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This vegan pesto pasta recipe is flavorful, satisfying, quick, and also easy to make! In addition, it's plant based, gluten free, oil free, dairy free and made with vegan cashew pesto!
This vegan pasta comes together quickly so it's perfect for lunches or weeknight dinners. You can also make the pesto ahead of time and then add it to pasta for a quick meal.
You can also really customize this dish by adding some vegetables like asparagus. If you love easy pasta dishes, you can also try my vegan lemon pasta, one pot pasta, vegan mac and cheese, no boil pasta bake, vegan baked ziti or mushroom pasta!
Before we jump into the recipe, let's talk about how you can customize it and learn some tips.
How to Make Vegan Pesto Pasta
Ingredients
Pasta
I use my favorite gluten-free pasta for this recipe but you can use any kind of pasta such as elbow, rotini, or spaghetti. You can also use regular pasta if you don't prefer to use gluten free.
Vegan Cashew Pesto
This vegan cashew pesto recipe is so quick and easy to make. It has raw cashews, fresh basil, spinach, nutritional yeast, garlic, lemon juice, and mustard for a delicious flavor combination.
Red Pepper Flakes and Basil leaves
You can add more or less nutritional yeast so play around with it. If you don't care for the cheesy flavor, you can also omit it.
Vegan Parmesan Cheese (optional)
You can either use store-bought vegan parmesan cheese or you can make my homemade vegan parmesan cheese.
How to make it
- First, start cooking the pasta according to the package directions.
- While the pasta is cooking, make the vegan cashew pesto according to the recipe and then add the pesto to the cooked pasta and mix well.
- Top with red pepper flakes, fresh basil leaves and also vegan parmesan cheese.
Tips & Variations
- If the pesto is too thick, you can add a little bit of water to thin it out.
- You can also add vegetables such as asparagus.
- Always adjust to taste and then add more salt if needed!
How to store it
I recommend storing the pesto separately and then adding it to the cooked pasta before serving. You can store the pesto in the fridge for up to 4 to 5 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
I don't recommend it since it will change the taste but you can try.
You can add 1 tablespoon of water at a time to thin it out until you reach the desired consistency
Yes, you can add a couple of tablespoons of olive oil for the flavor and texture.
This homemade vegan pesto pasta recipe comes together so quickly and it is very easy and versatile. It is also:
- Satisfying
- Gluten free and dairy free
- Perfect for weeknight dinners or lunches
- Also so delicious!
More plant based recipes to try
- THAI PEANUT NOODLES (VEGAN & EASY)
- MEATBALLS RECIPE (GLUTEN-FREE & EASY)
- PAD THAI (EASY & HEALTHY)
- LENTIL BOLOGNESE
- PASTA SALAD (EASY & QUICK)
- BLACK BEAN QUINOA BURGER
- PAELLA
So, did you make this? I’d love for you to leave a comment and rate the recipe. You can also share your photo of the recipe on Pinterest and tag me on Instagram using @avocadocentric or #avocadocentric! xo, Selin
PrintVegan Pesto Pasta ( Easy & Quick )
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish, Side Dish
- Method: Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This vegan pesto pasta recipe is flavorful, satisfying, quick, & easy to make! It's plant based, gluten free, oil free, dairy free and made with vegan cashew pesto!
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta (gluten free if preferred)
- 1 recipe of vegan cashew pesto
- ¼ teaspoon to ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust)
- basil leaves for garnish
- homemade vegan parmesan cheese or storebought (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
- While the pasta is cooking, make the vegan cashew pesto according to the recipe. add the pesto to the cooked pasta and mix well.
- Top with red pepper flakes, fresh basil leaves and vegan parmesan cheese.
Notes
If the pesto is too thick, add a little bit of water to thin it out.
add vegetables such as asparagus.
Always adjust to taste and add more salt if needed!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 486
- Sugar: 4.1g
- Sodium: 345.8
- Fat: 13.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 74.5g
- Fiber: 4.5g
- Protein: 17.2
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: dairy free pesto pasta, cashew pesto pasta, vegan pasta, vegan creamy pesto pasta
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