Hulk Pasta (Spinach Pesto)

This hulk pasta is a fun way to incorporate more veggies into your little one’s meals! It is a savory and creamy the whole family can enjoy!

All of our senses are involved when we eat and the sight of food often gives the first impression. This hulk pasta is bright in color and will immediately capture the attention of anyone it is being served to, especially kids! I love calling it Hulk pasta because of its bright green color. It is packed with spinach goodness and flavor! I love serving it with chicken breast for some added protein!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Here is what you’ll need to make this hulk pasta:

• Spinach: The main star ingredient for this dish. Spinach is what gives the sauce its bright green color.
• Walnuts: For added flavor to the spinach pesto sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: For flavor and added creaminess to the pasta sauce.
• Oil: Adds flavor to the pasta sauce and the main liquid used to help the ingredients blend into a smooth texture.
• Seasonings: Garlic powder, black pepper, and a little salt for flavor. Feel free to adjust seasonings according to your taste!
• Pasta Noodles: You can use any noodles you like! I like to stick to plain spaghetti, but this pasta sauce sticks well to any type of pasta.

PROCESS

1. Boil pasta noodles according to package instructions and set aside. Reserve some of the pasta water.
2. Blend the spinach, walnuts, parmesan cheese, oil, and seasonings until smooth. It may be difficult to blend at first, but continue to shake and blend in increments as needed until smooth. If needed, add in a few splashes of cooled reserved pasta water to help thin out the sauce. Make sure the sauce is completely smooth and no traces of nuts remain.
3. Toss the pasta noodles with the sauce until all of the noodles are coated. Make sure that the noodles are not too hot when combined with the sauce to prevent the sauce from turning a dark green color.
4. Taste and season with more salt/pepper to taste. Top with parmesan cheese and serve!

SUBSTITUTIONS

• Spinach: You may replace some of the spinach with some other greens (ex: basil). I personally have only tested this recipe with spinach.
• Garlic Powder: The garlic powder can be replaced with one fresh garlic clove for a fresher garlic taste in the pesto sauce.
• Walnuts: You may replace the walnuts with any type of nuts/seeds you have on hand!

RECIPE NOTES

• When blending the sauce ingredients, make sure to blend them until they are completely smooth and no trace of nuts remains. I love using the smaller cup attachment of my nutribullet blender, but any powerful blender will work.
• Make sure to cool your pasta before combining it with the sauce. If you toss the sauce with steaming hot pasta, the color will turn dark green.

Here are some other spinach-based recipes you may like!

• Spinach Banana Muffins
• Spinach Apple Puffs
• Mini Spinach Quiche