Pasta con Pesto

Pasta con Pesto is a vibrant and flavorful dish featuring pasta tossed in a rich, homemade vegan pesto made from fresh herbs, nuts, and olive oil. This delightful side dish showcases the essence of Spanish cuisine while remaining completely plant-based.

Ingredients

• Pasta (spaghetti or fusilli) - 200 grams
• Fresh basil leaves - 50 grams
• Pine nuts - 30 grams
• Garlic - 2 cloves
• Nutritional yeast - 2 tablespoons
• Olive oil - 50 milliliters
• Salt - 1 teaspoon
• Black pepper - to taste
• Cherry tomatoes - 100 grams (for garnish)
• Lemon juice - 1 tablespoon

Steps

1. Boil a pot of salted water and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes.
2. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the pesto by combining the basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, nutritional yeast, and salt in a food processor.
3. Pulse the mixture until it is finely chopped, then slowly drizzle in the olive oil while the processor is running until a smooth paste forms.
4. Once the pasta is done, reserve 50 milliliters of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
5. Mix the pesto with the pasta, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.
6. Season with black pepper and lemon juice, mixing well to combine.
7. Serve immediately, garnished with halved cherry tomatoes.

Nutrition

• Calories: 450
• Protein: 12 g
• Carbs: 60 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 400 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 olive oil and nuts, promoting heart health.
• High in antioxidants from fresh basil and tomatoes, supporting immune function.

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