Easy Green Pesto Pasta with Wild Garlic: a quick, healthy vegetarian (or vegan) dinner bursting with spring flavors — ready in about 10 minutes with just a few ingredients.
This simple green pesto pasta has been my go-to while my kitchen is under renovation. It’s one of the fastest dinners you can make: boil the pasta, toss with pesto and a little olive oil, add cheese if you like, season, garnish and serve — all in minutes. If you use fresh pasta, cooking time can be as short as 7 minutes.
The method is straightforward: cook your pasta according to the package instructions, drain, then stir in wild garlic pesto and olive oil. Finish with grated Parmesan or another hard cheese, a sprinkle of salt and freshly ground black pepper, and a handful of chopped wild garlic or basil for garnish. If you prefer vegan, skip the cheese and add a handful of ground nuts or nutritional yeast for texture and flavor.
This approach works with any pesto you have on hand — wild garlic, kale-cashew, basil, or store-bought varieties. It’s flavorful, satisfying and perfect for busy weeknights, for a temporary kitchen setup, or whenever you need a no-fuss meal.
I’ve been juggling renovations, blogging and a recent birthday weekend, so quick meals like this have been lifesavers. Spring has finally arrived here, and I’ve spent more time outdoors — grilling, biking, fishing and enjoying ice cream — which made for a lovely birthday break. Once the kitchen is finished I’m excited to create and share more recipes, and I’ll post before-and-after photos of the new space.
I also started a weekly newsletter for email subscribers with a free e-book for signing up. If you enjoy these recipes, the newsletter is an easy way to get new ideas delivered to your inbox every Wednesday.
For a healthier option, use whole grain pasta. I used spinach-infused whole grain tagliatelle, which cooks quickly and adds a pretty color, but any pasta shape — penne, fusilli, spaghetti, or rotini — will work. Wild garlic pesto is especially nice in spring, but feel free to substitute the pesto you like best. Below is the full recipe so you can enjoy this green, simple pasta at home.
Easy Green Pesto Pasta
Ingredients
- 250 grams whole grain pasta (about 9 oz) — tagliatelle, spaghetti, penne, fusilli or rotini
- 3 tablespoons wild garlic pesto
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 30 grams grated Parmesan or another hard cheese (omit for vegan)
- freshly ground black pepper
- salt
- chopped wild garlic or basil, for garnish
Instructions
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Boil the pasta according to package instructions. Drain well. Toss the cooked pasta with wild garlic pesto and olive oil until coated. Divide between plates, sprinkle with grated Parmesan if using, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and garnish with chopped wild garlic or basil. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
What’s your favorite pasta shape? Share in the comments below.
Cheers,
Elena
