Imagine twirling your fork into a creamy, vibrant pasta dish that's not just delicious, but completely plant-based and bursting with Mediterranean flavors. This Creamy Vegan Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta is about to revolutionize your dinner routine, proving that vegan cuisine can be indulgent, quick to prepare, and absolutely mouth-watering. In just 25 minutes, you'll transform simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal that will have everyone asking for seconds!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta of choice
- 1 cup sun dried tomatoes, packed in oil
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 2 cups fresh basil
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup coconut cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Select your preferred pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the pesto by adding sun-dried tomatoes, walnuts, fresh basil, nutritional yeast, and garlic to a food processor. Pulse until the ingredients are roughly chopped.
- Gradually stream in the coconut cream while the food processor is running, blending until a smooth and creamy pesto sauce forms. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Once the pasta is cooked, reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta in a colander.
- Return the pasta to the pot and add the sun-dried tomato pesto sauce. Stir to coat the pasta evenly, using reserved pasta water if needed to help the sauce adhere and reach desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or nutritional yeast as desired.
- Serve immediately in warm bowls, garnishing with additional fresh basil leaves or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast if desired.
Tips
- Choose high-quality sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for maximum flavor intensity.
- Toast your walnuts lightly before blending to enhance their nutty richness.
- Use fresh basil at room temperature for the most aromatic pesto.
- Reserve pasta water before draining - its starchy magic helps create a silky sauce.
- If the pesto seems too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water to achieve perfect consistency.
- For extra protein, consider adding roasted chickpeas or plant-based protein on top.
- Fresh basil leaves make an elegant garnish that also boosts the dish's visual appeal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 550kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
