Pumpkin Seed Pesto Pasta

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Ingredients:

 For the Pumpkin Seed Pesto: 
  • 1 cup raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas) 
  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed 
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced 
  • 1/2 cup nutritional yeast (parmesan cheese for a vegetarian version)
  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil Juice of 
  • 1 lemon 
  • Salt and pepper to taste

 

 For the Pasta: 

  • 12 ounces (about 340g) of your favorite pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne work well) 
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 
  • 1/2 cup fresh spinach leaves 
  • 1/4 cup  1/2 cup nutritional yeast (optional, for garnish) 
  • Extra pumpkin seeds and fresh basil leaves for garnish 
  • Red pepper flakes (optional, for a spicy kick)

 

Instructions: 

Prepare the Pumpkin Seed Pesto: 

  1. In a dry skillet, lightly toast the raw pumpkin seeds over medium heat until they start to turn golden and become fragrant. Remove from heat and let them cool. 
  2. In a food processor, combine the toasted pumpkin seeds, fresh basil leaves, minced garlic, nutritional yeast (or parmesan cheese), and lemon juice. Pulse until the mixture becomes a coarse paste. 
  3. With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil until the pesto reaches your desired consistency. You may need to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula and blend again. 
  4. Season the pesto with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the lemon juice, salt, and pepper as needed to achieve the desired flavor. 

Cook the Pasta:

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until it’s al dente. Drain and set aside. 

Assemble the Pumpkin Seed Pesto Pasta: 

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, and fresh spinach leaves. 
  2. Add the pumpkin seed pesto to the bowl and toss everything together until the pasta and ingredients are well coated with the pesto. 
  3. If you prefer a spicier dish, sprinkle red pepper flakes over the pasta and toss again. 

Serve and Garnish: 

  1. Divide the Pumpkin Seed Pesto Pasta among serving plates. 
  2. Garnish each plate with extra pumpkin seeds, fresh basil leaves, and nutritional yeast if desired. 

Enjoy! Serve your Pumpkin Seed Pesto Pasta as a delightful and flavorful meal. It’s a perfect combination of the nutty richness of pumpkin seeds with the freshness of basil and the tanginess of lemon.

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