Vegetarian Pesto Pasta Recipe

User Reviews

4.5

75 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    5 mins

  • Cook Time

    5 mins

  • Total Time

    30 mins

  • Servings

    2 large servings

  • Calories

    722 kcal

  • Course

    Main Course

  • Cuisine

    Italian

Vegetarian Pesto Pasta Recipe

Create a weeknight wonder in just 30 minutes with our Vegetarian Pesto Pasta, a harmonious blend of tender beans, filling pasta, and zesty pesto, prepared in a flash.

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 1 small yellow onion peeled and roughly chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic peeled
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 6 ounces orecchiette pasta
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 1 14-ounce can cannellini white beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 tablespoon salted butter
  • 1/2 cup rosemary arugula pesto
  • Crusty bread and fresh arugula for serving optional
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Instructions

  1. Set a large pot of water on the stove and bring it to a boil.
  2. Meanwhile, place the onion and garlic in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until pureed.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large pan set over medium heat. Add the onion-garlic puree along with the red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onions have softened and lost their bite; about 8 to 10 minutes.
  4. Meanwhile, add the pasta to the boiling water and cook 1 or 2 minutes shy of al dente according to package directions (until there is just the slightest bite left in the center).
  5. When the pasta is nearly done cooking, add the tomato paste and beans to the onion-garlic mixture. Strain the pasta, reserving one cup of cooking water. Add half of the reserved cooking water to the tomato-onion mixture and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until well combined and slightly reduced.
  6. Add the butter and drained almost al dente pasta to the pan and toss well. Add enough of the remaining half cup of pasta cooking water to mostly submerge the pasta. Cook until the pasta is tender and the sauce is very thick, another 2 to 3 minutes.
  7. Stir half of the pesto sauce into the pasta; taste and add salt as desired. Serve hot, with crusty bread and fresh arugula (optional). Lastly, garnish with the remaining pesto.

Notes

  • While this recipe makes 2 large servings, you can also use it to make 4 small servings.
  • Store White Bean Pesto Pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Although freezing is possible, the texture of the pasta may become softer upon thawing.
  • For reheating, gently warm the pasta over medium heat in a saucepan, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce if necessary. Alternatively, you can reheat it in the microwave, covered, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Serving 1serving Calories 722kcal (36%) Carbohydrates 81g (27%) Protein 16g (32%) Fat 37g (57%) Saturated Fat 9g (45%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 7g Trans Fat 0.2g Cholesterol 20mg (7%) Sodium 893mg (37%) Potassium 621mg (18%) Fiber 6g (24%) Sugar 11g (22%) Vitamin A 1963IU (39%) Vitamin C 12mg (13%) Calcium 150mg (15%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 2large servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 722 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 722kcal 36%
Carbohydrates 81g 27%
Protein 16g 32%
Fat 37g 57%
Saturated Fat 9g 45%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 7g 35%
Trans Fat 0.2g 10%
Cholesterol 20mg 7%
Sodium 893mg 37%
Potassium 621mg 13%
Fiber 6g 24%
Sugar 11g 22%
Vitamin A 1963IU 39%
Vitamin C 12mg 13%
Calcium 150mg 15%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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Overall Rating

4.5

75 reviews
Excellent

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