If you're looking to increase the veggies in your diet, green pasta sauce is a great place to start! Loaded with spinach and cheese, this fresh green sauce is something you need to try!
What's in green pasta sauce?
You're probably thinking: "Are we talking about pesto?" And yes, you can certainly mix pesto in your pasta for a very simple green sauce.
But this sauce is different. It does contain a small amount of pesto to enhance the flavor. But the primary source of green in the sauce is spinach.
So. Much. Spinach. Loaded with vitamins and minerals, enough spinach to make Popeye crave pasta!
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The ingredients include:
- Spinach
- Ricotta cheese
- Sour cream
- Pesto
- Parmesan cheese
- Diced tomatoes (canned)
- Garlic
- Italian seasoning
How to make this creamy spinach pasta sauce
This sauce is easy and fast, which is the best combination ever! In fact, it comes together so quickly that you probably want to start cooking your pasta before starting the sauce.
Place a large skillet over medium heat and add a little oil. Stir in minced garlic and cook for one minute. Then add in the spinach and cook until it wilts.
Transfer the cooked spinach to a food processor or blender. Add all other ingredients and blend until the sauce is smooth. The sauce is now ready to be used however you prefer.
If using traditional pasta, toss the sauce with the cooked and drained pasta. As with other pasta sauces, I like to reserve some of the pasta cooking water when I drain it. If the sauce seems a little "sticky" once mixed with the pasta, simply add some of the reserved water to help loosen it some.
Serve warm with extra Parmesan cheese as desired.
Why I like this sauce
I feel so healthy when I have this sauce! All that "vitamin green" benefit on yummy pasta. But the taste is actually that of a cheese sauce, with the blend of ricotta and Parmesan with sour cream. Garlic and tomatoes give the right amount of traditional pasta sauce taste. Consider adding some red pepper flakes if you want to spice it up a bit. Or a squeeze of lemon for a fresh taste. If you have some fresh herbs on hand, toss some parsley in that blender. Many possibilities!
This would be so fun to serve to kids. Maybe for St Patrick's Day, have all green food for the day. Or maybe it's Hulk pasta, or Ninja Turtles. If you get them in the right frame of mind to try it, they might just like it. And you will be the parent who got the kids to eat spinach!
If you want more protein in your meal, this sauce works well with chicken. Either make chicken breast separately and spoon a little sauce over it or add some shredded chicken to the sauce before mixing with the pasta. I have also eaten this on spaghetti squash for a really low carb vegetarian meal. Talk about healthy!!
Give it a try!
📖 Recipe
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Green Pasta Sauce
Video
Ingredients
- 10 oz spinach
- 3-4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup pesto
- 14 oz diced tomatoes canned, undrained
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- If using with pasta, cook 16 ounces of pasta according to package directions.
- While pasta is cooking, add olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for a minute. Add the spinach and cook until wilted.
- Transfer cooked spinach to a food processor or blender. Add all the other ingredients and blend for a minute. Scrap down the sides of the work bowl and then blend again until the sauce is smooth.
- Add sauce to cooked and drained pasta and toss to coat.
- Serve warm with additional grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
If you love plant based pasta sauces, check out my easy weeknight pasta and also my vegetarian pasta sauce. Both are easy and so healthy!
Mihaela | https://theworldisanoyster.com/
This is how I make "pesto" too! Especially since I read in an Italian magazine that basil at high temperature is a carcinogen, I never cook it, but I do use spinach and only sprinkle basil at the end, when the pasta is on the plate and has cooled a little. I'm thinking to make this tonight:))
Sula
It's a great way to enjoy a little of that pesto taste without it being the main flavor!
Katrina Crandall
Oh my goodness, this green pasta sauce is heaven! I am always a fan of a good pesto sauce, but this one is made even better with the superpower nutritional content of spinach. I love everything about it!
Sula
I love the super nutritious aspect of this too! I feel so healthy every time I have it!
Emily
This pasta was so amazing and we had no leftovers! Guess I’ll have to make some more!
Sula
When its this easy and so good for you, making more is usually not a problem!
Colette
I love that you sauté the spinach first before putting it in the blender; that makes the sauce tastes so much better. This recipe is the perfect use for spinach that’s been in the fridge for too long so you don’t have to throw it away.
I love this recipe! Thanks for sharing ❤️
Sula
I'm so glad you love it!
Alyssa Hixenbaugh
This sauce sounds fantastic! A great alternative to plain red sauce. 🙂
Sula
Yes, sometimes you just need something different!
Michelle @ Taste As You Go
My kids don't like pesto because they're not huge fans of basil. But they love spinach (go figure), so I think they might actually like this! Can't wait to give it a try.
Sula
Oh this would be a good one to try for sure!
Marina
This recipe is so quick to make and absolutely delicious!
Sula
Yes, and very healthy!!
Chef Dennis
This Green Pasta Sauce looks soo healthy licious!
Sula
It's my new favorite health food!
Raquel
So easy to make and looks delicious!
Sula
Yes to both those qualities!
Big Trouble
From the looks of this, I couldn't really tell how creamy and delicious it really is but those ingredients--oh my goodness! That just sounds like a heartwarming dish. Can't wait to try it (with vegan options)!
Sula
I'm certain you will love it!
Texasgirl
Spinach is my favorite veggie! This looks so yummy, can’t wait to try it
Sula
Spinach is so versatile and incredibly good for you!
Vincit Omina
That looks so healthy!
Sula
It's VERY healthy!