Whole Wheat Penne with Walnut Sage Pesto, Spinach, and Zucchini
A healthy, light, scrumptious lemon-and-sage-pesto pasta meal that brings a summery flavor to a cold winter evening.
Ingredients
- 1 10 oz bag baby spinach
- 4 zucchini, quartered and sliced
- 4 cups whole wheat penne, cooked
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
- 2 1/2 Tbs chopped walnuts
- 2 Tbs fresh sage leaves
- 2 Tbs fresh lemon juice
- 2 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves (1 for the pesto, 2 minced for the vegetable mixture)
- 1/3 cup vegetable broth
- 1/4-1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp garlic salt
- 1 Tbs Parmesan cheese per serving
Directions
- Cook penne according to package directions, cool and set aside.
- Spray a pan with cooking spray, heat over medium heat. Add zucchini and minced garlic and stir fry lightly (for about 5 min max). Add spinach, garlic salt and oregano and cook through until spinach is wilted. Set aside.
- Combine 1/4 teaspoon salt, parsley, and next five ingredients (through 1 clove garlic) in a food processor; process until finely chopped, scraping sides.
- With processor on, slowly pour broth through food chute, processing until well blended.
- Combine penne and pesto in a pot on low heat until combined and heated through. Add pepper and mix well. Add in vegetables and serve warm, top with 1 Tbsp Parmesan cheese per serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories 400
Calories from Fat 113 (28%)
(20%)Total Fat 13g
(9%)Saturated Fat 2g
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
Monounsaturated Fat 6g
(0%)Cholesterol 1mg
(27%)Sodium 650mg
(45%)Potassium 1582mg
Total Carbohydrate 60g
(47%)Dietary Fiber 12g
Sugars 8g
Sugar Alcohols 0g
(30%)Protein 15g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Nutrition facts are calculated by a food expert using nutritional values provided by the USDA for common products used as recipe ingredients. Actual nutritional values may differ depending on the amounts or products used and can be affected by cooking methods.
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The information presented here is for informational purposes only and was created by a team of US–registered dietitians and food experts. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements, making dietary changes, or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2025.