Vegan Walnut Pesto Pasta

Vegan Walnut Pesto Pasta is a vibrant and flavorful dish that combines the richness of walnuts with fresh basil and garlic, creating a creamy and satisfying sauce. Tossed with al dente pasta, this dish is not only quick to make but also a delightful plant-based meal.

Ingredients

• Whole wheat pasta - 200 grams
• Fresh basil leaves - 50 grams
• Walnuts - 50 grams
• Garlic - 2 cloves
• Nutritional yeast - 2 tablespoons
• Olive oil - 60 ml
• Lemon juice - 1 tablespoon
• Salt - 1/2 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/4 teaspoon

Steps

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the whole wheat pasta according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes.
2. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the walnut pesto. In a food processor, combine the fresh basil leaves, walnuts, garlic, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.
3. Pulse the mixture until finely chopped, then slowly drizzle in the olive oil while the processor is running until the pesto reaches a creamy consistency.
4. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
5. Once the pasta is cooked, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
6. In the same pot, combine the drained pasta with the walnut pesto, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to achieve the desired creaminess.
7. Serve immediately, garnished with additional walnuts or fresh basil if desired.

Nutrition

• Calories: 480
• Protein: 14 g
• Carbs: 70 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Water: 0.5 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in healthy fats from walnuts, which support heart health.
• High in fiber from whole wheat pasta and fresh basil, promoting digestive health.

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