Spinach & Toasted Pumpkin Seed Pesto Pasta

Health score
31%
Spinach & Toasted Pumpkin Seed Pesto Pasta
45 min.
6
565kcal
26.63%sweetness
60.37%saltiness
38.75%sourness
36.83%bitterness
74.22%savoriness
100%fattiness
0%spiciness

Suggestions

This spinach and toasted pumpkin seed pesto pasta is a delicious and nutritious dish that's perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a hearty side. With a blend of fresh spinach, zesty lemon, and crunchy pumpkin seeds, this pasta is packed with flavor and texture. The addition of chicken breast adds a boost of protein, making it a satisfying and well-rounded meal. The best part? It's ready in just 45 minutes! So, if you're looking for a new way to spice up your pasta night or want a dish that's both tasty and nutritious, this spinach and toasted pumpkin seed pesto pasta is definitely one to try. It's a great option for lunch or dinner and can be easily customized with your favorite ingredients. Whether you're feeding a crowd or simply looking for a new recipe to add to your repertoire, this dish is sure to impress.

Ingredients

  • large chicken breast halves 
  •  juice of lemon (juice only)
  • tbsp cooking fat (I used rendered chicken fat, but butter or olive oil will do nicely)
  • servings oregano dry
  • cups baby spinach packed
  •  lemon zest 
  • 0.3 cups olive oil ()
  •  spring onion green
  • cloves garlic 
  • cup pumpkin seeds toasted
  • Tbs parsley chopped
  • servings pepper 
  • lbs soup noodles 
  • 0.5 tbsp pumpkin seeds for toasting pumpkin seeds
  •  parmesan 

Equipment

  • bowl
  • frying pan
  • pot

Directions

  1. Start by boiling water for pasta in a large pot.
  2. Add some salt and olive oil to prevent pasta from sticking. When water is boiling, add pasta, stir, reduce heat to medium and cook until ready (9-12 minutes, depending on pasta type).
  3. Drain an set aside.
  4. While pasta is cooking, prepare the rest of the components simultaneously.
  5. Start by heating the cooking fat in a skillet over medium heat.
  6. Sprinkle chicken breast halves with salt, pepper and dry oregano all over.
  7. Place chicken in heated oil and cook on both sides for a short time (1 minute each).
  8. Add juice of 1 lemon to the skillet, reduce heat to medium/low and continue cooking, turning occasionally, until done (about 10 - 12 minutes). Set aside.
  9. If toasting pumpkin seeds, put 1/2 tbsp of coarse salt in a small (preferably cast iron) skillet over medium heat.
  10. Add pumpkin seeds. Toast seeds for a few minutes, stirring or shaking frequently, until they start to crack and turn golden. Turn off the heat and leave pumpkin seeds in the skillet until cool. When move seeds away from salt before using them. It won't be hard, because they are lighter than coarse salt. Discard the salt.
  11. Now you are ready to prepare pesto.
  12. Reserve 1-2 tbsp of pumpkin seeds for garnish.
  13. Put the remaining pumpkin seeds and the rest of the pesto ingredients in a processor and hit pulse a few times at first, allowing everything to settle. Now turn the processor on and see if pesto is thin enough (consistency of pancake batter). If not, add a little more olive oil and/or lemon juice as you work the pesto.
  14. Slice or dice cooked chicken breasts.
  15. Assemble your dish in serving bowls: pasta, chicken, pesto, pumpkin seed sprinkle and shaved or grated parmesan.
  16. Now inhale deeply and try to say Spinach & Pumpkin Seed Pesto Chicken Pasta Bowl three times in a row fast. That's it!

Nutrition Facts

Calories565kcal
Protein15.69%
Fat41.83%
Carbs42.48%

Properties

Glycemic Index
42
Glycemic Load
23.05
Inflammation Score
-10
Nutrition Score
25.835217391304%

Flavonoids

Eriodictyol
0.24mg
Hesperetin
0.72mg
Naringenin
0.07mg
Apigenin
4.1mg
Luteolin
0.15mg
Kaempferol
1.07mg
Myricetin
0.35mg
Quercetin
1.28mg

Taste

Sweetness:
26.63%
Saltiness:
60.37%
Sourness:
38.75%
Bitterness:
36.83%
Savoriness:
74.22%
Fattiness:
100%
Spiciness:
0%

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:565.35kcal
28.27%
Fat:26.43g
40.65%
Saturated Fat:5.1g
31.86%
Carbohydrates:60.39g
20.13%
Net Carbohydrates:56.14g
20.42%
Sugar:2.62g
2.91%
Cholesterol:29.89mg
9.96%
Sodium:71.71mg
3.12%
Protein:22.3g
44.6%
Vitamin K:130.65µg
124.43%
Selenium:61.43µg
87.76%
Manganese:1.45mg
72.43%
Phosphorus:381.61mg
38.16%
Magnesium:135.73mg
33.93%
Vitamin A:1661.92IU
33.24%
Vitamin B3:6.02mg
30.08%
Vitamin B6:0.47mg
23.41%
Copper:0.42mg
21.15%
Vitamin E:2.85mg
19.02%
Iron:3.23mg
17.93%
Fiber:4.25g
17%
Zinc:2.36mg
15.76%
Potassium:537.04mg
15.34%
Folate:61.19µg
15.3%
Vitamin C:12.1mg
14.67%
Vitamin B5:1mg
9.99%
Vitamin B1:0.15mg
9.74%
Vitamin B2:0.15mg
8.55%
Calcium:70.74mg
7.07%
Vitamin D:0.35µg
2.32%
Vitamin B12:0.08µg
1.36%
Source:Foodista