Vegan Pesto Pasta

Why You Should Make Vegan Pesto Pasta

Vegan pesto pasta is one of those magical meals that checks all the boxes. It’s quick to make, packed with flavor, and incredibly versatile. Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight or hosting a casual dinner, this dish delivers big on taste without the fuss. Plus, it’s a great way to sneak in greens—thanks to the fresh basil and spinach—while keeping things light and nourishing.

Making this recipe takes zero cooking skills and minimum time, so if you can’t cook for your life, then this will become your go-to! When your fridge is almost empty, and you come home starving or when you want to impress your friends with a fancy meal, pesto pasta will be there for you. Simple ingredients, satisfying flavor, and ready in under 30 minutes? That’s a win in our book.

Key Ingredients and Substitutions

It really doesn’t take much to throw together this vegan pesto pasta. Here’s what you need, plus some easy substitutions:

• Fresh basil – The star of the pesto! Go for bright, fragrant leaves. If you’re short on basil, you can mix in a bit of spinach or another tender green.
• Garlic – Just one clove adds a punch of flavor without overpowering the sauce. If you’re sensitive to raw garlic, you can lightly sauté it first.
• Toasted pine nuts – These give the pesto its classic nutty richness. Toasting them enhances the flavor, so don’t skip that step! You’ll also sprinkle a few on top for extra texture. Don’t have pine nuts? Make a walnut pesto instead!
• Olive oil – Adds creaminess to the pesto and helps coat the pasta. Use a good-quality extra virgin olive oil if you can.
• Lemon juice – Just a splash brightens everything up and balances the richness of the nuts and oil.
• Vegan pasta – Tagliatelle works beautifully here, but any pasta shape will do. Choose your favorite! See the next section for more ideas.
• Frozen peas – A quick and easy veggie that adds sweetness and a pop of green. No need to thaw—just toss them in!
• Zucchini – Light, tender, and mild, zucchini pairs well with pesto and cooks up fast. Slice it thin or into half-moons.
• Fresh spinach – Wilts into the pasta for an easy way to get more greens in your meal.

For the full list of ingredients and quantities, make sure to scroll to the recipe card below.

Best Pasta To Use with Pesto

We need to get serious. Choosing which pasta to cook is serious business, friends. Pesto clings best to pasta with ridges or twists, like fusilli, rotini, or farfalle. But really, any pasta you have on hand will work just fine!

Here are some of the options:

• Penne
• Spaghetti
• Linguini
• Fettuccini
• Tagliatelle
• Pappardelle
• Farfalle
• Rotini
• Fusilli
• Bow Ties
• Macaroni

My personal favorite is tagliatelle! There’s something about the pesto running through the long noodles that makes it perfect and just classic. What’s your favorite?

You can even use different types of noodles than the traditional wheat pasta. There are loads of healthy noodle options out there now. Try chickpea pasta for more protein and fiber or hearts of palm noodles for a low calorie option.

Should I Eat Pesto with Dry Pasta or Fresh Pasta?

This will depend solely on your preference. Dry pasta is so easy-peasy and always readily available. But when you can get your paws on some fresh pasta, that always adds an extra special touch. If you want to feel like you’re sitting in a small restaurant in Italy, then get yourself some nice fresh fettuccini.

Just beware—eggs or other non-vegan ingredients that can often find their way into fresh pasta!

Different Ways To Use Pesto

The best part about a classic and simple recipe like this vegan pesto pasta is how incredibly versatile it is. In fact, we first published it as a go-to vegan pesto sauce—perfect for everything from pasta to pizza!

Try it as a spread on a veggie sandwich, a drizzle over roasted veggies, or bake it into pesto pull-apart bread. It also makes a great dip for crackers or fresh veggies. Basically, if you can eat it, you can probably put pesto on it—and it’ll taste amazing.

And if you’re looking to switch things up, we’ve got a delicious vegan walnut pesto pasta variation too! It’s just as easy, made with walnuts instead of pine nuts, and has a slightly earthier flavor that pairs beautifully with hearty grains or roasted sweet potatoes.

This recipe is so easy and versatile you’ll enjoy it all the way through. From picking the fresh ingredients to preparing the pesto and mixing it with the pasta, to eating it and showing off in front of your friends and family. This vegan pesto pasta is a must-try!

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