Rigatoni with Parsley Walnut Pesto [vegan]

This vegan parsley walnut pesto pasta is simple to make and full or super fresh flavours. Parsley, spinach and walnuts add an earthy depth of flavour and loads of nutrition. You can double the recipe and freeze half for garden fresh flavour all winter.

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Autumn has arrived and it with, cooler weather, warm sweaters and cozy meals.  In the garden, several plants are being cleared to make room for  fall and winter crops which, in turn, will also give the early autumn plants some room for the remainder of the season…not that there is much room back there.

Last year we nurtured a second hand parsley plant which didn’t fair so well after transplanting. It eventually died and became compost.  Anyway, this year we were surprised by several patches of volunteer parsley popping up here and there thanks to last years sacrifice.

Parsley is doing very well, needless to say, and it has filled up almost every gap in the beds! No complaints though, I love the stuff and Connor loves having free reign to pluck as much as he wants.

Vegan Parsley Walnut Pesto

Given the amount of ‘garnish’ we have floating about, it seems appropriate to share this recipe for my vegan parsley walnut pesto . Really, parsley deserves more credit than ‘garnish status’ – it’s the epitome of fresh taste, plus it’s very nutritious.

I love to prominently feature parsley in salads, smoothies and in this case, pesto…slathered over rigatoni noodles (my favourite).  Walnuts add a soft earthly flavour and omega threes to this recipe, and fresh spinach adds a little extra nutrition to this already super green savory toss. This take on traditional pesto, contains nutritional yeast in place of the Parmesan to give that robust cheese flavour. You’ll love it.

This vegan parsley walnut pesto doubles and freezes well. Give it a go!

5 from 4 votes

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Rigatoni with Parsley Walnut Pesto [vegan]

This vegan parsley walnut pesto is slathered onto rigatoni noodles for a simple meal full or super fresh flavours. Walnuts and spinach add an earthy depth of flavour. You can double the recipe and freeze half for garden fresh flavour all winter.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Italian

Keyword parsley, Pasta, pesto, vegan

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Servings 4 people

Calories 651 kcal

Author Heidi Richter

Ingredients

• 2 cups (75g) fresh parsley
• 1 cup (40g) fresh spinach
• Heaping 1/3 cup (50g) raw walnut halves
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1 clove garlic peeled
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
• 350 g Rigatoni pasta uncooked

Instructions

1. In a food processor, or high speed blender, combine all ingredients except the pasta, and blend on high until well combined and the mixture reaches a fairly smooth puree. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides to ensure everything is incorporated evenly.

2. Cook pasta as per package directions, drain and then place back in the cooking pot. Stir in the pesto and serve.
   

Recipe Notes

You can double the amount of pesto and freeze it for later use. Alternatively, you can make the pesto a day of head of time- place it in a bowl then top with a thin layer of olive oil. Cover and store in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.  Any type of pasta can be used with this recipe.

Nutrition Facts

Rigatoni with Parsley Walnut Pesto [vegan]

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 651 Calories from Fat 315

% Daily Value*

Fat 35g54%

Saturated Fat 5g31%

Sodium 320mg14%

Potassium 501mg14%

Carbohydrates 70g23%

Fiber 5g21%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 15g30%

Vitamin A 3230IU65%

Vitamin C 42mg51%

Calcium 77mg8%

Iron 4mg22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. This is an approximation of the nutrition offered in this recipe, and is created using a nutrition calculator. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee accuracy. If your health depends on nutrition information, please calculate again with your preferred calculator.

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