Hearts Of Palm Pasta Recipe

Are you sick of zucchini “zoodles” yet? I don’t know about you, but I find that zucchini noodles just get too soggy for me! The low-carb aspect I love, but lately, I’ve been on the hunt for a better, easier, less soggy alternative.

Introducing hearts of palm pasta! Hearts of Palm are low-carb, low-calorie, full of fiber, and a great source of vitamins A and K.

This superfood pasta is actually really delicious and comes with the added bonus of being precooked, giving you plenty of time to make your 5-minute pesto. 

This pesto pasta is full of bright flavors. The roasted tomatoes add a burst of late summer flavor and the pesto with the parmesan cheese makes it super nutty and rich.

If you’re looking to add a little bit of protein, chicken or shrimp with a squeeze of lemon would be a delicious addition. 

For this recipe, you will need a food processor or blender for the pesto, and a pan to cook the tomatoes. 

What Are Hearts Of Palm? 

Hearts of palm is the vegetable that comes from the inner core of the growing bud of palm trees, hence the name! It has a lemony flavor and closely resembles the taste and texture of artichoke hearts and water chestnuts. 

Each package of pasta serves 1-2 people, so just keep that in mind. You can also boil the pasta for a few minutes if you would like a softer texture.

The great thing about these noodles is that they already come with an al dente texture, so all you need to do is toss them in for the last minute of cooking to warm them up and they’re good to go!

Is This Recipe Keto?

Because of the low carb content, this is considered a keto pasta recipe. As if it couldn’t get any better!

How Long Does Pesto Keep?

Your pesto will keep in a closed and tightly lidded container for up to 1 week. Adding a layer of olive oil on top will keep it from browning. 

Can You Freeze Pesto?

Yes, absolutely! This is my preferred way of storing pesto, as it will keep for 3-6 months in the freezer.

I freeze the pesto in an ice cube tray (here are a few of my favorite trays for storing pesto), making little pesto cubes, perfect for when you need just a little bit at a time. This is a great way to use up that basil you grew over the summer! 

Can I Just Use Store Bought Pesto?

If you don’t have a food processor, or you just simply don’t have the time or motivation to make your own pesto, you can definitely use a jar of pesto from the store. No shame in that!

What If I Don’t Have Or Like Almonds?

I went with almonds because that’s what I had on hand, but feel free to mix it up with whatever nut or seed you have! Pine nuts or pumpkin seeds would be really good in this pesto as well. 

What If I Don’t Have Cherry Tomatoes?

While cherry tomatoes do have the best flavor for this dish, in my opinion, Roma tomatoes chopped into cubes will also work. 

How To Make Hearts Of Palm Pasta

Step 1

Assemble your ingredients.

In a food processor or blender, add the basil and spinach, parmesan cheese, garlic cloves, almonds, and salt. Pulse the ingredients a few times. 

Step 2

While your food processor or blender is running on a low setting or speed, slowly add in the olive oil until your pesto is a smooth consistency. You may need to scrape down the sides a few times. 

Add some olive oil to a pan and place it on medium-high heat. Add your cherry tomatoes and cook until they start to burst, about 5 minutes. 

Step 3

Turn off the heat, add the noodles, and ¼ cup of your freshly made pesto. Turn off the heat, add the noodles, and ¼ cup of your freshly made pesto.

Step 4

Transfer into a bowl and top with cooked chicken breast and more parmesan cheese if desired. 

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