Tallarines Verdes (Peruvian Spaghetti with Basil and Spinach Sauce)
In short: Spaghetti tossed in a bright green sauce of basil, spinach, fresh cheese and evaporated milk, usually served with a pan-fried steak. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 620 kcal
Tallarines verdes is a Peruvian home favorite, a plate of spaghetti coated in a creamy green sauce of basil, spinach, fresh cheese and evaporated milk. It is a bit like pesto but milder and creamier. Many families serve it with a thin pan-fried steak or breaded chicken and sliced fried potatoes. It is quick to make and the color is bright and cheerful.
Instructions
- Boil the spaghetti in plenty of salted water until al dente, following the package time, about 10 minutes. Reserve 120 ml (1/2 cup) of the cooking water, then drain.
- While the pasta cooks, blanch the spinach and basil in a separate pot of boiling water for 20 seconds. Drain and cool under cold water, then squeeze out the excess water.
- Blend the spinach, basil, queso fresco, evaporated milk, garlic and walnuts until completely smooth, adding a spoonful of the pasta water if needed.
- Heat the oil in a large pan and cook the onion for 5 minutes, until soft. Pour in the green sauce and warm it gently for 3 minutes, without boiling, so the color stays bright.
- Add the spaghetti and toss, loosening with pasta water as needed. Season with salt and pepper, sprinkle with the Parmesan and serve at once.
Tips
- For the classic plate, serve with a thin beef steak or chicken cutlet pan-fried for 2 to 3 minutes per side, to 63°C (145°F) for steak or 74°C (165°F) for chicken.
- Blanching the greens keeps the color bright and removes any raw bitterness. Do not boil the sauce, which turns it olive green.
Questions and answers
Is tallarines verdes the same as pesto?
It is a similar idea, but it uses spinach, evaporated milk and fresh cheese in place of pine nuts and olive oil. The result is creamier and milder.
Can I make the sauce ahead?
Yes. Blend it up to 2 days ahead and keep it covered in the fridge. Warm it gently before tossing with hot pasta.
What do you serve with tallarines verdes?
Pan-fried steak, breaded chicken or a fried egg are common. Sliced fried potatoes make it a heartier meal.
How long does it take to make Tallarines Verdes (Peruvian Spaghetti with Basil and Spinach Sauce)?
About 35 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Tallarines Verdes (Peruvian Spaghetti with Basil and Spinach Sauce)?
About 620 kcal per serving, with 25 g of protein, 75 g of carbohydrates and 24 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 620 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 25 g |
| Carbohydrates | 75 g |
| Fat | 24 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 7 g |
| Sodium | 800 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
