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.






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 can easily be doubled as well. Give it a go!


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.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (75g) fresh parsley
- 1 cup (40g) fresh spinach
- Heaping ⅓ cup (50g) raw walnut halves
- ½ tsp sea salt
- 1 clove garlic peeled
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- 350 g Rigatoni pasta uncooked
Instructions
- 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.
Cook pasta as per package directions, drain and then place back in the cooking pot. Stir in the pesto and serve.
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You can make this for me anytime xo
Anytime xo
This is exactly the kind of pasta bowl I could fall in love with. Simple and beautiful!
I’m so glad you like it, Karen 🙂 Let me know if you give it a try!
Oh my word. This is so delicious! I am enjoying it at this very moment. Thank you!
Ah, you are so welcome! I’m so happy to hear that you love it, Amy 🙂
Dear Heidi
This awesome recipe was chosen to be featured on my blog with your permission–I loved your recipe for Rigatoni with Parsley Walnut Pesto! Stay tuned for publishing info!
Thank you so much, Heidy!
great recipe altogether, you simply gained a brand new reader.