Dairy-Free Pesto Pasta
Savor the fresh and vibrant flavors of Dairy-Free Pesto Pasta, a perfect plant-based twist on a classic favorite! This quick and easy recipe combines gluten-free spaghetti with a lusciously creamy pesto made from fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, nutritional yeast, and a hint of zesty lemon juice. By substituting traditional Parmesan with nutritional yeast, this dish becomes completely dairy-free without compromising on its nutty, cheesy flavor. Tossed to perfection, the pasta is optionality adorned with juicy cherry tomatoes for a pop of color and extra sweetness. Ready in just 25 minutes from start to finish, this recipe is perfect for a healthy, weeknight dinner or an elegant meal for entertaining. Try this wholesome, flavorful pesto pasta today—your new go-to vegan and gluten-free comfort food!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Gluten-free spaghetti
- 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
- 1 quarter cup Pine nuts
- 3 whole Garlic cloves
- 0.25 cup Nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 0.5 cup Extra virgin olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the gluten-free spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water and then drain the pasta.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the pesto. In a food processor, add the fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic cloves, nutritional yeast, and lemon juice. Pulse until the mixture is coarsely chopped.
With the processor running, slowly stream in the extra virgin olive oil and continue processing until the pesto is smooth and creamy. If the mixture is too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, to reach the desired consistency.
Season the pesto with salt and black pepper to taste. Adjust any other seasonings as preferred.
In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the pesto sauce, tossing well to ensure all the pasta is evenly coated.
If using, halve the cherry tomatoes and add them to the pasta for a burst of color and flavor.
Serve the Dairy-Free Pesto Pasta warm, optionally garnished with additional pine nuts and fresh basil leaves.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1944 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 143.7 g | 184% | |
| Saturated Fat | 19.1 g | 96% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 11.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1027 mg | 45% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 137.6 g | 50% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 21.5 g | 77% | |
| Total Sugars | 10.6 g | ||
| Protein | 37.2 g | 74% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 271 mg | 21% | |
| Iron | 12.3 mg | 68% | |
| Potassium | 1758 mg | 37% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
