover ingredients?

    How will this pasta with pistachio sauce make your life easier?

    This easy pistachio pasta recipe is a great throw-together pantry meal. Swap the nuts or greens if you have to, but I bet you'll have everything on hand that you'll need.

    Pesto is a great sauce to have on hand. It's easy, tasty and versatile. You usually have 2 options for pesto. Homemade or store bought. While store bought is easiest, it can be expensive. Making pesto is a great way to use up about to go bad-greens.

    If you're interested in other easy pantry pasta recipes this 15 minute pasta is a great option, so is this protein packed mac & cheese. Here are more pantry recipes.

    What makes this pistachio pesto pasta so good?

    • Pistachios
    • Spinach
    • Basil leaves (or dried basil)
    • Mint leaves
    • Extra virgin olive oil
    • Garlic
    • Parmesan cheese
    • Lime juice
    • Whole wheat linguine
    • Chicken tenders

    How do I make this pasta dish?

    pasta and water in a black pot

    Start making this pistachio pasta by washing your hands with soap and water, then cook pasta, according to box instructions. Drain when done, and set pasta aside. 

    two chicken tenders in a small frying pan

    Cook chicken: Set frying pan over medium-high heat. Spray pan with cooking spray once hot. Place chicken tenders on hot pan. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on first side. Flip, and cook another 3-4 minutes.

    tongs holding a chicken tender over a frying pan

    Check doneness by using instant read thermometer or by cutting into thick part of the chicken. Chicken will be done when it reaches 165 degrees F, or you don't see any pink when you cut into it.

    spinach, basil, pistachios, and olive oil in a blender

    Make pesto for your pistachio pasta: While pasta and chicken are cooking, make pesto.

    Transfer remaining pesto to ice tray, freeze, then transfer your pistachio pesto to freezer bag for later. That way you can whip up some pesto pasta really quickly.

    pesto over pasta in a black pot

    Once your pasta is al-dente, drain the pasta water. Then add ¼ c blended pesto sauce to pasta, and mix together.

    Pour noodles into a bowl to eat. Top with pistachios, parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper. Enjoy your pistachio pasta!

    Expert Tips

    • Use whatever kind of pasta you have on hand for this pistachio pasta.
    • Consider saving pasta water, and add a couple tablespoons-¼ cup back to pasta. This will make it creamier.
    • Pour about ¼ cup water over chicken to prevent it from burning or drying out after both sides have been seared.
    • Swap ½ amount dried basil for fresh.
    • Swap pistachios for almonds, walnuts, or pecans.
    • Swap spinach for kale or fresh greens in this pistachio pasta.

    FAQ

    What kind of nuts can you put in pesto?

    Pesto usually has pine nuts, but they're expensive and not as easy to find. My favorite nuts to make pesto with are pistachios & almonds. You can also use pecans or walnuts in this pistachio pasta to make it pecan or walnut pesto pasta.

    Can you substitute pistachios for pine nuts in pesto?

    Yes! This pistachio pasta recipe is a great way to swap pistachios for pine nuts. Again, they're less expensive and have great flavor. Plus they'll add more green to your pesto.

    Can you buy pesto at the grocery store?

    Yes. Pre-made pesto is easy, but if you have 15 minutes, wilting greens, basil, and nuts lying around, I recommend making pistachio pesto and then make this quick pistachio pasta. It's great way to use up ingredients before they go bad.

    pasta pesto, chicken, and parmesan cheese in a white bowl

    What can I make with leftover ingredients?

    • Spinach: Thai Ground Beef & Spinach Bowl, Homemade Shamrock Shake (mint chocolate milkshake)
    • Chicken: Easy Chicken Salad Pitas, Chicken & Broccoli Casserole
    • Pistachios: Beet & Goat Cheese Salad, Spinach Salad with Mandarin Oranges, Avocado Grapefruit Salad, or add them to this Warm Kale Salad

    Did you make this healthy pistachio pasta? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!

    square image of pesto pasta with chicken and parmesan cheese
    Print Pin
    5 from 8 votes

    Quick Pistachio Pasta

    Throw together this healthy pistachio pasta in just 15 minutes. All you need is pasta, pistachio pesto from your freezer, chicken, and parmesan cheese. It's a great recipe to use up wilting spinach, and is freezer friendly.
    Course dinner, Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 15 minutes
    Total Time 20 minutes
    Servings 1 person
    Author Rebecca

    Equipment

    • High powered blender OR food processor
    • cutting board
    • knife
    • Measuring Cups
    • Measuring Spoons
    • Frying Pan
    • Pot
    • Microplane grater

    Ingredients

    Pistachio Pesto

    • 2 oz Shelled Pistachios (½ cup)
    • 2  cups Fresh spinach  (or 1 c frozen)
    • ½ cup Basil leaves (or ¼ c dried basil)
    • ½ cup Extra virgin olive oil
    • 2 cloves Garlic
    • ¼ cup Grated parmesan cheese
    • 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
    • ⅛ teaspoon Salt

    Pasta

    • 3.5 ounces whole wheat linguine or ~1 c other pasta
    • 2 chicken tenders about 8-12 ounces total
    • ¼ cup pistachio pesto sauce made with Wonderful pistachios
    • parmesan cheese for garnish
    • Pistachios for garnish

    Instructions

    • Cook 3.5 oz pasta according to box instructions. Drain pasta when done, and set aside.
    • Spray frying pan with cooking spray. Cook chicken tenders in frying pan on medium-high heat. Pour about ¼ cup water over chicken to prevent it from burning or drying out after both sides have been seared. Should take 5-7 minutes to cook.
    • Make Pesto: While pasta and chicken are cooking, add all pesto ingredients to high powered blender OR food processor (½ c pistachios, 2 c fresh spinach, ½ c basil leaves (or ¼ c dried basil), ½ c extra virgin olive oil, 2 garlic cloves, ¼ c grated parmesan, 1 T lemon juice, ⅛ tsp salt). Blend until smooth.
    • Once pasta is al-dente, drain pasta water. Then add ¼ c blended pesto sauce to pasta, and mix together.
    • Place noodles in bowl to eat. Top with pistachios, parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper.
    • Transfer remaining pesto to ice tray, freeze, then transfer to freezer bag for later.

    Video

    Pistachio Pesto

    Notes

    • Use whatever kind of pasta you have on hand
    • Consider saving pasta water, and add a couple tablespoons-¼ cup back to pasta. This will make it creamier.
    • Pour about ¼ cup water over chicken to prevent it from burning or drying out after both sides have been seared.
    • Swap ½ amount dried basil for fresh
    • Swap pistachios for almonds, walnuts, or pecans.
    • Swap spinach for kale or fresh greens.

    Want to get more single serving recipes like this pistachio pasta delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Single Serving Cookbook.

    Recipes are great, but you’ll need a simple 3 step process to create a meal plan that make cooking easy & helps you stop wasting food. Check out this expertly developed meal planning guide to get started. 

    More Pasta Dishes

    • Easy Pasta Recipes for One
    • Single Serving Mac and Cheese
    • Jerk Shrimp Pasta
    • Pesto Pasta for One

    About Rebecca

    Welcome! I’m Rebecca, a food loving dietitian. On Nourish Nutrition, you’ll find real, quick, and nourishing recipes for one that'll get you to want to cook for yourself, because you deserve it.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Karman | The Nutrition Adventure says

      February 09, 2018 at 8:50 am

      Gorgeous photos & I love the recipe for pistachio pesto!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 12, 2018 at 10:49 am

        thanks so much Karman!

        Reply
    2. Deborah Brooks says

      February 09, 2018 at 8:54 am

      I am loving all of the creative things people are doing with pistachios!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 12, 2018 at 10:50 am

        right, there are so many things to make with pistachios!

        Reply
    3. Dietitian Jess says

      February 09, 2018 at 9:12 am

      Glad to hear you are back to loving pesto! It's my favorite sauce- love the switch up with the pistachios, genius because pine nuts are way too expensive!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 12, 2018 at 10:49 am

        ohh so true! and I like pistachios way better than pine nuts too 🙂

        Reply
    4. Brittany Poulson says

      February 09, 2018 at 11:30 am

      This looks so refreshing! I love the idea to freeze the pesto. I never seem to use all of mine and it goes to waste - I'll have to freeze it next time!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 12, 2018 at 10:47 am

        same here! it drives me crazy 😉

        Reply
    5. Liz says

      February 09, 2018 at 6:06 pm

      This looks beautiful! Your photos always amaze me!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 12, 2018 at 10:45 am

        Thanks so much Liz xoxo

        Reply
    6. Anne|Craving Something Healthy says

      February 10, 2018 at 11:11 pm

      That pesto looks amazing!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        February 12, 2018 at 10:44 am

        thanks Anne!

        Reply
    7. Denay DeGuzman says

      May 02, 2020 at 12:37 pm

      5 stars
      My husband is all about pesto! He loves it on toast, pizza and pasta. Your pistachio pesto was easy to make and absolutely delicious!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        May 04, 2020 at 10:04 am

        I like the way he thinks! awesome!

        Reply
    8. Toni says

      May 02, 2020 at 12:48 pm

      5 stars
      I am in love with this pasta recipe! Such fresh flavors and so wholesome. I used gluten-free pasta and it was perfect!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        May 04, 2020 at 10:04 am

        great to hear! I love when people can adapt to meet their needs!

        Reply
    9. Roxana says

      May 02, 2020 at 12:49 pm

      5 stars
      What a great pistachio recipe. It combines all the nourishing green things in a delicious way. Loved it.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        May 04, 2020 at 10:03 am

        totally does! thanks

        Reply
    10. Veena Azmanov says

      May 02, 2020 at 1:01 pm

      5 stars
      Love the color and love the combination of Pistachio to making this yummy pasta dish. This is so unique and super dleicious.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        May 04, 2020 at 10:03 am

        totally! thanks!

        Reply
    11. Veena Azmanov says

      May 02, 2020 at 1:02 pm

      5 stars
      Love the color and love the combination of Pistachio to making this yummy pasta dish. This is so unique and super delicious.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        May 04, 2020 at 10:03 am

        it's so yummy! thanks

        Reply
    12. Veena Azmanov says

      May 02, 2020 at 1:04 pm

      5 stars
      Love the color and the combination. Super delicious and unique and a must try one.

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        May 04, 2020 at 10:03 am

        thanks so much!

        Reply
    13. Andrea Metlika says

      May 02, 2020 at 1:06 pm

      5 stars
      Pistachio pesto sounds wonderful! I cannot wait to put this on my pasta!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        May 04, 2020 at 10:02 am

        awesome! it's so good

        Reply
    14. Leonora Nicolaysen says

      July 07, 2021 at 5:54 pm

      5 stars
      I'm always looking for new recipes for the missionaries! This will be on the menu tomorrow; it looks amazing! Thanks, Rebecca!

      Reply
      • Rebecca says

        July 19, 2021 at 2:29 pm

        oh that's great! they will love it. thanks for commenting 🙂

        Reply

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    At Nourish Nutrition, you'll find bold, flavorful recipes for one. Most are single serving, and all have suggestions to use up the leftover ingredients so you can stop throwing away unused ingredients & leftovers!

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