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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
5 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 2 people
Calories: 465 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American , Vegan

Ingredients

  • 1 cup penne cooked according to instructions
  • 7-8 asparagus spears halved
  • 1/2 red bell pepper sliced into rings
  • 2 garlic cloves chopped
  • 1 teaspoon canola oil
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • chopped tomatoes for garnish
For the basil cashew pesto
  • 2 cups fresh basil
  • 1/2 cup raw cashew
  • olive oil
  • 3 cloves of garlic
  • 1 green chili or dried red chili pepper (we like a bit of spice)
  • salt to taste

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. For the pesto, wash the basil and add to blender and blend for a minute
  2. 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.
  3. Add in the cashews and let cook for another minute or 2.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Add in the garlic and red bell pepper rings and olive oil and saute for another 3-4 minutes.
  7. Add in the cooked penne or any pasta of choice and pesto and mix well.
  8. Adjust for salt and pepper. We needed just a teeny bit of salt.
  9. Let cook for a minute.
  10. Serve hot topped with fresh chopped tomatoes!

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 (17%) Fiber 5g (20%) Sugar 6g (12%) Vitamin A 2620IU (52%) Vitamin C 50.5mg (56%) Calcium 93mg (9%) Iron 5mg (28%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 2people

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.