Low FODMAP Pesto Pasta
Pesto pasta is one of those dishes that feels indulgent and effortless at the same time — vibrant green sauce, perfectly coated noodles, and a fresh herby aroma that fills the kitchen the moment you open the food processor. The tricky part for anyone managing a sensitive gut is that traditional pesto recipes often sneak in regular garlic, and most store-bought versions are completely off the table. This one solves that problem cleanly by using garlic-infused olive oil, which delivers all that savory depth without the fructans that cause trouble. Gluten-free corn or rice pasta keeps the base compliant, and the starchy pasta water trick at the end makes the sauce silky and clingy rather than greasy or clumped. Two cups of fresh basil blended with pine nuts, Parmesan, and a squeeze of lemon juice creates a pesto that tastes bright and restaurant-worthy — not like a compromise. It comes together in the time it takes to boil a pot of water, and the recipe serves four, so it's just as practical for a weeknight family dinner as it is for meal-prepping lunches.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the pasta
- 12 oz gluten free pasta (spaghetti or penne)
- 1 tsp salt
For the pesto
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
- ¼ cup pine nuts
- ½ cup finely grated parmesan cheese
- ⅓ cup garlic-infused olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For finishing
- ¼ cup reserved pasta cooking water
For serving
- extra parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
- fresh basil leaves, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the gluten free pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente — tender with a slight resistance at the center. Before draining, scoop out 1/4 cup of the starchy cooking water and set it aside. Drain the pasta in a colander.
- 2
While the pasta cooks, combine the basil, pine nuts, Parmesan, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper in a food processor. Pulse 8–10 times until the mixture is coarsely chopped and uniform.
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