Creamy Pesto Pasta With Nut Cheese

It’s cheesy in a nutty kind of way. An absolute favorite of mine and very popular with people who are transitioning to the plant-based diet. You can make this with regular or gluten-free pasta. This dish is topped with nut cheese, making it a vegan dish.

In case you haven’t noticed with my recipe posts, I’m a huge fan of simple, fresh, and tasty. This is one of those dishes that is fast and yummy!  Even though it may look like a lot of steps, don’t let that stop you. Most of it is just mixing the ingredients in a food processor or blender. If you’re in need of one, I recommend the Vitamix Blender. You can help support this site by purchasing it through our online store. If you’re gluten-free use your favorite gluten-free pasta, it tastes just as good.

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Creamy Pesto Pasta With Nut Cheese

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Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Calories 506.52

This is one of those dishes that is fast and yummy!  Even though it may look like a lot of steps, don’t let that stop you. Most of it is just mixing the ingredients in a food processor or blender.

Ingredients

Pasta Ingredients

• Spaghetti noodles (try this vegan organic gluten-free spaghetti)
• Corn (1-2 ears of fresh cooked corn)
• 1 cup grape tomatoes

Vegan Pesto

• 1 cup of raw soaked cashews (soak at least 4 or boil them for 15 minutes or pine nuts (raw, unsoaked))
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves (a handful)
• Sea salt (to taste)
• 1-2 cloves garlic
• 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1-2 lemons (juice to taste)

Nut Cheese Ingredients

• 1 cup unsoaked cashews
• Chili Flakes (to taste; optional)
• 1 garlic clove
• Sea salt (to taste)

Instructions 

Directions for Vegan Pesto Sauce

• Soak your cashews earlier in the day or overnight in a bowl that allows the water to just cover them
• Once cashews are ready, should be soft, rinse and place in food processor
• Add garlic cloves, olive oil, basil and a bit of sea salt
• Drizzle in teaspoons of hot water as needed to make the pesto the right consistency
• Chop in food processor until consistency is smooth, set aside

Directions for Nut Cheese

• Place un-soaked cashews in food processor
• Add garlic clove and mix contents is crumbly and similar consistency to parmesan cheese
• Sprinkle with sea salt and chili flakes (for a spicy kick)
• Fluff with fork, set aside

Directions for Pesto Pasta

• Boil noodles per package directions, drain
• Over low heat, mix in the Pesto mixture
• Add grape tomatoes
• Add cooked corn
• Toss and serve
• Squeeze a little lemon over the top and drizzle with Nut Cheese and top with a few leaves of fresh basil

Author: Phoebe Chongchua

Calories: 506.52kcal

Nutrition

Calories: 506.52kcal | Carbohydrates: 39.45g | Protein: 13.52g | Fat: 35.82g | Sodium: 185.19mg | Potassium: 575.24mg | Fiber: 3.59g | Sugar: 5.91g | Vitamin A: 118.19IU | Vitamin C: 11.88mg | Calcium: 44.19mg | Iron: 4.61mg