High-Protein Pesto Pasta

Elevate your pasta game with the 3 P's - protein pesto pasta - courtesy of Pastabilities! Bursting with fresh basil, aromatic garlic, nutty Parmesan cheese, and of course, protein, you've got pasta perfection in no time. Presto, pesto! 

High-Protein

Ingredients:

Water (for boiling)

Salt (for seasoning water)

1 package Pastabilities High Protein Pasta Penne

For The Pesto Sauce:

2/3 cup raw cashews

2/3 cup water

1 cup tightly packed fresh basil, large stems removed

2 cups loosely packed fresh spinach

1 large clove garlic, peeled

1 ½ Tbsp lemon juice

1 Tbsp nutritional yeast

1/2 tsp sea salt

For serving:

Parmesan Cheese

Sun Dried tomatoes

Freshly chopped basil

Directions:

1. To a high-speed blender, add cashews, water, basil, spinach, garlic, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, and salt. Blend on high until smooth and no bits of cashew remain — about 1 minute. Taste and adjust as needed, adding more lemon juice for brightness, cashews for richness, nutritional yeast for savory notes, or salt to taste.
2. Make your pasta according to directions on the package. When it’s ready, drain the pasta and rinse under cold water until it’s warm but no longer steaming. Return the pasta to the pot (off the heat) and add in the basil pesto sauce. Stir to coat, but avoid heating as the sauce will lose its bright green color.
3. Divide between serving bowls and garnish with sun dried tomatoes, vegan parmesan cheese, and freshly chopped basil (all optional).