Delicious and Healthy Vegan Pesto Pasta Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 cups of fresh basil leaves
  • 1/2 cup of pine nuts
  • 3 cloves of garlic
  • 1/2 cup of nutritional yeast
  • 1/2 cup of olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
  • 450 grams of your choice of pasta (gluten-free if desired)
  • 1 cup of cherry tomatoes (optional garnish)
  • Handful of fresh basil leaves (optional garnish)

Steps and instructions

  1. First, gather all your ingredients.
  2. Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Add a pinch of salt to the water.
  3. Add your pasta of choice to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside.
  4. While the pasta is cooking, you can start making the pesto. Add the fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, nutritional yeast, sea salt, and black pepper to a food processor or blender.
  5. Process the ingredients until they are coarsely ground. Then, while the food processor or blender is still running, slowly add the olive oil until the pesto reaches your desired consistency.
  6. Taste and adjust the seasoning of the pesto if necessary.
  7. Once the pesto is ready, add it to the cooked pasta and mix well until the pasta is well coated.
  8. Serve the pasta warm, garnished with cherry tomatoes and fresh basil leaves if desired.

Tools for making

  • Food processor or blender - needed to make the pesto sauce by blending the ingredients into a smooth consistency.
  • Large pot - used to boil the water and cook the pasta.
  • Colander - used to drain the cooked pasta.
  • Cooking utensils - such as a spatula or wooden spoon, for mixing the pesto sauce and pasta.
  • Knife - for mincing the garlic and chopping the fresh basil leaves.
  • Cutting board - used for chopping ingredients.
  • Measuring cups - for accurately measuring the olive oil, pine nuts, and nutritional yeast.
  • Measuring spoons - for measuring the sea salt and black pepper.

Recipe variations

  • Use a different type of pasta, such as whole wheat, gluten-free, or chickpea pasta.
  • Add your favorite vegetables to the pasta, such as roasted bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, or steamed broccoli.
  • Add a protein source, such as sautéed tofu cubes, grilled tempeh, or cooked chickpeas.
  • Try different herbs in the pesto, like cilantro, parsley, or mint, for a unique flavor.
  • Replace pine nuts with other nuts, such as walnuts, almonds, or cashews.
  • For a cheesy flavor, add a sprinkle of vegan parmesan or nutritional yeast on top of the finished dish.
  • Add a splash of lemon juice for a citrusy twist to the pesto.
  • If you prefer a creamier texture, blend in some avocado or silken tofu into the pesto sauce.
  • For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper to the pesto.
  • Experiment with different oils, like avocado oil or sunflower oil, instead of olive oil.

Recipe overview

Get ready to delight your taste buds with a delicious and healthy Vegan Pesto Pasta recipe. This easy-to-make dish is packed with vibrant fresh basil, flavorful garlic, and rich, toasty pine nuts. It's all brought together with the cheesy tang of nutritional yeast and the silky texture of olive oil. Plus, it's completely vegan and can be made gluten-free depending on your choice of pasta. You'll love the simplicity and the robust flavors of this dish. In less than 30 minutes, you can enjoy a restaurant-quality pasta dish right at your own dining table. Don't forget to garnish with cherry tomatoes and extra basil leaves for added freshness and color! Whether you're a seasoned vegan or just exploring plant-based options, this Vegan Pesto Pasta is sure to become one of your favorite go-to meals.

Common questions

  1. Can I use a different type of herb instead of basil? Absolutely! While basil is traditional in pesto, you can experiment with other herbs like cilantro, parsley, or even a combination of herbs to suit your taste.
  2. Can I substitute pine nuts with a different nut? Yes, you can substitute pine nuts with walnuts, almonds, cashews, or even sunflower seeds if you have allergies or preferences. Just keep in mind that the flavor and texture of the pesto may vary slightly.
  3. Is there a substitute for nutritional yeast? If you can't find nutritional yeast or prefer not to use it, you can omit it from the recipe. However, nutritional yeast adds a cheesy and slightly nutty flavor to the pesto, so you may want to increase the amount of salt slightly to compensate.
  4. Can I make the pesto in advance? Yes, you can make the pesto in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just give it a good stir before using it in the recipe.
  5. Can I freeze the pesto? Absolutely! Pesto freezes well. Transfer the pesto to an airtight container or ice cube trays, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before using.
  6. Can I use gluten-free pasta? Yes, you can use gluten-free pasta for this recipe. Just make sure to follow the cooking instructions on the package as gluten-free pasta may require different cooking times.
  7. Can I customize the recipe with additional vegetables or toppings? Absolutely! This recipe serves as a base, and you can add your favorite vegetables like sautéed mushrooms, roasted bell peppers, or steamed broccoli to the pasta. Feel free to get creative and customize it to your liking!

Serving dishes and utensils

Origin stories

Pesto Pasta is a dish that traces its roots back to the beautiful region of Liguria in Northern Italy. The word "pesto" itself comes from the Italian verb "pestare" which means to pound or crush, a reference to the original method of preparing pesto sauce with a mortar and pestle. Interestingly, the traditional way of making pesto includes garlic, pine nuts, coarse salt, basil leaves, Parmigiano-Reggiano (Parmesan cheese), and pecorino sardo, all blended with olive oil. However, in our vegan version of this classic dish, we replace the Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast to achieve a similar cheesy flavor without any animal products. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity, letting the quality of the ingredients shine. Just like the people of Liguria, who have maintained their age-old traditions and recipes, this dish is simple and made with love. It's a testament to the fact that good food doesn't need to be complicated, just authentic.

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.