Ever since my man planted us a backyard garden, we have had an insane amount of basil. I mean, this basil could take over our backyard at any given moment. I’ve made caprese salads, added it to smoothies, added it to chicken, and yet there is still SO.MUCH.BASIL. Which of course means it’s time to make pesto. 

Pesto is great for making large batches, you can even freeze it for later use. I love adding it to cooked pasta (see below), baked salmon, roasted veggies, salads, and toast. It’s packed with healthy fats and vitamins for a super delicious & super nutritious treat!

Delicious Homemade Vegan Pesto (+ Pasta!)

Print Recipe

This delicious homemade vegan pesto is packed with healthy fats (walnuts, hemp seeds), vitamin B12-rich nutritional yeast, and fiber-packed basil and kale. A true superfood pesto! Add to salads, toast, pasta (See below) or baked salmon.

• Author: Caroline

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

2 cups packed basil

handful fresh kale

4–5 TBSP olive oil

1/4 cup homemade vegan parmesan** (can sub regular parmesan)

1/4 cup walnuts

1 TBSP fresh lemon juice (or 1/2 lemon, squeezed)

1/8 cup hemp seeds

2 garlic cloves

sea salt & pepper, to taste

Instructions

Add all ingredients except the olive oil to a food processor and blend on high for 1-2 minutes.

Add in olive oil slowly while processing until desired consistency is reached.

Notes

**To make Vegan Parmesan Cheese, simply blend together 1 cup raw cashews, 1/4 cup nutritional yeast, 1 tsp sea salt, and 1 tsp garlic powder in a food processor and blend until mixture is fine and resembles parmesan cheese. Store in an airtight container such as a mason jar and add to any and all dishes for an extra vegan “cheesy” taste!

My personal favorite way to use this pesto? Simply melted into a fresh batch of pasta 🙂

To make:  cook your favorite pasta according to package directions and once finished cooking, add a few tablespoons and swirl to combine. Great for meal prepping! Top with your favorite extra vegetables and protein for a complete balanced meal.

I added extra basil, tomatoes, and my “Perfect Crispy Tofu Nuggets” to some brown rice penne I had in the pantry – so delicious! An easy meal in under 20 minutes with plenty of leftovers to take for lunch.

Nothing hits the spot after a long day then some pasta. I chose a whole grain version (a little gentle nutrition), added this yummy pesto, and topped with extra vegetables. Add some protein such as chicken or tofu for a complete meal!

Hope you enjoy this delicious vegan pesto!