Vegan Almond Pesto Pasta will be your new summer favorite. The almond pesto is nutty and fresh - made with only a few plant-based ingredients, this pesto is dairy-free and oil-free. Ready in just 20 minutes!
Classic pesto calls for pine nuts, but almonds are a delicious twist on the traditional recipe. Almonds are more nutty and fruity than pine nuts, and, in my opinion, create a deeper flavor for the pesto.
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Almonds are also very nutrient-dense, with a higher protein content than most nuts. Along with Vitamin E and Biotin.
If you haven't tried almonds in your pesto instead of pine nuts - now's the time!
Why I love this Vegan Almond Pesto Pasta
- Plant-based & dairy-free - most pesto recipes call for parmesan cheese and some sort of oil to create a smooth paste. But you don't need either of those for a delicious pesto!
- Fresh and summery - basil is in season during the summer, and it's bright, minty, peppery flavor makes any dish light and zesty
- So quick and easy - it literally takes 5 minutes to make pesto. Once you have your pesto, you just need the time to cook your pasta. Aaaand, dinner is done!
- Dietary needs - besides being vegan and oil-free, this pesto is also naturally gluten-free and totally sugar-free
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Fresh Basil: fresh basil is key for pesto. Buy the basil right before you'd like to use it to avoid it going bad. If you do buy it several days ahead of time, take it out of the package and place the stems in a glass of water to stay fresh.
- Raw Almonds: classic pesto calls for pine nuts, but almonds make a great addition to pesto. Choose raw almonds to get a fresh flavor and also avoid added oils
- Nutritional Yeast: nutritional yeast is a yellow yeast that has a cheesy flavor. It's the perfect substitute for cheese in many vegan recipes, like this pesto.
- Lemon Juice: fresh juice is best! You could use lime juice as a sub
- Salt & Pepper
- Pasta: I used a bean-based pasta for some extra protein. You can choose any pasta of any shape!
How to make Vegan Almond Pesto Pasta
Step 1. Make the pesto. Blend the basil, almonds, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a food processor. Add a tablespoon of water to achieve a paste consistency.
Step 2. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and rinse well.
Step 3. Transfer the pasta to a bowl and toss with the pesto, stirring evenly to coat. Enjoy!
FAQ & Expert Tips
If you can't eat almonds or other nuts, use an equivalent amount of sunflower seeds instead.
Use a bit of spinach as a sub. A few leaves of spinach won't affect the taste much and can provide some bulk if you're missing the basil.
Basil is a delicate herb that turns brown easily. So be sure to store this pesto in an air tight container and consider covering the top directly with plastic wrap.
When reheating leftovers, give the pesto a stir before using, as the ingredients may have separated slightly.
Recipe Prayer
Thank you God for fresh summer foods. Thank you for this quick and easy pesto that fuels our bodies. Help us to enjoy this food. Amen.
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📖 Recipe
Vegan Almond Pesto Pasta
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Packed Fresh Basil
- ⅓ Cup Raw Almonds
- 2 Tablespoons Nutritional Yeast
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- ¼ Teaspoon Pepper
- 8-12 Ounces Pasta of Choice
Instructions
- Make the pesto. Blend the basil, almonds, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a food processor. Add a tablespoon of water to achieve a paste consistency.
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and rinse well.
- Transfer the pasta to a bowl and toss with the pesto, stirring evenly to coat. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate.
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