Basil Pesto Pasta (Vegan)

Today's recipe is Pasta with pesto, made with freshly picked basil leaves. My hubby has a green thumb and we have some plants in our balcony and Basil is also one among them. This weekend I wanted to cook something simple and yet delicious, so made this pasta. Though it was so easy to prepare,it was so flavorful, kids just loved it. 

Basil Pesto

Basil Pesto

Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart

What are the ingredients needed?

Basil leaves, 3 cups
Almonds, 1/4 cup
Garlic, 3-4 cloves
Ground pepper, 1 teaspoon (adjust as per your preference)
Olive oil, 1/4 cup
Salt, as needed

How it is made?

1. In a blender, first pulse the almonds.
2. Then add garlic and pulse. Then add the basil leaves, ground pepper and salt and pulse till it is a coarse paste.
3. Then add olive oil and run till it is smooth.

Basil Pesto Pasta

Basil Pesto Pasta

What are the ingredients needed?

Pasta, 1 lb
Olive oil, water and salt, as needed for the pasta.
Basil Pesto, from the above

Pasta made with Basil Pesto

How it is made?

1. Cook Pasta as per package instructions. Don't forget to add salt and olive oil to the pasta water, so that the pasta catches flavor and doesn't stick to one another.
2. Once the pasta is cooked, drain the excess water and return it to the pan, add the pesto, mix well and serve.

Notes:

• In the pesto, instead of almonds, you can use walnuts too. 
• Usually pesto has cheese in it , but since this is the vegan  version, I skipped it, if you prefer you can add some parmesan cheese.
• I used medium shell pasta here, you can use other varieties of pasta too.
• Adjust the amount of pesto as per your preference.
• This pesto can also be used for making pizza( If interested check  Basil Pesto Pizza), or as a spread for sandwich.