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Cilantro pesto pasta is one of those dishes that feels fancy but comes together in about fifteen minutes.
If you’ve been wondering how to make cilantro pesto pasta, you’re in the right place.
This bright, herby twist on classic basil pesto is packed with fresh flavor and it’s incredibly forgiving.
You can make cilantro pesto pasta with just a handful of ingredients, most of which you probably already have.
The star is fresh cilantro, but the supporting cast of nuts, garlic, lime, and Parmesan is what makes this cilantro pesto pasta sing.
In this post, we’ll walk through how to make cilantro pesto pasta step by step, plus a few variations and tips.
Let’s get cooking.
How to Make Cilantro Pesto Pasta (The Simple Answer)
Cilantro pesto pasta is made by blending fresh cilantro with nuts, garlic, lime juice, olive oil, and Parmesan into a vibrant sauce, then tossing it with hot cooked pasta.
That’s the short version.
But knowing how to make cilantro pesto pasta really well comes down to a few key details, so let’s break it down.
1. Gather Your Cilantro Pesto Ingredients
To make cilantro pesto pasta, you’ll need two big handfuls of fresh cilantro, stems and all.
The stems actually carry a ton of flavor, so don’t toss them.
You’ll also need about half a cup of nuts (pine nuts, walnuts, or almonds all work great).
Add two cloves of garlic, a squeeze of fresh lime juice, half a cup of grated Parmesan, and about half a cup of olive oil.
Salt and pepper to taste, and that’s your cilantro pesto.
For the pasta, twelve ounces of any shape you love will do, though long noodles like linguine or short ones like penne both work beautifully.
2. Blend the Cilantro Pesto
Making the cilantro pesto for your cilantro pesto pasta is as easy as pressing a button.
Add cilantro, nuts, garlic, lime juice, and Parmesan to a food processor.
Pulse until everything is finely chopped.
Then, with the processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture becomes a loose, bright green sauce.
Taste it and add salt and pepper.
If you want your cilantro pesto pasta extra zingy, add a little lime zest too.
No food processor?
No problem.
You can chop everything by hand and whisk in the oil, though the texture will be a bit chunkier.
3. Cook the Pasta and Combine
Cook your pasta in well-salted boiling water until it’s just al dente.
Before draining, scoop out about half a cup of the starchy pasta water.
This water is liquid gold for cilantro pesto pasta because it helps the sauce cling to every noodle.
Drain the pasta, then return it to the pot off the heat.
Add the cilantro pesto and a splash of that pasta water, then toss until every strand is coated.
The heat from the pasta gently warms the sauce without cooking the fresh cilantro flavor away.
Serve your cilantro pesto pasta right away with extra Parmesan on top.
Tips for the Best Cilantro Pesto Pasta
A few small moves make a big difference when you make cilantro pesto pasta at home.
1. Toast Your Nuts First
Toasting the nuts for your cilantro pesto pasta for a few minutes in a dry pan deepens their flavor and adds a warm, nutty backbone.
Just let them cool before blending.
2. Don’t Skip the Lime
Cilantro and lime are best friends, and that citrus keeps your cilantro pesto pasta tasting fresh instead of flat.
If you don’t have lime, lemon works in a pinch.
3. Use Good Olive Oil
Since the oil is a main ingredient in cilantro pesto pasta, reach for one you actually enjoy the taste of.
A quality extra-virgin olive oil makes the whole dish taste cleaner and richer.
4. Serve It Warm, Not Hot
Tossing cilantro pesto pasta off the heat keeps the sauce vivid green and prevents the garlic from turning sharp.
Heat dulls fresh herbs fast, so timing matters.
Easy Variations on Cilantro Pesto Pasta
One of the best things about learning how to make cilantro pesto pasta is how flexible it is.
1. Add a Protein
Grilled shrimp, shredded chicken, or roasted chickpeas turn cilantro pesto pasta into a heartier meal.
Shrimp is especially delicious with the lime and cilantro combo.
2. Swap the Nuts
Pepitas (pumpkin seeds) or sunflower seeds make a great nut-free version of cilantro pesto pasta.
They still give you that creamy texture without the nuts.
3. Make It Spicy
A pinch of red pepper flakes or half a jalapeño blended into the sauce gives your cilantro pesto pasta a gentle kick.
It pairs beautifully with the bright, herby flavors.
4. Go Vegan
Skip the Parmesan or use a dairy-free alternative, and your cilantro pesto pasta becomes a fully plant-based dinner.
Nutritional yeast adds that cheesy note without any dairy.
So, How Do You Make Cilantro Pesto Pasta?
You make cilantro pesto pasta by blending fresh cilantro, nuts, garlic, lime, Parmesan, and olive oil into a bright sauce, then tossing it with hot pasta and a splash of pasta water.
It’s fast, flexible, and full of flavor, which is exactly why cilantro pesto pasta deserves a spot in your regular rotation.
Toast your nuts, don’t skip the lime, and serve it warm for the best results.
Once you know how to make cilantro pesto pasta, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with the jarred stuff.
Now go grab that bunch of cilantro and get blending.