Description
A vibrant and flavorful vegan pasta dish featuring sun-dried tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, pine nuts, and nutritional yeast, tossed with spaghetti and finished with fresh basil. This recipe is perfect for a quick, satisfying, and healthy dinner with Mediterranean-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz (340g) spaghetti or pasta of choice
Sauce and Toppings
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil (reserve oil)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the spaghetti or pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1 cup of the pasta cooking water for later use.
- Sauté Garlic and Spices: In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Toast Pine Nuts and Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Add the sun-dried tomatoes along with some of their reserved oil and pine nuts to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally to allow the pine nuts to toast slightly and the tomatoes to infuse their flavor.
- Cook Cherry Tomatoes: Stir in the halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes until they begin to soften, releasing juices and blending into the sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, gently tossing to combine all ingredients. If the sauce seems too dry, gradually add reserved pasta cooking water until the desired consistency is achieved.
- Add Flavor Enhancers: Stir in the nutritional yeast and lemon juice. Season the pasta with salt and pepper according to your taste preferences.
- Garnish: Remove the skillet from heat and top the pasta with fresh basil leaves for a burst of fresh herbal aroma.
- Serve: Serve the Vegan Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta immediately to enjoy its vibrant flavors and textures at their best.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta cooking water to adjust the sauce consistency.
- Red pepper flakes are optional and can be adjusted for heat tolerance.
- Use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for best flavor and texture.
- Toast pine nuts carefully to avoid burning and to enhance their nuttiness.
- This pasta is best served fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
