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Penne with Basil Cashew Pesto, Asparagus and Red Bell Pepper
A super easy penne pasta dish made with basil cashew pesto, asparagus and red bell pepper. A great, quick meal for weeknights. Vegan Recipe.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings:
2
people
Calories:
465 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American, Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 cup penne pasta cooked according to instructions
- 7-8 asparagus halved, spears
- 1/2 red bell pepper sliced into rings
- 2 garlic cloves chopped
- 1 teaspoon canola oil
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- tomato for garnish, chopped
For the basil cashew pesto
- 2 cups basil fresh
- 1/2 cup cashew raw
- olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 green chili we like a bit of spice, or dried red chili pepper
- salt to taste
Instructions
- For the pesto, wash the basil and add to blender and blend for a minute
- In a small pan, add a tablespoon of olive oil. Keep at low heat and add garlic cloves and green chili. Let cook for a minute.
- Add in the cashews and let cook for another minute or 2.
- Add this mixture to the blender and blend. Keep adding olive oil to get a smooth paste. My blender always gets me a coarse paste, so I added a little water as well, since I was going to use up the pesto within the week, or freeze it in ice cubes! Adjust chilis, garlic and basil by taste. This pesto is very forgiving, so play with it!. For basil mint pesto, I use about half cup mint.
- In a large pan, add regular oil and the halved/sliced asparagus(for quicker cooking) and saute for 5-8 minutes on medium low heat.
- Add in the garlic and red bell pepper rings and olive oil and saute for another 3-4 minutes.
- Add in the cooked penne or any pasta of choice and pesto and mix well.
- Adjust for salt and pepper. We needed just a teeny bit of salt.
- Let cook for a minute.
- Serve hot topped with fresh chopped tomatoes!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Nutritional value is based on 1 serving
Nutrition Information
Calories
465kcal
(23%)
Carbohydrates
60g
(20%)
Protein
15g
(30%)
Fat
19g
(29%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Sodium
86mg
(4%)
Potassium
603mg
(13%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
6g
(12%)
Vitamin A
2620IU
(52%)
Vitamin C
50.5mg
(56%)
Calcium
93mg
(9%)
Iron
5mg
(28%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 2 people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 465
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 465kcal | 23% |
| Carbohydrates | 60g | 20% |
| Protein | 15g | 30% |
| Fat | 19g | 29% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Sodium | 86mg | 4% |
| Potassium | 603mg | 13% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 2620IU | 52% |
| Vitamin C | 50.5mg | 56% |
| Calcium | 93mg | 9% |
| Iron | 5mg | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.