Dairy-Free Pesto Spaghetti

Enjoy a vibrant twist on a classic Italian favorite with our Dairy-Free Pesto Spaghetti! This wholesome recipe swaps traditional Parmesan for nutrient-rich nutritional yeast, delivering a creamy, cheesy flavor that’s entirely plant-based. Fresh basil, toasted pine nuts, garlic, and a splash of zesty lemon juice come together to create a luscious pesto sauce, while silky olive oil ensures a creamy, velvety texture. Perfectly al dente spaghetti (gluten-free if preferred) is tossed in this fragrant sauce, ensuring every strand is bursting with bold, herbaceous flavors. Ready in just 30 minutes, this quick and easy dish is ideal for weeknight dinners yet elegant enough for entertaining. Garnish with extra basil or pine nuts for a stunning presentation and enjoy a guilt-free, dairy-free indulgence that’ll wow your taste buds!

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 g spaghetti (gluten-free if desired)
• 2 cups fresh basil leaves
• 1/3 cup pine nuts
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup water

Directions

Step 1

Fill a large pot with water and add a pinch of salt. Bring it to a boil over high heat.

Step 2

Add the spaghetti to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. This usually takes about 9-11 minutes.

Step 3

While the spaghetti is cooking, prepare the dairy-free pesto. In a food processor, combine basil leaves, pine nuts, peeled garlic cloves, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and a little bit of salt.

Step 4

Pulse the ingredients until they are finely chopped.

Step 5

With the food processor running, gradually add the olive oil in a steady stream. Continue processing until the mixture is smooth and emulsified.

Step 6

Adjust the consistency by adding up to 1/4 cup of water, a little at a time, until you reach your desired thickness. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.

Step 7

Once the spaghetti is cooked, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the spaghetti and return it to the pot.

Step 8

Add the dairy-free pesto to the spaghetti in the pot. Toss the pasta well to ensure the pesto coats every strand.

Step 9

If the pesto is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up and create a creamy sauce.

Step 10

Serve the Dairy-Free Pesto Spaghetti hot, garnished with extra basil leaves or pine nuts if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(699.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1991.2

Total Fat 146.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 20.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 26.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2374.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 137.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 11.6g	0%
Total Sugars 5.2g
Protein 33.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 113.5mg	0%
Iron 9.5mg	0%
Potassium 736.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 65.9%

Protein: 6.7%

Carbs: 27.4%