Pesto Genovese

Pesto Genovese is a vibrant and aromatic vegan pasta dish that showcases the bright flavors of fresh basil and garlic, blended into a creamy sauce. Served over al dente pasta, this dish is both satisfying and nourishing, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

• Basil leaves - 50 grams
• Pine nuts - 30 grams
• Nutritional yeast - 3 tablespoons
• Garlic - 2 cloves
• Olive oil - 100 ml
• Lemon juice - 1 tablespoon
• Salt - ½ teaspoon
• Black pepper - to taste
• Pasta (spaghetti or your choice) - 200 grams

Steps

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
2. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the pesto. In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, pine nuts, nutritional yeast, garlic, salt, and black pepper.
3. Pulse the mixture until finely chopped. With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil and blend until smooth and creamy.
4. Add lemon juice to the pesto and pulse a few more times to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
5. Once the pasta is cooked, reserve ½ cup of pasta water and drain the rest. Return the pasta to the pot.
6. Mix the pesto into the pasta, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve your desired consistency.
7. Serve immediately, garnished with extra pine nuts and fresh basil if desired.

Nutrition

• Calories: 550
• Protein: 15 g
• Carbs: 80 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Water: 0.5 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in antioxidants from basil, which may help reduce inflammation.
• Provides healthy fats from olive oil and pine nuts, supporting heart health.

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