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+ servings

Easy, Creamy Pasta with Green Sauce

This Creamy Pasta with Green Sauce is a healthy, fabulous way to change up your pasta night! The simple basil and arugula green sauce is made in about five minutes, then tossed with the pasta of your choice! This is a super quick and easy weeknight meal--it's ready in about 20 minutes!
5 from 13 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 6
Calories 304 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups basil leaves
  • 4 cups arugula leaves I prefer baby arugula
  • 3-4 cloves garlic, halved
  • 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese or Parmigiano Reggiano 
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt plus more as needed
  • 1 lb. pasta 16 oz.

Instructions
 

  • Cook pasta according to package instructions. While pasta is boiling, make your green sauce.
  • Add basil, arugula, garlic, lemon juice and Parmesan cheese to food processor or blender. Blend for about 10 seconds (if you don't have a food processor, a blender or Nutri-bullet works, too).
  • Add olive oil, ricotta cheese and salt and blend about 10 more seconds until olive oil is well incorporated (emulsified) into the sauce. If green sauce seems too thick, add a teaspoon or so of water and blend again for a few seconds. Taste and season with salt (See Note 1).
  • Drain pasta. **Reserve about 1/2 cup of cooking water**
  • Return pasta to hot pot. Add green sauce and toss with tongs. Add splashes of pasta water if sauce seems too thick. Continue tossing until pasta is well coated in the green sauce.
  • Serve with more Parmesan cheese, freshly ground black pepper and a squeeze of lemon, if you like.

Notes

Note 1: Parmesan cheese brands have varying degrees to saltiness, so I don't recommend adding TOO much salt right away. Taste the sauce at the end and season with salt if necessary. 
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Nutrition

Calories: 304kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 13gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 206mgPotassium: 185mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gCalcium: 227mgIron: 2mg
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