Vegan Walnut Pesto Cavatappi
This vegan walnut pesto cavatappi is a weeknight showstopper. It comes together in 20 minutes, is super satisfying, and offers lots of brain-boosting omega-3s.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time10 minutes mins
Total Time20 minutes mins
Course: Bigger Bites, Pasta
Cuisine: plant-based, Vegan
Servings: 4
Author: Ashley
- 12 ounces cavatappi noodles or other spiral pasta
- 1 cup basil leaves
- ½ cup baby arugula
- ½ cup raw walnuts pieces
- 2 tablespoons cold-pressed olive oil
- ½ to 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, to taste
- 1 garlic clove, peeled
- ½ teaspoon sea salt or to taste, plus more for salting the pasta water
- 1 recipe Vegan Nut // Seed Parmesan Cheese (optional)
Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water, and return the cooked pasta to the pan.
Meanwhile, prepare the walnut pesto by adding the basil, arugula, walnuts, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and sea salt to a food processor and processing for 1 to 2 minutes or until just shy of smooth, stopping to scrape down sides as needed.
Spoon the pesto over the pasta, and toss to coat, adding in pasta water by the tablespoon only if absolutely needed to thin the sauce. NOTE: If you add pasta water, you'll likely need to add more salt as well.
Taste and season with additional sea salt, if desired.
Divide the pasta between bowls.
Garnish with parmesan, if desired.