Simple and Delicious Pesto Pasta Recipe for Busy Weeknights

Do you struggle with weeknight dinner ideas? Do you end up getting take-out and later regret your choices?

Quick and easy. Those are my two favorite keywords for busy weeknight dinners.

When it comes to weeknight dinner ideas - keep it simple. 4-5 ingredients, 20 minutes or less, and quick clean up.

Add this simple recipe to your weeknight rotation. It’s so versatile and you can substitute different proteins each time you make it!

Pesto Pasta

Serves 3

Ingredients:

  • Protein of choice (leftover roasted chicken, ground meat, tofu, shrimp, etc.)

  • Trader Joe’s vegan kale, cashew & basil pesto

  • Frozen spinach or any other frozen veggies of choice (add as much as you like!)

  • Banza pasta or another bean-based or high-protein pasta of choice

  • Optional: Herbs and spices

Instructions:

  1. Boil water and cook pasta according to package directions.

  2. Steam or microwave frozen spinach/veggies.

  3. Reheat or cook protein choice.

  4. Drain pasta.

  5. In a large bowl toss pasta, pesto, spinach/veggies, and protein.

  6. Serve and enjoy!

Optional: sprinkle with nutritional yeast or cheese.

Leave a comment if you try this recipe and let me know what you think! What proteins and veggies did you try when you made it?

Angela Houlie, MS, RDN, CDN, LDN

Angela Houlie, MS, RDN, CDN, LDN is a NYC based dietitian and founder of My Fruitful Body Nutrition.

https://www.myfruitfulbody.com/
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