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    Gastronotherapy » Recipes » Main Course

    Creamy Vegan Pesto Pasta (30-Minute)

    Modified: May 2, 2024 · Published: Feb 23, 2024 · by MaryAnne · 14 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    This creamy & bright vegan pesto pasta has bold and nuanced flavor from juicy roasted tomatoes, cheesy nutritional yeast, aromatic basil, and crunchy walnuts. It's ready in just 30 minutes for an easy and healthy weeknight meal!

    Creamy pesto pasta with roasted tomatoes in a white bowl.

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    When the weather turns warm, I want lighter and healthier meals that are fresh, delicious, and relatively quick to whip up, like caramelized shallot pasta or easy miso noodles. A bowl of vegan pesto pasta always hits the spot during the warm-weather months.

    If you are like me, you love pesto. It's one of those magical sauces that can be added to so many dishes. It's bright, garlicky, cheesy, herby, and so incredibly full of flavor. And what's more, you can make a batch of pesto in a matter of minutes!

    For this vegan pesto recipe, we use frozen peas for texture, nutrition, and creaminess. Nutritional yeast is added to give it a rich cheesy flavor, walnuts for nuttiness, and garlic for depth and savoriness (make a double batch and freeze it for later!). After tossing it with our noodles, roasted tomatoes are added for bright acidity and sweet juiciness.

    Jump to:
    • ⭐️ Why This Recipe Works
    • 💬 What is Vegan Pesto Made of?
    • 🍅 Ingredient Notes
    • 📝 Variations & Substitutions
    • 🔪 How To Make Vegan Pesto Pasta
    • 🍽 What To Serve with Vegan Pesto Pasta
    • 👩🏼‍🍳 Expert Tips
    • 💬 Frequently Asked Questions
    • 🍝 More Vegan Noodle Recipes
    • Creamy Vegan Pesto Pasta (30-Minute)

    ⭐️ Why This Recipe Works

    • Thick and creamy dairy-free pasta
    • Rich, savory, and cheesy flavor
    • Dairy-free/vegan pasta recipe that's healthy and packed with vitamins & minerals
    • Quick and easy; ready in 30 minutes!
    • Make-ahead and freeze options
    • Great for meal-prep!

    💬 What is Vegan Pesto Made of?

    It's typically made using fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, and olive oil. Nutritional yeast is often used to replace the Parmesan cheese, and in this recipe, we add peas for brightness, texture, and creaminess. If you're new to eating vegan, be sure to check out my vegan grocery list for beginners!

    🍅 Ingredient Notes

    Pasta ingredients arranged on a table.
    • Olive oil - Use a good-quality olive oil with a flavor that you enjoy, as we use ⅓ cup to make the pesto.
    • Frozen peas - Using frozen peas is important because they still have a bit of firmness to them, and they are brighter in color compared to canned peas (frozen peas work magic in this wonton wrapper ravioli).
    • Garlic cloves - I highly recommend using fresh garlic for optimal flavor.
    • Nutritional yeast - Deactivated yeast that provides deep cheesy flavor and vitamin B-12. This replaces the Parmesan cheese found in traditional pesto.
    • Walnuts - High in protein and healthy fats, they provide subtle nuttiness to our pasta.
    • Red pepper flakes (optional) - Just a pinch is all you need to give it a slight kick.
    • Rotini pasta - I like the texture of rotini pasta, but any short pasta shape will work well. The thick and creamy pesto sauce settles into all of the crevices, creating a luscious consistency.

    📝 Variations & Substitutions

    Creamy vegan pasta garnished with fresh parsley.
    • Use your favorite veggies: Replace the roasted tomatoes with roasted cauliflower, asparagus, or vegan roasted brussels sprouts, depending on the season.
    • Make it spicy: If you like a splash of heat with your pasta dish, don't leave out the red pepper flakes at the end. You could even add a pinch of cayenne pepper for an extra kick!
    • Top it with quick pickled red onions for a tangy crunch.
    • Add fresh herbs: Finish your pasta with a handful of fresh basil, parsley, or a spoonful of fresh rosemary or thyme.
    • Substitute any toasted nuts for the walnuts. Almonds and cashews would be delicious!
    • Make gluten-free: Simply use your favorite gluten-free pasta.

    🔪 How To Make Vegan Pesto Pasta

    *Printable instructions can be found in the recipe card below.

    Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

    Roast tomatoes: Place cherry tomatoes on a baking sheet and drizzle lightly with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes, until tomatoes are soft. Set aside.

    roasted tomatoes on a baking sheet.

    Make pea pesto: Place peas, garlic, nutritional yeast, walnuts, salt, and pepper into the bowl of a food processor. Mix until combined, stopping once to scrape down sides of bowl.

    With the machine running, slowly drizzle in olive oil. Transfer mixture into large sauté pan.

    vegan pesto blended in a food processor.

    Make pasta: Cook fettuccine following instructions on box. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain fettuccine. Transfer noodles to sauté pan with pesto.

    Cooked pasta combined with creamy pesto in a large pan.

    Bring it all together: Over low heat, toss noodles with pesto, and as much reserved pasta water as needed to create a creamy sauce. Add roasted tomatoes and toss. If using, add pinch of red pepper flakes. Season with additional salt and pepper if necessary.

    Roasted tomatoes added to pesto pasta.

    🍽 What To Serve with Vegan Pesto Pasta

    Because it's already a hearty meal full of nutrients from peas, tomatoes, walnuts, and nutritional yeast, I often serve this dish with:

    • A light side salad, like shaved fennel salad or apple gorgonzola salad.
    • A refreshing beverage, like cucumber lemon ginger water or grapefruit vodka cocktail.
    • Vegan dessert, like vegan chocolate avocado mousse or vegan peanut butter banana cookies.

    👩🏼‍🍳 Expert Tips

    Large bowl of savory pesto pasta with fresh basil.
    • Season your pasta water with plenty of salt.
    • Make ahead: Make your pea pesto up to one day ahead of time. Store covered in the refrigerator until ready to reheat.
    • Storage: Leftovers can be stored (covered) in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
    • How to freeze: After completely cooled, transfer individual portions to freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. To thaw, place in the fridge overnight.
    • Use short pasta. Because of the thick and creamy sauce, short pasta shapes work best because of all of their nooks and crannies.
    • To reheat: Re-warm on the stovetop over low heat. Add a tablespoon or two of non-dairy milk or water to add moisture and boost the creaminess.
    • Double up. Make a double batch of pesto and freeze half for later use. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. To thaw, place in refrigerator overnight.

    💬 Frequently Asked Questions

    What is nutritional yeast?

    Nutritional yeast is essentially deactivated yeast that is similar to baker's yeast or brewer's yeast. It has an intense cheesy flavor and contains vitamin B-12, which is a nutrient that is actually hard to find in other foods.

    What can I use instead of cheese in pesto?

    Nutritional yeast is a great replacement when you want a cheesy flavor without using dairy.

    How long does vegan pesto last?

    This vegan pesto recipe can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

    🍝 More Vegan Noodle Recipes

    • caramelized shallot pasta with greens in a white bowl garnished with parsley and cutting board in background with chopped parsley
      Alison Roman's Caramelized Shallot Pasta (without anchovies)
    • Bowl of easy peanut noodles with chopsticks.
      Easy Peanut Noodles (20-minute)
    • Spicy miso noodles with roasted tomatoes in a white bowl with two forks.
      Easy Miso Noodles
    • bowl of healthy pad thai with chopsticks resting on bowl.
      Healthy Pad Thai (Vegetarian)

    Tried this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. You can also stay in touch with us through social media by following us on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook.

    Subscribe to my email newsletter to get a FREE e-book of 15 Healthy Weeknight Recipes, and get new recipes delivered to your inbox every week!

    Creamy pesto pasta with roasted tomatoes in a white bowl.

    Creamy Vegan Pesto Pasta (30-Minute)

    Author: MaryAnne
    This creamy and bright vegan pesto pasta has bold and nuanced flavor from juicy roasted tomatoes, cheesy nutritional yeast, aromatic basil, and toasted walnuts. Ready in just 30 minutes for an easy and healthy weeknight meal!
    5 from 10 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 362 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 Food processor

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pint cherry tomatoes
    • olive oil
    • 1 10-ounce package frozen peas, defrosted
    • 2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
    • ¼ cup nutritional yeast
    • 2 Tablespoons walnuts, toasted and cooled
    • 1 cup basil leaves, packed
    • ¾ teaspoon sea salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • ⅓ cup olive oil
    • 12 ounces dried rotini pasta (or any short pasta)
    • red pepper flakes, optional

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
    • Place cherry tomatoes on a baking sheet and drizzle lightly with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes, until tomatoes are soft. Set aside.
    • Place peas, garlic, nutritional yeast, walnuts, fresh basil, salt, and pepper into the bowl of a food processor. Mix until combined, stopping once to scrape down sides of bowl.
    • With the machine running, slowly drizzle in olive oil. Transfer mixture into large sauté pan.
    • Cook pasta following instructions on box (don't forget to salt your pasta water!). Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain pasta. Transfer noodles to sauté pan with pesto.
    • Over low heat, toss noodles with pesto, and add reserved pasta water. Stir to combine, until a creamy consistency is reached. The sauce will thicken later in the refrigerator, so be liberal with the pasta water. Add roasted tomatoes and toss. If using, add pinch of red pepper flakes. Season with additional salt and pepper if necessary. Serve immediately.

    Video

    Notes

    • Season your pasta water with plenty of salt.
    • Storage: Leftovers can be stored (covered) in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
    • How to freeze: After completely cooled, transfer individual portions to freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. To thaw, place in the refrigerator overnight.
    • To reheat: Re-warm on the stovetop over low heat. Add a tablespoon or two of non-dairy milk or water to add moisture and boost the creaminess.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 362kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 9gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gSodium: 306mgPotassium: 399mgFiber: 4gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 899IUVitamin C: 29mgCalcium: 38mgIron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Brianna

      May 01, 2021 at 8:40 am

      5 stars
      This pasta is so light and flavorful, I can't wait to make it for my vegan sister!

      Reply
      • Gastronotherapy

        May 02, 2021 at 11:04 am

        Yay! Thanks, Brianna!

        Reply
    2. Tania

      May 01, 2021 at 8:47 am

      5 stars
      This is such a deliciously hearty meal and was enjoyed by all! I’ll definitely be making it again.
      Thank you so much!

      Reply
      • Gastronotherapy

        May 02, 2021 at 11:05 am

        So glad to hear that, Tania!

        Reply
    3. Biana

      May 01, 2021 at 8:58 am

      5 stars
      Yum! This looks like a perfect, quick weeknight dinner.

      Reply
      • Gastronotherapy

        May 02, 2021 at 11:05 am

        Thanks, Biana!

        Reply
    4. Tara

      May 01, 2021 at 9:03 am

      5 stars
      The weather does keep hopping back and forth here over the last few weeks! This fettuccine looks so light and refreshing. Such perfect flavors for spring/summer.

      Reply
      • Gastronotherapy

        May 02, 2021 at 11:06 am

        Thanks, Tara! Yes, it's perfect for the warmer months!

        Reply
    5. Beth

      May 01, 2021 at 10:13 am

      5 stars
      This pasta looks amazing and so yummy! My son and hubby loved this recipe, so excited to give this a try!

      Reply
      • Gastronotherapy

        May 02, 2021 at 11:07 am

        Thanks, Beth!

        Reply
    6. Laura Forer

      July 29, 2022 at 6:40 pm

      5 stars
      I never would have thought to make pesto with peas, but it's brilliant. I can't eat dairy and get mixed results when making pesto, but this one is a winner! I'm eating it by the spoonful.

      Fyi I didn't measure things exactly and I think ended up using quite a bit more nooch than called for. I just kept adding more and it kept tasting better and better!

      Reply
      • MaryAnne

        July 30, 2022 at 6:10 am

        So happy to hear that it was a winner for you, Laura! And yes, you can really add as much nutritional yeast, or "nooch", as you like, as it's really replacing the cheesy flavor of Parmesan. Thanks for stopping by! 😍

        Reply
    7. Amy

      February 19, 2024 at 5:18 pm

      5 stars
      So rich and creamy, it's hard to believe that this is vegan! I didn't mention to my family that it was vegan, and they all raved about it. I guess I fooled them! Thanks for a great recipe!

      Reply
      • MaryAnne

        February 20, 2024 at 4:32 pm

        Ha, that's great, Amy! So happy you all enjoyed it! 🙂

        Reply
    5 from 10 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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    Hi! I’m MaryAnne, the writer, recipe developer, and photographer behind Gastronotherapy, where I bring vibrant, delicious, and thoughtfully crafted mainly vegetarian and vegan (flexitarian) recipes to life. While my focus leans toward wholesome, nourishing dishes, my love for dessert ensures that indulgence always has a place at the table!

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