Welcome to the world of green pasta sauces! As an expert chef who has traveled the globe learning about recipes, I’m thrilled to share this flavorful, fresh take on pasta sauce.
Green sauces are a fantastic way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet while still enjoying the comforting taste of pasta. The vivid green color comes from blending leafy greens like spinach or arugula into the sauce.
Beyond being nutritious, the herbal flavor of greens pairs perfectly with the richness of cheese and cream. This sauce is endlessly adaptable–Try out different greens or herbs to put your spin on it. The possibilities are endless!
In this recipe, I’ll walk you through each step of creating the ultimate green pasta sauce. We’ll start with the ingredients you’ll need to have on hand and explain the easy process from start to finish, along with tips & tricks I’ve learned over the years for taking this sauce to the next level.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned chef, you’ll learn everything you need to know, so get ready to impress your family and friends with this bright, fresh pasta sauce!
Green Pasta Sauce
Equipment
- Large pot for cooking pasta
- Colander
- Large skillet or saucepan
- Immersion blender or countertop blender
Ingredients
- 1 lb fettuccine or linguine pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium shallot, diced
- 4 cups packed baby spinach
- 1 cup packed fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- Salt and pepper to taste
Video
Notes
Procedure
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain in a colander and set aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat while water is boiling. Add the garlic and shallot and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the spinach and basil. Cook, stirring frequently, until the greens, about 2-3 minutes.
- Pour in the broth and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer the sauce to a blender. Add the Parmesan cheese and purée until smooth. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
- Return the sauce to the saucepan and briefly reheat over medium-low.
- Add the cooked pasta and toss to coat. Serve immediately, garnished with more Parmesan cheese if desired.
Tips & Tricks
Here are some of my best tips for taking the green sauce for pasta to the next level:
- Play around with different greens! Spinach is classic, but kale, arugula, or a blend also works beautifully. Just adjust cooking times as needed.
- Boost the nutrition by sneaking in extra veggies. Try adding roasted broccoli, zucchini, or jarred artichokes to the blender.
- For a creamy green pasta sauce without the cream, use puréed beans or potatoes instead. Cannellini or cauliflower work well.
- For a touch of heat, add crushed red pepper flakes or a minced jalapeño when cooking the aromatics.
- Grate the lemon zest into the sauce or finish it with a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten all the flavors.
- For a chunkier texture, pulse the sauce rather than blend it. You’ll get delicious bits of green!
- Make extra sauce to toss with roasted veggies later in the week for an easy side dish.
FAQs
What is green pasta sauce called?
Pesto pasta sauce, Green goddess pasta sauce, Cream spinach pasta sauce, Green vegetable pasta sauce, and Herbed green pasta sauce are some of the names of green pasta sauce.
How to make green pasta sauce?
To make a green pasta sauce, simply purée basil, spinach, or other greens with garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Conclusion
Whipping up a batch of bright, herbal green sauce for pasta is one of my favorite ways to showcase seasonal greens with the fresh, vegetable-packed sauce that pairs perfectly with the comforting taste of pasta.
With just a few simple ingredients and easy steps, you can have a restaurant-worthy meal on the table in under 30 minutes. Use my tips to adapt this flavorful sauce to your tastes.
I hope this recipe inspires you to get creative in the kitchen, so grab some fresh greens and noodles to enjoy this vivid, nutritious pasta dish tonight! This simple spinach and basil green pasta sauce comes together in minutes. Browse our Sauces category for more easy homemade sauce recipes.
