Today I’m in and out with a quick recipe from my instagram!
I made this pasta with pesto cream sauce for dinner a few weekends back, and people were loving the photo on instagram, so I thought I’d just share the recipe.
This is the definition of an easy weeknight meal- I just threw some pasta in the pot (we had a little whole wheat penne and a little whole wheat rotini), reserved some cooking water, made a sauce, and stirred in pesto.
Top is off with basil leaves and that’s one easy and totally delicious dinner that comes together in 30 minutes or less!
Enjoy xx
Vegan Whole Wheat Pasta with Pesto Cream Sauce
Author: Whisk & Shout
Recipe type: Lunch, Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4-6
This quick and delicious vegan pasta with pesto cream sauce is light and flavorful. Top it off with fresh basil for a perfect meal!
Ingredients
- 6-8 oz whole wheat pasta, any kind
- 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
- ½ cup vegan cream cheese
- 3 tbsp almonds
- 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 5 tsp sea salt, divided
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, chopped finely
- ¼ cup vegan pesto
- 4-6 basil leaves, chopped
Instructions
- Set a pot of water to boil with 4 tsp salt (or more!) and cook your pasta until al dente.
- Drain and reserve ½ cup of the pasta water. Don't rinse.
- Meanwhile, combine almond milk, cream cheese, almonds, nutritional yeast, black pepper, remaining salt, and lemon zest in a blender and pulse until smooth.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, sweat out your garlic with the olive oil (let it sizzle until soft and fragrant over low-ish heat, about 1-2 minutes)
- Add in your sauce from the blender and the ½ cup of pasta water. Stir to combine.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer and let it bubble for 10-12 minutes, until thickened.
- Toss pasta with sauce and stir in pesto until all combined.
- Sprinkle with chopped basil for garnish.
*adapted from my pasta recipe here
Â
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Mmm pesto sauce is my absolute favorite! I love this creamy version, Medha! Sounds perfect!
Medha says
Thanks, Gayle!
Julia says
Brilliant! I need to start doing this more…sometimes my rando photos on InstaG get far more attention than the ones I spend time staging, ha! LOVE this vegan pasta! It looks so creamy and dreamy and love that it’s all sorts of healthy!
Medha says
Exactly! Thanks 🙂
David @ Spiced says
What a delicious and simple recipe, Medha! Perfect for a quick weeknight meal. Thanks for sharing!!
Medha says
Thank you!!
Monica says
Everyone loves a pasta, and particularly a creamy pasta that looks this good. I’ve come to prefer whole wheat pasta for most sauces. This is a great meal!
Medha says
Thanks 🙂
Kelley @ Chef Savvy says
This sounds awesome! The sauce looks so creamy and rich! Can’t wait to try!
Medha says
Thanks, Kelley!
dixya | food, pleasure, and health says
i love quick in and out meals like this..esp with pesto, i bet it was so delicious!
Medha says
It definitely was! 🙂
Josefine says
God, this looks good 😛 Thanks for sharing!
Medha says
Thanks, Josefine!
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
I love an easy, delicious, and healthy pasta recipe any day of the week! I hope you are having a blast at school!
Medha says
I am, thanks 🙂
annie@ciaochowbambina says
Pesto cream? Yesyesyes! Love this simple and delightful weeknight meal! Well done, my friend!
Medha says
Thanks so much!
Manali @ CookWithManali says
love easy recipes like this, looks yum!
Medha says
Thanks, Manali 🙂
Kelly says
Love the pesto cream sauce! So creamy and perfect for busy weeknights!
Medha says
Thanks, Kelly!
Mike@TheIronYou says
Gorgeous, easy, and delish. What could you want more?
Great job M!
Medha says
Thank you!
Amanda says
I love a good pesto sauce on pasta, and vegan pesto sounds even better. Yum!
Medha says
Thanks 🙂
Katalina @ Peas and Peonies says
No wonder people were loving it, so creamy, easy and delicious, thanks for sharing it, I will definitely try it 🙂
Medha says
Thanks, Katalina!
Shinee says
Wow, this is totally my kind of weeknight meal. I love pesto, it’s so versatile and delicious. I’ll try your creamy version next time!
Medha says
LMK if you do 🙂
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
I love how simple this is! It looks so perfectly creamy and comforting for fall too!
Medha says
Pesto is the ultimate comfort food 🙂
Amy | Club Narwhal says
Vegan pesto!? Yes, please! Love that you made pasta both creamy and vegan. High five!
Medha says
Thanks, Amy!
Mir says
Looks fantastic. So creamy and won’t give me a tummyache! Well done!
Medha says
Thanks 🙂
Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom says
Beautiful photo – I’m so glad you shared the recipe! The pesto cream sounds absolutely wonderful. I’ve never tried the vegan version, but I think I’m going to have to try!
Medha says
Thanks, Kathleen!
Erin@WellPlated says
This looks like a perfect go-to dinner!
Medha says
For sure!
Lemonade Wise says
Yum I love pesto but I’ve never tried doing a creamy version like that – certainly looks good. I’m not vegan so I would add some chicken in there to give the meal some protein 🙂
Medha says
Thanks 🙂
Ashley says
Instagram is the best 🙂 This pasta looks delicious – and so simple. I need more simple meals in my life!
Medha says
Thanks!
Denise @ Sweet Peas & Saffron says
Love it! Simple, easy and fast! Looks delicious 🙂
Medha says
Thank you 🙂
Ruby says
Beautiful! Thank you very much for all the pasta cravings x
Medha says
You’re so welcome!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes) says
This pasta is absolutely sensational!!!! I want a bite right now.
Medha says
Thanks!!
Izzy says
I love recipes like this that are so easy to make but end up being one of the best weeknight dinners! I’m loving this creamy pasta 🙂
Medha says
Thank you!!
marcie says
Pesto is my favorite pasta sauce hands down, and I love this vegan alternative! This is such a delicious looking bowl of pasta!
Medha says
Thanks!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
This is my kind of weeknight dinner. I’m always so bad when it comes to making a dinner, so I need more meals like this in my back pocket. Also, I love that you just threw in two different types of pasta. I always do that because I usually have tons of half boxes laying around!
Medha says
Right?!
Julie says
Oh wow – this dish looks so amazing! My mouth is watering just looking at your pictures and I already had dinner!! Pinned 😀
Medha says
Thanks for the pin!
Beverley @ sweaty&fit says
I had something similar to this last night, except yours looks sooo much better and creamier. I will try it again tonight except with some of your additions!! yay
Medha says
Aw thanks!