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April 29, 2020 Updated September 15, 2020 By Rebecca Entrees

Healthy Pistachio Pasta

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pistachio pasta with chicken on top with ingredients around it
pinterest image of pistachio pasta with text overlay

If you’re in need of a quick dinner, grab some healthy pistachio pesto from your freezer and throw this healthy pistachio pasta together in just 15 minutes.

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]

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How will this pistachio pasta make your life easier?

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 your own pesto is a great way to use up greens that are about to go bad, and is easy to make extra to freeze for later. 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.

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 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 healthy pistachio pasta?

pasta and water in a black pot

Start by washing your hands with soap and water, then cook 2 oz pasta, according to box instructions. Drain when done, and set pasta aside. 

Expert Tip: You can swap the linguine with whatever pasta you have on hand.

Expert Tip: Consider saving pasta water, and add a couple tablespoons-1/4 cup back to pasta. This will make it creamier.

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 2 chicken tenders on hot pan. Cook for about3-4 minutes on first side. Flip, and cook another 3-4 minutes.

Expert Tip: Pour about 1/4 cup water over chicken to prevent it from burning or drying out after both sides have been seared.

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: While pasta and chicken are cooking, add all pesto ingredients to high powered blender OR food processor (1/2 c Pistachios, 2 c fresh spinach (1 c frozen), 1/2 c basil leaves (or 1/4 c dried basil), 1/2 c extra virgin olive oil, 2 garlic cloves, 1/4 c grated parmesan, 1 T lemon juice, 1/8 tsp salt). Blend until smooth.

Expert Tip: Swap pistachios for almonds, walnuts, or pecans. Swap spinach for kale or fresh greens.

pasta and pistachio pesto in a black pot

Once pasta is al-dente, drain pasta water. Then add 1/4 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

Expert Tips

  • Use whatever kind of pasta you have on hand
  • Consider saving pasta water, and add a couple tablespoons-1/4 cup back to pasta. This will make it creamier.
  • Pour about 1/4 cup water over chicken to prevent it from burning or drying out after both sides have been seared.
  • Swap 1/2 amount dried basil for fresh
  • Swap pistachios for almonds, walnuts, or pecans.
  • Swap spinach for kale or fresh greens.

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 as other nuts, so I usually don’t use them. My favorite nuts to make pesto with are pistachios & almonds. You can also use pecans or walnuts.

Can you substitute pistachios for pine nuts in pesto?

Yes! This 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?

Absolutely. Grocery store pesto is a great, easy option. But if you have 15 minutes, wilting greens, basil, and a few nuts lying around I highly recommend making it yourself. It’s a great way to use up ingredients before they go bad.

pistachio pasta with 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 pesto? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!

pistachio pasta with chicken and parmesan cheese in a white bowl
Print Pin
5 from 7 votes

Quick Pistachio Pesto Pasta

If you’re in need of a quick dinner, grab the delicious healthy pistachio pesto from your freezer and throw together a this healthy pasta with pistachio pesto.
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 (1/2 cup)
  • 2  cups Fresh spinach  (or 1 c frozen)
  • 1/2 cup Basil leaves (or 1/4 c dried basil)
  • 1/2 cup Extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves Garlic
  • 1/4 cup Grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
  • 1/8 teaspoon Salt

Pasta

  • 3.5 ounces whole wheat linguine or ~1 c other pasta
  • 2 chicken tenders about 8-12 ounces total
  • 1/4 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 1/4 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 (1/2 c pistachios, 2 c fresh spinach, 1/2 c basil leaves (or 1/4 c dried basil), 1/2 c extra virgin olive oil, 2 garlic cloves, 1/4 c grated parmesan, 1 T lemon juice, 1/8 tsp salt). Blend until smooth.
  • Once pasta is al-dente, drain pasta water. Then add 1/4 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-1/4 cup back to pasta. This will make it creamier.
  • Pour about 1/4 cup water over chicken to prevent it from burning or drying out after both sides have been seared.
  • Swap 1/2 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 delivered to your inbox? Click here to download my Single Serving Cookbook.

Categories: Entrees

About Rebecca

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

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Karman | The Nutrition Adventure says

    February 9, 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 9, 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 9, 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 ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  4. Brittany Poulson says

    February 9, 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 ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Reply
  5. Liz says

    February 9, 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 2, 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 4, 2020 at 10:04 am

      I like the way he thinks! awesome!

      Reply
  8. Toni says

    May 2, 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 4, 2020 at 10:04 am

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

      Reply
  9. Roxana says

    May 2, 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 4, 2020 at 10:03 am

      totally does! thanks

      Reply
  10. Veena Azmanov says

    May 2, 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 4, 2020 at 10:03 am

      totally! thanks!

      Reply
  11. Veena Azmanov says

    May 2, 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 4, 2020 at 10:03 am

      it’s so yummy! thanks

      Reply
  12. Veena Azmanov says

    May 2, 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 4, 2020 at 10:03 am

      thanks so much!

      Reply
  13. Andrea Metlika says

    May 2, 2020 at 1:06 pm

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

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      May 4, 2020 at 10:02 am

      awesome! it’s so good

      Reply

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Welcome! I’m Rebecca, a dietitian & lazy home cook. On Nourish Nutrition, you’ll find quick, delicious recipes for one person to get you excited to cook at home.

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