Protein Packed Pesto Pasta

pasta recipe
Spiral pesto pasta in a white bowl with a wooden spoon

Protein.

Packed.

Pesto.

Pasta.

PRONTO.

 

Set a timer, this will take all of 20 minutes & you will be so proud of yourself for the culinary creation in front of you!

 
 
 

A couple of things about chickpea pasta:

  • Chickpea pasta has more fiber, slightly less carbohydrates and MORE protein than normal pasta.

  • The best kind of chickpea pasta are the ones with ONE ingredient: chickpeas. (Rather than added gums and fillers.)

  • It is more finicky than normal pasta, meaning you are going to want to follow the cook time to a T! The pasta will make the water pretty murky & it may have a white film on top, this is normal! Just strain and rinse it!

  • Enjoy chickpea pasta immediately. Because it is so rich in fiber, it will taste awesome day 1 & maayyybe day 2, but can harden if left too long.

 

 

ingredients 

  • 1/2 cup cashews
  • 1/2 cup basil (2 handfuls)
  • 3-4 cloves garlic (or 1- 2 tbsp minced)
  • 1/4-1/3 cup olive oil 
  • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
  • juice of 1 lemon
  • salt & pepper
 
 

instructions 

  1. Boil cashews for 5-10 minutes. This softens them.

  2. Add drained cashews, basil, garlic, olive oil, nutritional yeast, lemon, and salt and pepper to a food processor. Blend.

  3. Prepare chickpea pasta according to instructions.

  4. Mix together pasta and pesto, and enjoy immediately! (like I said, best within 24 hours.)

 

Let me know if you make this!