Spring Pesto Pasta

LOW-CARB SPRING PESTO PASTA

What does spring taste like to you? For us, it's bright, fresh, herbaceous flavors that feel light yet satisfying. This low-carb pesto pasta nails that springtime aesthetic (although it's perfect year-round).

With dill, parsley, mint, and walnuts, the low-carb pesto pasta is a great vegetarian dish that literally comes together in no time flat. You can enjoy it without guilt or stress because we use It’s Skinny Angel Hair with zero net carbs. How's that for a weeknight dinner solution?

PESTO AND PASTA: A WINNING COMBINATION

Who doesn’t love pesto?! The combination of herbs, cheese, and nuts makes a perfect accompaniment for pasta, chicken, fish, and many other meals. Pesto is one of the most simple pasta sauce recipes; the best part is that it comes together in minutes.

Most modern pesto is attributed to a famous Italian chef Giovanni Battista Ratto, who first shared his suggestion of pesto in the definitive Italian cooking tome, La Cuciniera Genovese, in 1863. Because the combination of pine nuts, basil, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and olive oil blended together so well, it soon became an Italian staple.

The word pesto means to pound or to crush (stemming from the Italian word pestare). Anyone who's ever made pesto quickly understands how it got its name. The ingredients are crushed using a blender (or a traditional mortar and pestle) to create a flavorful paste that gently coats the surface of pasta noodles. The easiest way to make this pesto sauce recipe is to use a food processor, but if you want to take out some frustration by crushing and pounding those herbs, we say go right ahead!

We've mixed things up a bit for our low-carb pesto while still paying proper homage to the original dish. We wanted to capture the bright flavors of a spring garden—which means using plenty of herbs. Choose fresh herbs for pesto whenever possible. Dried herbs don't have the same fresh flavor, nor do they create the right texture for pesto. If you've saved fresh herbs and olive oil in ice cube trays, you could also add them to this dish.

In this spring pesto, we use lemon zest for a citrusy zing that tastes like sunshine! While you could use traditional pine nuts, whole walnuts merry with the other ingredients to create a deep, almost meaty flavor. Plus, you can’t go wrong with walnuts—they have plenty of antioxidants and healthy Omega-3 fats. Alpha-linolenic acid is a particularly beneficial Omega-3 for preventing heart disease. The walnuts, along with olive oil, help this blend up into an irresistible creamy pesto sauce you'll love.

The recipe includes fresh parsley, cilantro, dill, and mint, making it taste like an herb garden. When you combine all these yummy herbs, you get a punch of flavor that’s simultaneously bright, zesty, energetic, and yet comforting and familiar. When you try this pesto, you’ll want to add it to everything (go ahead—it’s healthful and delicious)!

THE ANGELIC GUILT-FREE ANGEL HAIR

Looking for pasta that’s as good as it is good for you? It’s Skinny will blow your mind! There’s a good reason why shirataki noodles are known as miracle noodles. It’s Skinny has ZERO net carbs, 9 calories per delicious pack.

Because konjac root contains a filling type of fiber called glucomannan, it helps you stay satisfied without leaving you feeling stuffed or carb-loaded (like traditional pasta). It's Skinny is the best way to kill your pasta cravings guilt-free, all thanks to konjac.

What’s that? You’ve never heard of konjac root? Konjac is a root vegetable like a turnip, radish, or potato. It makes a great base for pasta. We use konjac root as a key ingredient to make all four varieties of It’s Skinny. Konjac noodles are mind-blowingly good with this keto pesto sauce. It makes the perfect side dish or a yummy main.

It’s Skinny is available in the following styles:

• Angel Hair
• Spaghetti
• Fettuccine
• Rice Shape

If you can’t decide, order the variety pack! You’ll get all the flavors to try, so you can decide which one you prefer.

You can use It’s Skinny as a swap for their traditional high-carb regular pasta counterparts. It’s fast, easy, and so simple to use. Simply open up the pack, drain, and add the It’s Skinny to your other ingredients at the end of the cooking time. It takes only a few minutes to heat through, and it’s ready to enjoy the next time you need a fast dinner.

It’s Skinny is kosher, keto diet-friendly, low-carb, and plant-based. It’s perfect for all lifestyles and dietary preferences. It's Skinny has nutrition information that can't be beat, offering a way to make low-carb tasty recipes for the whole family. Explore our database of low-carb and keto recipes to get ideas on how to use your noodles!

COOKING QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Are you ready to make this spring pesto pasta your own? When you cook with It’s Skinny, we encourage you to make it your own! Feel free to get creative in the kitchen, experiment, and have fun.

If this is your first time working with It’s Skinny, you will likely have some questions—and we have answers! Here are a few common queries about low-carb pesto pasta.

CAN I CHANGE THE HERBS OR WALNUTS IN THIS PESTO RECIPE?

Although we call this a "spring" pesto, it's delicious any time of year. If you have a windowsill herb garden, this pesto recipe is a great way to experiment with fresh herbs for a unique taste experience. The key is always to choose fresh herbs; otherwise, feel free to mix it up!

Try chives, fresh basil leaves, thyme, marjoram, and any other herbs you love in this pesto. You can swap the walnuts for hazelnuts, cashews, macadamia nuts, pecans, or any other nut you prefer. Almonds work well in pesto, as do traditional pine nuts. Even sunflower seeds could work. Pesto is basically a fool-proof way to use any raw nuts and fresh herbs with ease!

WHAT PROTEIN GOES BEST WITH THIS PESTO PASTA?

Low-carb pesto pasta goes well with an array of different protein choices. Try serving it with chicken breast, fish, shrimp, and even cooked turkey (it's a great accompaniment when you're trying to use up holiday leftovers). If you're trying to eat plenty of protein, pesto is a yummy way to add some sauce!

If you'd prefer to keep it vegetarian, pair this dish with marinated tofu or add white beans to your pasta. Both would keep with the fresh, springtime flavors while giving you a plant-based protein boost.

COULD I ADD MORE VEGETABLES?

We say that there's ALWAYS room for vegetables! Spring pesto pasta goes with all types of vegetables, but it's especially lovely with those you'd find growing in the spring months. A few of our favorites include asparagus, spinach, and leeks. Chopped fennel bulbs are a nice spring veggie. Add a few more garlic cloves, swap in avocado oil, or add red bell pepper. Like classic basil pesto, this recipe offers a healthy way to get extra vegetables while still sticking to a low carb or ketogenic diet.

You could include peas, which are always great with fresh herbs (but tend to be higher in carbs than some other vegetables). Carrots are also delicious with spring dishes. Of course, if you're watching your carbohydrate numbers, consider squash, zucchini, baby broccoli, and other keto-friendly tender vegetables.

HOW TO MAKE LOW-CARB PESTO PASTA

If all this talk of yummy, herbaceous pasta has made your mouth water, don't worry! We're ready to start cooking. This killer low-carb pesto pasta comes together so very fast. All you need is a quick blend in a food processor or blender. Heat up, and you're ready to enjoy a beautiful, healthy dish.

WATCH OUR VERY OWN CHEF MICHELE WHIP UP THIS LOW-CARB PESTO PASTA ON YOUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL!