Throw together this pistachio pasta for one 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.
[This pistachio pasta 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]
Table of contents
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.
Ingredients
Scroll down to the pistachio pasta recipe card for the amounts of each ingredient, but here's a quick description of what's in this recipe.
- Pistachios
- Spinach
- Basil leaves (or dried basil)
- Mint leaves
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Garlic
- Parmesan cheese
- Lime juice
- Whole wheat linguine
- Chicken tenders
Instructions
Scroll down to the recipe card for more detailed instructions. Here's a quick overview + photos to see how to make this recipe in general.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Make pesto for your pistachio pasta: While pasta and chicken are cooking, make pesto.
5. 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.
6. Once your pasta is al-dente, drain the pasta water. Then add ¼ c blended pesto sauce to pasta, and mix together.
7. Pour noodles into a bowl to eat. Top with pistachios, parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper. Enjoy your pistachio pasta!
PIN HERE to add to your recipe box.
Storage Tips
Store leftover pistachio pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for about a week. For best results, add a dash of water to pasta before reheating, covered. This will keep the sauce silky, and pasta softer (in a good way).
Substitutions/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
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. Use pecans or walnuts in this pistachio pasta to make it pecan or walnut pesto pasta.
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.
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.
What to make with leftover ingredients
When you're cooking for one, you often have leftover produce, cans of whatever ingredient, etc. Here are a couple ideas on how to use up the leftover ingredients. It'll help you save money by wasting fewer 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 pistachio pasta? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!
Quick Pistachio Pasta for One
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.
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 time saving tips to make recipes like this pistachio pasta delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Cooking for One Time Saving Tips.
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.
Leonora Nicolaysen says
I'm always looking for new recipes for the missionaries! This will be on the menu tomorrow; it looks amazing! Thanks, Rebecca!
Rebecca says
oh that's great! they will love it. thanks for commenting 🙂
Andrea Metlika says
Pistachio pesto sounds wonderful! I cannot wait to put this on my pasta!
Rebecca says
awesome! it's so good
Veena Azmanov says
Love the color and the combination. Super delicious and unique and a must try one.
Rebecca says
thanks so much!
Veena Azmanov says
Love the color and love the combination of Pistachio to making this yummy pasta dish. This is so unique and super delicious.
Rebecca says
it's so yummy! thanks