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Homemade Easy Vegan Pesto Pasta photo

Easy Vegan Pesto Pasta

This Easy Vegan Pesto Pasta is a quick and vibrant dish, packed with flavor and fresh ingredients!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pesto:
  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves
  • 1.5 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
  • 1/3 cup sunflower seeds (raw, unsalted or toasted/roasted)
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
For the Pasta:
  • 4 oz pasta (your choice: spaghetti, penne, or gluten-free)
  • 4 tbsp pesto (for serving)
  • 1/4 cup reserved cooking water

Equipment

  • Food processor
  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Serving bowl

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your chosen pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Remember to reserve about 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, you can make the pesto. In a food processor, combine the fresh basil leaves, garlic, nutritional yeast, and sunflower seeds. Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped.
  3. With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Continue blending until the pesto reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thick, add a bit of reserved pasta water to thin it out. Season with salt to taste.
  4. Once the pasta is drained, return it to the pot. Add the pesto and reserved cooking water to the pasta. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the vibrant green sauce.
  5. Spoon the Easy Vegan Pesto Pasta into serving bowls. For an extra touch, drizzle a bit more olive oil on top and sprinkle with additional sunflower seeds or nutritional yeast, if desired. Enjoy your delightful meal!

Notes

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat by adding a splash of water or olive oil to the pasta.
  • The pesto can be frozen in ice cube trays for longer storage.