Pesto Pasta with Potato, Spinach & Green Beans Pasta alla Genovese
  • Prep time: 20 minutes
  • Calories: 547
This is a family favourite of ours! Based on the classic Ligurian pasta alla Genovese, the pesto is the perfect vessel to hide some extra leafy greens, like spinach which is full of iron, folate and vitamin C. Add some good fats from pine nuts and calcium from delicious parmesan and you are on to a winner! The kids won't suspect a thing and will be sure to want more. Sometimes it's the small wins that count.
Ingredients
  • 180 g of Spaghetti #5
  • 1 of Royal Blue Potatoes
  • 130 g of Green Beans
  • 1⁄3 Cup of Pesto
  • 20 g of Parmesan (Finely Grated)
  • 2 Tbsp of Pine Nuts
  • 1 75g Pack of Baby Spinach
Recipe

Prepare Ingredients:

Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. Peel the potatoes and cut into small 2cm chunks. Trim green beans and slice in half.

Toast Pine Nuts:

In a small frypan over low-medium heat, dry toast the pine nuts gently until light golden, about 2 minutes

Cook Potatoes, Pasta and Beans:

Add potatoes to pot of boiling water. Cook for 3 minutes and add the pasta. Cook pasta and potatoes for 6-8 minutes until pasta is al dente and potatoes are tender (see tip). Add green beans with 2 minutes to go on pasta cooking time. Reserve about 1⁄2 cup cooking liquid, drain the pasta, potatoes and green beans and return to the pot.

Add Spinach to Pesto:

Meanwhile, place pesto, a large handful (or 2, your call) of spinach in the bowl of a food processor with 1-2 Tbsp olive oil. Blend until smooth and season to taste with salt and pepper.

You Plate It:

Add pesto to the drained pasta, potatoes and beans with enough cooking water to create a sauce that coats the pasta well. Divide into bowls and serve immediately garnished with remaining parmesan. Enjoy!