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20 Minute Vegan Pesto Pasta Recipe

20 Minute Vegan Pesto Pasta Recipe

5.1 from 8 reviews

This 20 Minute Vegan Pesto Pasta is a quick and flavorful dish that combines the freshness of basil pesto with the richness of vegan cream and Parmesan, served over perfectly cooked pasta and sautéed tomatoes. It’s a delightful plant-based meal that’s easy to make and sure to please your taste buds.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta:

  • 8 ounces pasta

Sautéed Tomatoes:

  • ½ tablespoon coconut oil
  • 2 cups grape tomatoes (or cherry tomatoes, sliced)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Vegan Cream Sauce:

  • 24 tablespoons vegan heavy cream
  • 3 tablespoons vegan Parmesan cheese (homemade or store-bought plus more for garnish)
  • ½ to ¾ cup pesto
  • 24 tablespoons pasta water

Basil Pesto:

  • 2 ½ cups basil (stemmed and washed)
  • ⅓ cup walnuts (raw)
  • 2 tablespoons vegan Parmesan cheese
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ⅓ cup olive oil (up to 1/2 cup)
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper (adjust to taste)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
  2. Sauté the Tomatoes: Heat coconut oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Sauté tomatoes until cooked down and burst, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. Prepare the Pesto: In a food processor or blender, combine all pesto ingredients and blend until smooth.
  4. Combine Ingredients: Strain cooked pasta, reserving some pasta water. Add vegan cream, Parmesan, and pesto to the pan with tomatoes. Stir in pasta and additional water if needed.
  5. Adjust and Serve: Season with salt as needed. Serve with extra Parmesan on the side.

Notes

  • You can adjust the consistency of the pesto by adding more olive oil or pasta water.
  • Feel free to customize with additional veggies or proteins.

Nutrition

Keywords: Vegan Pesto Pasta, Plant-based Pasta Recipe, Quick Vegan Meal