Dairy-Free Pesto Tortellini

Say hello to your new favorite weeknight dinner: Dairy-Free Pesto Tortellini! This vibrant, plant-based pasta dish combines tender, dairy-free tortellini with a silky homemade pesto bursting with fresh basil, pine nuts, and a subtle cheesy flavor from nutritional yeast. A squeeze of lemon adds brightness, while optional add-ins like cherry tomatoes and baby spinach bring a pop of color and extra nutrients. Ready in just 25 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy schedules but doesn’t skimp on flavor. Whether you’re vegan, lactose-intolerant, or simply seeking a lighter twist on a classic, this dish delivers satisfying comfort food without the dairy—ideal for an easy weeknight meal or any special occasion!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 ounces Dairy-free tortellini
• 1.5 cups Fresh basil leaves
• 0.25 cup Pine nuts
• 2 pieces Garlic cloves
• 3 tablespoons Nutritional yeast
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 0.5 cup Olive oil
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 cup Cherry tomatoes (optional)
• 2 cups Baby spinach (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the dairy-free tortellini and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the tortellini and set aside.

Step 2

While the tortellini cooks, prepare the dairy-free pesto. In a food processor, combine the fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic cloves, nutritional yeast, and lemon juice. Pulse until the ingredients are coarsely chopped.

Step 3

With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

Step 4

Season the pesto with salt and black pepper, to taste. Adjust seasonings if necessary.

Step 5

If using, halve the cherry tomatoes and roughly chop the baby spinach.

Step 6

In a large bowl, combine the cooked tortellini with the pesto sauce, tossing to coat evenly.

Step 7

If incorporating cherry tomatoes and spinach, gently fold them into the pasta until evenly distributed.

Step 8

Serve the Dairy-Free Pesto Tortellini immediately, garnished with additional basil leaves or pine nuts if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(884.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2236.3

Total Fat 153.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 22.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 22.1g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2666.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 164.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.0g	0%
Total Sugars 14.4g
Protein 47.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 267.3mg	0%
Iron 15.5mg	0%
Potassium 2313.0mg	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: 61.9%

Protein: 8.6%

Carbs: 29.5%