1. Home
  2. Vegan Recipe
  3. Vegan Pesto Pasta

Vegan Pesto Pasta

2023-07-05

By Foodie Pal

Italian Cuisine

Main Course

Best ways to cook Vegan Pesto Pasta

Quick tips to speed up your cooking process without sacrificing flavor

  • Skip the time-consuming chopping and blending by buying a store-bought vegan pesto.
  • Make a double batch of pesto and store it in the fridge or freezer for future use.
  • Use the Instant Pot to cook both pasta and pesto simultaneously, reducing overall cook time.

Essential gadgets to help you prepare vegan pesto pasta faster and easier

  • Cook the pasta and make pesto all in one pot, saving you both time and dishes.
  • Quickly roast garlic, pine nuts, or vegetables for your pesto using an air fryer, cutting down prep time.
  • Fast, efficient cooking that heats up in seconds and saves you energy while boiling pasta or sautéing ingredients.

Simple tricks to make this dish perfect every time, even on busy days

  • If you’re in a hurry, frozen spinach works just as well as fresh and can be thrown directly into the blender for the pesto.
  • Add a squeeze of lemon to your pesto for extra brightness and balance the richness of the nuts.
  • Use the air fryer to quickly roast veggies like cherry tomatoes or zucchini to add flavor and texture without spending extra time.

Tips and Suggestions on Vegan Pesto Pasta

Choosing the Best Flour for Vegan Pancakes

When making vegan pancakes, choosing the right flour is key to achieving the desired texture. Common options include all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, or gluten-free flour blends. Each type of flour impacts the pancake's fluffiness and texture.

Perfecting the Vegan Pancake Batter

Achieving the perfect pancake batter consistency is essential for light and fluffy pancakes. A combination of plant-based milk (almond, soy, oat) and a leavening agent like baking powder is key to achieving fluffiness.

Substituting Eggs in Vegan Pancakes

Eggs are typically used for binding, but in vegan pancakes, they can be replaced with ingredients like mashed bananas, applesauce, or ground flax seeds. Each option provides structure and moisture, helping your pancakes hold together.

Vegan Pancake Toppings to Elevate Flavor

Top your vegan pancakes with a variety of delicious options such as maple syrup, fresh berries, dairy-free whipped cream, or nut butter. For an extra touch, sprinkle cinnamon or chocolate chips.

How to Cook Vegan Pancakes to Perfection

Cooking vegan pancakes is all about patience. Heat your pan to medium-low, and avoid cooking them on high heat. Cook each pancake until bubbles appear on the surface, then flip for a golden-brown finish.

Customizing Your Vegan Pancakes

Vegan pancakes are versatile! Add flavorings like vanilla extract, cinnamon, or nutmeg to the batter. You can also mix in extras like chocolate chips, shredded coconut, or nuts for texture and taste.

Classic Vegan Pesto Pasta Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 lb of your preferred pasta (gluten-free options are available)
  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves
  • 1/2 cup nutritional yeast flakes
  • 1/2 cup raw pine nuts
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 1/2 cup of tofu or vegan protein of your choice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, and set it aside.
  2. For the basil pesto sauce, place the basil leaves, nutritional yeast, pine nuts, garlic, sea salt, and black pepper in a food processor such like a blender.
  3. Slowly add the extra-virgin olive oil while the food processor is on until everything is blended into a smooth paste.
  4. If you want to add protein to your dish, pan fry tofu or vegan protein of your choice until golden brown.
  5. Pour the basil pesto sauce over the cooked pasta and mix well.
  6. Add your desired amount of tofu or vegan protein.
  7. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and serve hot.

Cooking Time

Preparation Time 5 min

Cook Time 20 min

Total time 25 min

Nutrition Facts

  • Calories: 435
  • Fat: 24g
  • Saturated fat: 3g
  • Trans fat: 0g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg
  • Sodium: 303mg
  • Potassium: 226mg
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Protein: 12g

Variations for Vegan Pesto Pasta

Zucchini Pesto Pasta

Dive into this vegan zucchini pesto pasta, featuring a creamy dairy-free pesto made with blended cashews and fresh basil, tossed with tender zucchini noodles.

Vegan Zucchini Pesto Pasta, Creamy dairy-free pesto

Almond Picada Pesto Pasta

Enjoy the unique flavors of almond picada pesto spaghetti, where toasted almonds and herbs create a rich, nutty sauce that brings a delightful twist to classic pasta.

Almond Picada Pesto Spaghetti

Thai Basil Pesto Pasta

Savor this vegan pesto pasta made with fragrant Thai basil, offering a zesty and aromatic take on traditional pesto that pairs beautifully with your favorite pasta.

Vegan Pesto Pasta (with Thai basil)

Vegemite Parsley Pasta

Indulge in vegemite pasta with parsley pangrattato, combining the umami flavors of vegemite and crispy crumbs for a quick, delicious, and uniquely Australian dish.

Vegemite Pasta with Parsley Pangrattato

High-Protein Pesto Pasta

Delight in this high-protein vegan "marry me" pasta, packed with lentils and sundried tomatoes for a filling, meal-prep friendly dish that will woo your taste buds.

High-Protein Vegan, Marry Me Pasta (Meal-Prep)

Onion Pesto Pasta

Experience vegan French onion pasta, where caramelized onions create a rich and savory sauce, tossed with pasta and topped with a sprinkle of plant-based cheese for indulgence.

Vegan French Onion Pasta

Greek Pesto Pasta

Enjoy a vibrant Greek pasta dish, featuring olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh herbs, tossed together for a refreshing and flavorful Mediterranean-inspired meal.

Greek Pasta

Vegan Pesto Pasta Recipe Review

Go to Top