Walnut Pesto Pasta

What do you do when you’re craving a rich and creamy pasta with a particular summer-like sensation? It’s really a no-brainer. You make a beautiful green batch of our walnut pesto pasta, pronto! Fantastically fresh, vibrant, and as enjoyable for the eyes as it is for the stomach.

The combination of fragrant, shiny basil leaves with crumbly, nutty walnuts makes for an incredibly flavorful pesto sauce that’s out of this world! Pour in a half of a cup of smooth, golden olive oil and a pound of your favorite pasta and you’ve got yourself a truly mouthwatering meal. You’ll not only impress your guests, but your taste buds as well!

Do you know why we think this pesto pasta recipe is so perfect for a luscious lunch or delightful dinner? Keep reading to find out more!

Why Does This Pesto Use Walnuts instead of Pine Nuts?

You might be skeptical about this recipe because it’s made with walnut instead of pine nuts (which are traditionally used in pesto). We chose walnuts because they’re much less expensive than pine nuts (which can cost 4x or 5x more than other nuts). But guess what? This pesto tastes almost exactly the same as pesto made with pine nuts.

Don’t believe us? Just give it a try. We’ve served this to many pesto lovers and many non-vegans and it always gets rave reviews. Many people have shared that they actually like it better than their favorite pesto.

What Are the Health Benefits of Walnuts?

Walnuts not only resemble a human brain in shape and texture (have you ever noticed this?), but they also provide our bodies with so many much-needed essential nutrients such as:

• High in omega-3s
• Loads of vitamin E and polyphenols
• Melatonin to help you sleep
• Highest antioxidant activity of any common nut

They also promote healthy bacteria growth in your gut, which can help with reducing inflammation and heart disease risk. Plus, they taste absolutely yummy with their buttery, nutty flavor and are a super portable, satisfying snack. Now you have even more reason to try this walnut pesto pasta recipe!

What’s Great About Basil?

Basil is one of the best herbs for a beginner because it’s easy to grow and also bursting with antioxidants such as lutein, beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, and beta-cryptoxanthin. All of these are amazing for eye health and reducing oxidative stress.

The bright green, rounded leaves have a strong, attractive scent and are grown with more than 60 unique varieties. Did you know that basil is actually native to India, Asia, and Africa, but it mostly associated with Italian and Thai-inspired dishes?

Five most common varieties of basil (with the Latin name of Ocimum basilicum) are Sweet Basil (with a slight licorice-clove flavor), Greek Basil (strong scent, but mild taste), Thai Basil (used in Thai cuisine with an anise-licorice profile), Cinnamon Basil (native to Mexico and wonderful with legumes or spicy veggies), and Lettuce Basil (again having a licorice flavor, but also large, soft wrinkly leaves).

How To Serve Up Your Pasta

Pasta meals are usually pretty pleasant on their own, but there are ways to plump up the portions or pump up the already amazing flavor. Here are some of our favorite tips:

• Supersize With a Salad – Whether you’re looking to add more dark leafy greens or just bulk up your bowl, adding a side salad will give your meal much more fiber and a nice crunchy texture to your smooth pesto pasta.
• Go for Garlic Bread – Who can say no to garlic bread with pasta? Not us! Pasta never seems quite complete without a crusty chunk of soft bread and the sharp, savory smell of garlic. Don’t worry about your breath, we give you permission to eat as much as you want.
• Spice It Up – In our opinion, there’s always room for extra heat. Shake on some cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper, or even a hint of hot sauce. Consider including some juicy slices of jalapeño or, if you’re hankering for something more serious, a handful of habaneros.
• But Basil Makes Me Burp – No worries. We wouldn’t want you to make any mystery sounds while partaking of your pasta. Simply switch out the belly-busting basil for some pretty green parsley and all should be peaceful.
• Never Enough Nutrients – If you feel like you’re not getting all that you need in terms of nutrition, think about supplementing with some sautéd vegetables. Thinly sliced red bell peppers, broccoli, asparagus, tomatoes, or even red onions would increase your fiber, vitamin C, and other vitamins and minerals. You’d also be adding a bit more color, too.

Simple Storage for Walnut Pesto Pasta

Any pasta leftovers can be placed in a covered container and placed in the refrigerator. They should last for up to 5 days. When re-heating, add a tablespoon of water (or, better yet, more pesto sauce) to the mix, stir well, and cook until heated through. Either 1-2 minutes in the microwave or about 5 minutes over medium/low on the stovetop would work. Sprinkle on a few more chopped walnuts, if you wish.

Leftovers can also be frozen for up to 2 weeks if placed in an airtight, freezer-safe container. You can store them in glass containers or you can even use a Stasher bag for this––the mega bag size is so handy and you can reheat right in the bag itself!

Equipment You’ll Need

• Large Boiling Pot
• Strainer or Colander
• Measuring Spoons
• Measuring Cups
• High Powered Blender or Food Processor

If you try this Walnut Pesto Pasta recipe, let us know what you think by leaving a comment and rating below! Be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook for even more vegan recipe inspiration.

Walnut Pesto Pasta

Author: Michelle Cehn and Toni Okamoto

5 from 9 votes

We're obsessed with our homemade pesto, which is made with walnuts instead of pine nuts. You'll not only love the flavor, but you'll also save loads of money on nuts. Just pick your favorite type of pasta and serve this dish warm or cold. Any way you go, this is a perfect weeknight meal to throw together!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Servings 4 -6 servings

Ingredients

WALNUT PESTO

• ½ cup of tightly packed fresh basil leaves
• 1 cup of raw walnuts
• 1 teaspoon of minced garlic, about 2 small cloves
• ½ cup of olive oil
• 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast
• 1 teaspoon of salt

WALNUT PESTO PASTA

• 1 16 ounce package of your favorite pasta
• 1 batch of Walnut Pesto
• salt, to taste
• 1 tablespoon of chopped walnuts, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

WALNUT PESTO

• In a high-powered blender or food processor, combine all ingredients.
• Blend on high until smooth and creamy.

WALNUT PESTO PASTA

• In a large pot of boiling water, cook the pasta according to the directions on the package. Drain thoroughly.
• Combine the pesto with the cooked noodles.
• Serve with an extra sprinkle of salt and garnish with the chopped walnuts (if using).

Notes

Enjoy the pesto immediately or store in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Course Lunch or Dinner

Cuisine Italian

Keyword comfort food, dairy-free pesto, dinner, lunch, pasta, Pesto Pasta, soy-free, vegetarian, walnut

More Plant-Based Pasta Recipes to Try:

• Instant Pot Pasta With Vegan Meatballs
• Creamy Hummus Pasta With Sun-Dried Tomatoes
• Pasta Recipes for the Entire Family
• Super Easy Vegetable Pasta
• One Pot Enchilada Pasta
• Vegan Pasta Salad
• Fresh Picnic Pasta Salad
• Rich & Creamy One-Pot Pasta

Walnut Pesto Pasta recipe Michelle Cehn & Toni Okamoto shared from The Friendly Vegan Cookbook. Photos by Zhoro Apostolov. Article written by Gina House and edited by Amanda Meth. Please note that this article contains affiliate links to help support our work at World of Vegan!