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To make cilantro pesto pasta, you blend fresh cilantro with garlic, nuts, parmesan, and olive oil, then toss that vibrant green sauce with hot pasta for a quick and flavorful meal.
It’s one of those dishes that feels fancy but comes together in about fifteen minutes flat.
If you’ve been wondering how to make cilantro pesto pasta that tastes fresh and bright instead of heavy, you’re in the right place.
This isn’t your traditional basil pesto, and that’s exactly what makes it so exciting.
Cilantro brings a citrusy, slightly peppery kick that pairs beautifully with pasta, and once you learn how to make cilantro pesto pasta at home, you might never go back to the jarred stuff.
In this post, we’ll walk through how to make cilantro pesto pasta step by step, plus a few variations and tips so your sauce turns out perfect every single time.
Let’s dive in.
How to Make Cilantro Pesto Pasta (The Simple Answer)
Learning how to make cilantro pesto pasta really comes down to two things: a good cilantro pesto and perfectly cooked pasta.
Here’s why this method works so well.
1. Fresh Cilantro Is the Star
When you make cilantro pesto pasta, the cilantro is the whole point, so use the freshest bunch you can find.
Look for bright green leaves with no wilting or yellow spots.
You’ll want about two packed cups of leaves and tender stems, which is roughly one large bunch.
The stems are actually full of flavor, so don’t toss them all.
2. The Pesto Comes Together in a Blender or Food Processor
To make the cilantro pesto itself, you combine cilantro, garlic, toasted nuts, parmesan, lime juice, and olive oil.
Pulse everything until it forms a loose, vibrant green paste.
If you’re making cilantro pesto pasta without nuts due to allergies, sunflower seeds or pepitas work great as a swap.
3. Toss the Sauce with Hot Pasta
The trick to how to make cilantro pesto pasta that coats every strand is tossing the sauce with pasta that’s still hot.
Add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen things up.
The heat gently warms the pesto without cooking it, which keeps that fresh cilantro flavor alive.
Ingredients for Cilantro Pesto Pasta
Here’s what you’ll need to make cilantro pesto pasta that serves about four people.
1. For the Cilantro Pesto
Two packed cups of fresh cilantro, three cloves of garlic, half a cup of toasted pine nuts or walnuts, half a cup of grated parmesan, the juice of one lime, and about two-thirds of a cup of good olive oil.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
2. For the Pasta
Twelve ounces of your favorite pasta works perfectly here.
Spaghetti, linguine, penne, or fusilli all hold the sauce nicely.
Save at least a cup of pasta water before draining.
3. Optional Add-Ins
Cherry tomatoes, corn, grilled chicken, or shrimp turn this into a heartier meal.
A squeeze of extra lime and a sprinkle of cotija or feta on top takes it over the edge.
Tips for the Best Cilantro Pesto Pasta
A few small moves make a big difference when you make cilantro pesto pasta.
1. Toast Your Nuts
Toasting the nuts for a few minutes in a dry pan deepens their flavor and makes your cilantro pesto pasta taste richer.
Let them cool before blending so they don’t turn gummy.
2. Don’t Over-Blend
Pulse the pesto instead of running the blender on high.
Over-blending makes the cilantro bitter and turns the sauce into a paste instead of a loose, spoonable pesto.
3. Balance the Flavors
Taste your cilantro pesto before tossing it with pasta.
Need more acid, add lime.
Need more salt, add parmesan.
Want it creamier, blend in a spoonful of Greek yogurt or avocado.
4. Serve It Fresh
Cilantro pesto pasta is best enjoyed right away while the sauce is fragrant and bright.
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container for up to two days and refresh with a squeeze of lime before eating.
So, How Do You Make Cilantro Pesto Pasta?
You make cilantro pesto pasta by blending fresh cilantro with garlic, nuts, parmesan, lime, and olive oil, then tossing that sauce with hot pasta and a splash of pasta water.
It’s fast, fresh, and endlessly adaptable, whether you keep it classic or load it up with veggies and protein.
Now that you know how to make cilantro pesto pasta, grab a bunch of cilantro and give it a try this week.
Once you taste how vibrant and easy it is, this cilantro pesto pasta will earn a permanent spot in your dinner rotation.