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Home » Recipes » Pasta

Modified: Oct 5, 2022 | Categories: Main Course

Olive Pesto Pasta

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This olive pesto pasta is to-die-for.

It's a mix of al dente tagliatelle, super easy homemade olive pesto that's loaded with flavor, fresh mozzarella and bright green herbs.

It's uber tasty, so easy to make and cozy.

Overhead shot of finished Olive Pesto Pasta in a white bowl.
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How to make olive pesto pasta

Featured Ingredients

  • Tagliatelle: Long, flat ribboned pasta that is super cozy.
  • Olives: Any kind of pitted olive will work - I grab a mix of Mediterranean olives.
  • Parsley: Fresh, flat-leaf or curly parsley will work.
  • Nuts: Walnuts or pine nuts are my favorite.
  • Oregano: Dried oregano leaves are one of my favorite flavorings agents.
    • Go ahead and add some to your olive pesto - you won't regret it.
  • Cracked black pepper: And lots of it.
  • Garlic: A few cloves or add more if you want.
  • Olive oil: A good quality olive oil will go a long ways in this dish.
  • Mozzarella: Fresh mozzarella balls are the icing on top of the cake.
Uncooked Tagliatelle pasta on white marble.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. Cook tagliatelle according to package directions. Drain.
  3. Place olives, parsley, nuts, oregano, black pepper, garlic and olive oil in the bowl of a food processor.
  4. Pulse until desired consistency is reached, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed.
  5. Toss olive pesto with hot pasta, adding olive oil as desired.
  6. Serve in bowls with mini mozzarella balls and freshly cracked black pepper.
Close-up of Tagliatelle pasta prior to cooking.

Recipe Substitutions and Alterations

  • Instead of tagliatelle: Use any shape or strand of pasta you enjoy.
  • For the olives: Any mix of briny olives like kalamata, Greek or green olives are delicious here.
  • For the nuts: Use whatever variety you have.

Nutrition Considerations

  • To make it gluten free: Use gluten free pasta. Be sure all other ingredients are gluten free.
  • To make it dairy free: Skip the mozzarella balls.
  • To make it vegan: Skip the mozzarella balls.
  • To make it nut free: Skip the nuts in the pesto or use seeds (like sunflower seeds or pepitas) instead.
  • To make it egg free: Use a pasta that does not contain eggs.
Finished Olive Pesto Pasta dish in a white bowl.
PIN THIS RECIPE FOR LATER!

Pasta recipes to curl up with:

  • Brussels Sprouts Sausage Pasta
  • Lemon Asparagus Pasta
  • Chicken Parmesan Pasta Bake
  • Cajun Sausage Pasta with Peppers
  • Butternut Squash Carbonara
  • Cheesy Taco Pasta
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Olive Pesto Pasta

Print Recipe

Wide pasta cooked al dente and tossed in homemade olive pesto and fresh mozzarella makes a delicious vegetarian-friendly dish!

  • Author: Julie Andrews
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 8
  • Category: Dinner, Pasta
  • Method: Stove-Top
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1-pound tagliatelle
  • 1 cup pitted Mediterranean olives
  • 1 cup flat-leaf Italian parsley
  • ¼ cup pine nuts or walnuts
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper + more for serving
  • 1-2 cloves garlic, peeled
  • ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons olive oil + more for serving
  • 8-ounces fresh mini mozzarella balls

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook tagliatelle according to package directions. Drain.
  2. Place olives, parsley, nuts, oregano, black pepper, garlic and olive oil in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until desired consistency is reached, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed.
  3. Toss olive pesto with hot pasta, adding olive oil as desired.
  4. Serve in bowls with mini mozzarella balls and freshly cracked black pepper.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: ⅛ of recipe
  • Calories: 270
  • Sugar: 0 g
  • Sodium: 98 mg
  • Fat: 19 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 16 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 9 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

Keywords: easy, healthy, tasty, vegetarian, weeknight, quick, family friendly

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hi, i’m julie!

chef, registered dietitian & mom
passionate about simple, healthy cooking

*formerly the gourmet RD*

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