A creamy, mouth-watering, healthy, and satisfying vegan pesto pasta dish brings together comfort food and culinary finesse in a quick and easy recipe. This dairy-free pesto pasta meal is packed with flavor and can be prepared in a flash, making it the perfect choice for family dinners or meal prepping for the week ahead.

Vegan Pesto Pasta: A Perfect Meal for All
If you’re looking to introduce some fresh, bold flavors into your meals—whether for dinner or portable lunches—this vegan pesto pasta is your answer. It’s a dish that will satisfy both vegan and non-vegan tastes alike! If you loved the crisp, refreshing taste of spring in the Easy Green Pesto Pasta, this Vegan Pesto Pasta will become your new favorite go-to dish.

What’s the Best Pasta for Pesto?
When it comes to choosing pasta for pesto, two factors are key: the type of pasta and how to cook it properly. For this basil pesto pasta, opt for a wide noodle such as fettuccine or one with plenty of twists and ridges like fusilli or farfalle. These shapes hold the sauce best, allowing you to enjoy every bite. Additionally, ensure the pasta is cooked al dente and be sure to save a bit of pasta water before draining to achieve the perfect sauce consistency.

Can Vegans Eat Pesto?
Many people are curious about how vegans can enjoy pesto, especially since traditional pesto often contains cheese. The solution is simple: make your own homemade vegan pesto! This recipe uses macadamia nuts and nutritional yeast, creating a creamy, dairy- and gluten-free pesto that tastes just as rich and authentic as the original.

How to Make Vegan Pesto Pasta
Making the best vegan pesto pasta is incredibly easy:

1. Boil your chosen pasta until al dente, and don’t forget to reserve a bit of the starchy water before draining it.

2. While the pasta cooks, warm up the cannellini beans and sun-dried tomatoes in the microwave until they’re just heated through—no need to make them hot.

3. Once the pasta is ready, toss it with the homemade vegan pesto, beans, and sun-dried tomatoes. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency.

4. Sprinkle with vegan Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper for extra flavor, and garnish with fresh basil leaves.

Store and Reheat Tips:
Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to two days. Reheat the pasta by microwaving or warming it on the stove. To preserve the pesto’s creamy texture, keep some of the starchy pasta water to thin the sauce when reheating.

Recipe Variations
Feel free to experiment with different types of pesto or ingredients:

• If you’re not strictly vegan, try traditional pesto with cheese.

• Wild garlic pesto or kale pesto can be great alternatives to the standard basil version.

• If you can’t find sun-dried tomatoes in oil, dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes work too; just cook them with the pasta.

• Swap the cannellini beans for chickpeas, navy beans, or any white bean you prefer.

• This recipe is also flexible with pasta types, so you can use gluten-free or whole grain pasta if preferred.

Vegan Pesto Pasta Ingredients

• 9 oz (250 g) fusilli, farfalle, fettuccine, or pasta of choice

• ½ cup (½ batch) vegan pesto

• One 15 oz (400 g) can of cannellini beans, drained

• ½ cup (30 g) sun-dried tomatoes in oil, chopped

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

• Vegan Parmesan to serve (optional)

• Fresh basil leaves to garnish

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente, and reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.

2. While the pasta cooks, warm the cannellini beans and sun-dried tomatoes in the microwave.

3. Once the pasta is ready, toss it with the vegan pesto, beans, and sun-dried tomatoes. Add a little pasta water to thin the sauce if needed.

4. Season with salt and pepper, sprinkle with vegan Parmesan (optional), and garnish with basil.

Enjoy your vibrant, delicious, and nutritious vegan pesto pasta!

Cook’s Tips:

• Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat by microwaving or warming on the stove.

• To thin the sauce, keep up to ½ cup of starchy pasta water and add it gradually.

• Check out a collection of 50 healthy vegan recipes with pesto for more creative ways to enjoy pesto.

This vegan pesto pasta is the perfect balance of comfort, flavor, and health—an easy dish for anyone to enjoy!