Tallarines Verdes

Indulge in the vibrant flavors of Peruvian cuisine with Tallarines Verdes, a luscious dish of spaghetti coated in a creamy, herbaceous green sauce. This recipe combines fresh spinach and fragrant basil with creamy queso fresco, rich evaporated milk, and the nutty depth of walnuts to create a silky, pesto-like sauce that clings beautifully to al dente pasta. Sautéed garlic infuses every bite with aromatic warmth, while a touch of olive oil enhances the sauce's velvety texture. Ready in just 40 minutes, this quick and wholesome meal is perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy dinner indulgence. Garnish with extra cheese or crushed walnuts for a restaurant-quality finish. Explore this Peruvian classic and elevate your pasta night!

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 g spaghetti
• 150 g fresh spinach leaves
• 75 g fresh basil leaves
• 200 g queso fresco
• 240 ml evaporated milk
• 50 g walnuts
• 2 units garlic cloves
• 60 ml olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp ground black pepper

Directions

Step 1

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.

Step 2

2. In a large saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic cloves and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Be careful not to burn the garlic.

Step 3

3. Add the spinach and basil to the saucepan and sauté until the leaves have wilted down, about 5 minutes.

Step 4

4. Transfer the wilted spinach and basil to a blender. Add the queso fresco, walnuts, evaporated milk, the remaining olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Step 5

5. Blend the mixture on high until smooth, adding a little reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency if needed. The sauce should be thick but pourable.

Step 6

6. Return the blended sauce to the saucepan and warm it over low heat, stirring occasionally, for about 3 minutes.

Step 7

7. Add the cooked spaghetti to the saucepan and toss to coat the noodles evenly with the sauce.

Step 8

8. Serve the tallarines verdes hot, garnished with extra cheese or walnuts if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1200.6 grams (1200.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2318

Total Fat 137.60g	176%
Saturated Fat 45.30g	226%
Polyunsaturated Fat 29.00g
Cholesterol 46mg	15%
Sodium 3852mg	167%
Total Carbohydrate 177.80g	65%
Dietary Fiber 17.50g	63%
Total Sugars 34.70g
Protein 100.80g	202%

Vitamin D 205IU	1023%
Calcium 1862mg	143%
Iron 17mg	92%
Potassium 2423mg	52%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 52.6%

Protein: 17.1%

Carbs: 30.2%