This fresh summer pasta salad is as perfect for backyard parties as it is for work lunches. Blend up a homemade pesto with basil, pine nuts, zesty lemon and quality olive oil. Mix it with corkscrew-shaped fusilli that holds the pesto in its ridges so each bite brings the flavor. Finish with crumbles of creamy cashew cream cheese or tangy vegan feta for a craveable dish you’ll make again and again.

Vegan Pesto Pasta Salad (Gluten-Free)
			 Prep Time 15 minutes		
						
			 Cook Time 10 minutes		
								
			 Total Time 25 minutes		
			
			 Servings 4 
		
						
			 Calories 226 kcal
		
						
			Ingredients
- 1 pkg. gluten-free fusilli
 - 2 Tbsp. olive oil
 
Pesto
- 3/4 cup fresh basil
 - 1/3 cup pine nuts
 - Squeeze fresh lemon
 - 1/4 tsp. salt
 - 1/4 tsp. black pepper
 - 1 clove garlic
 - 2 Tbsp. olive oil
 - 1 Tbsp. nutritional yeast
 
Garnish
- Fresh basil
 - 1/4 red pepper diced
 - Cashew cream cheese or vegan feta
 
Instructions
- 
										In large pot, cook pasta per package instructions. Drain and set aside in pot.
 - 
										In blender, blend all pesto ingredients. (Note: Leave some chunks or make it smooth, according to preference. Use mortar and pestle if you prefer.)
 - 
										To pasta in pot, add 2 tablespoons olive oil and toss well. Add pesto and stir until well combined.
 - 
										Add garnishes when serving.
 
Nutrition Facts
	Vegan Pesto Pasta Salad (Gluten-Free)
	
	
					Amount Per Serving						
	
		Calories 226
				Calories from Fat 207
			
		
	
		% Daily Value*
	
	Fat 23g35%
Saturated Fat 3g15%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5g
Monounsaturated Fat 13g
Sodium 121mg5%
Potassium 177mg5%
Carbohydrates 4g1%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 4g8%
			
	Vitamin A 475IU10%
Vitamin C 11mg13%
Calcium 13mg1%
Iron 1mg6%
		* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

