Pasta with Simple Spinach Pesto

This is a quiet pasta dish made from things that are easy to keep around. The pesto is fresh but not fussy, blended while the pasta cooks and tossed together in minutes.

Ingredients

• Short or long pasta (whatever you have)
• A large handful of fresh spinach
• 1 small garlic clove
• Olive oil
• A small handful of nuts or seeds (pine nuts, walnuts, or sunflower seeds)
• Finely grated hard cheese
• Salt and black pepper
• A splash of pasta cooking water

Instructions

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until just tender. Scoop out a little pasta water before draining.
2. While the pasta cooks, place the spinach, garlic, nuts or seeds, and grated cheese into a blender or food processor.
3. Add a pinch of salt and blend briefly. Drizzle in olive oil until the pesto becomes loose but still textured.
4. Transfer the drained pasta back to the warm pot. Add the spinach pesto and a splash of reserved pasta water.
5. Toss gently until the pasta is coated and glossy. Adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper.
6. Serve immediately, plain or with a little extra cheese on top.

Tips:

• If the pesto feels too thick, add more pasta water — not oil.
• Raw spinach keeps the color fresh; no need to blanch.
• Taste before salting heavily — cheese already adds depth.

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