Heart Healthy Recipe: Basil Pesto Pasta With Seared Vegetables
Homemade pesto is a great option when it comes to making heart-healthy food choices. Try this pasta recipe for a delicious and healthy meal.
![Pesto sauce in a jar](/-/media/Project/Virtua-Tenant/Virtua/Images/Articles/Stock/basil-pesto-pasta-seared-vegetables.jpg?h=900&iar=0&w=1600&hash=A50856150ED5F80B14E2FFD4342092E3)
Call us romantics, but there's something special about making homemade pesto. The fresh basil beautifully blended with oil, cheese, and nuts to create this symphony of flavors – UGH, we're drooling already.
Admittedly, pesto can be a bit on the decadent side. But with some simple substitutions paired with whole-grain pasta and heart-healthy veggies, this dish is deceptively wholesome without sacrificing an ounce of yum.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh basil
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/4 cup avocado or olive oil plus 2 tbsp. divided
- 3 portobello mushroom caps, stems and guts removed
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 yellow squash, cut into quarters
- 1 zucchini squash, cut into quarters
- 4 ounces whole-wheat pasta (rotini or penne)
Directions:
- In a food processor, combine basil, parmesan, garlic, walnuts, salt, and pepper and pulse until finely chopped. Slowly pour in 1/4 cup of oil and continue processing until your mixture is smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, coat your mushrooms, bell peppers, and squash with the remaining oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Preheat a frying pan over medium-high heat. Grill your veggies until browned and lightly seared, about 6-8 minutes on each side.
- In a large pot of boiling water, cook your pasta according to the directions on the box. Reserve about a 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- Whisk about 1/4 cup of pasta water into your pesto. Feel free to add more to achieve your desired thickness. Toss over your pasta and seared veggies and coat evenly.