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Whole-Wheat Spaghetti with Lighter Pesto

WHY IT’S LIGHT With less oil, fewer nuts, and more basil, this better-for-you pesto cuts calories without sacrificing any of the fabulous flavor. Serve the sauce over whole-wheat pasta for more fiber. Extra pesto freezes nicely, so consider doubling the batch.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 4

Ingredients

Coarse salt and ground pepper
8 ounces whole-wheat spaghetti
Lighter Pesto (recipe follows)
Fresh basil leaves, cut into chiffonade, for garnish (optional)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook spaghetti until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water; drain pasta and return to pot.

    Step 2

    Toss pasta with pesto, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to create a thin sauce that coats spaghetti (you may not need all the water). Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately, garnished with basil, if desired.

  2. Nutrition Information

    Step 3

    (Per Serving)

    Step 4

    Calories: 351

    Step 5

    Fat: 16g (2.6g Saturated Fat)

    Step 6

    Protein: 11g

    Step 7

    Carbohydrates: 44.9g

    Step 8

    Fiber: 8.2g

Everyday Food: Light
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