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Once you’ve cooked your chickpea pasta to al dente perfection, it’s time to bring all the elements together. The key to a delicious dish lies in how well you combine the ingredients, ensuring that each bite is bursting with flavor.

Creamy Pesto Chickpea Pasta

Discover the joy of creamy pesto chickpea pasta, a nutritious and delicious meal that caters to a variety of dietary preferences. This vibrant dish combines whole wheat pasta, protein-packed chickpeas, and rich, fresh basil pesto, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s not just quick but also packed with health benefits. Explore how to prepare this satisfying dish that promises flavor and nourishment in every bite. Elevate your plant-based cooking with this delightful recipe!
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Ingredients
  

8 oz whole wheat pasta (fusilli or penne works great)

1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1 cup fresh basil leaves

1/2 cup raw walnuts (or pine nuts)

1/4 cup nutritional yeast

1/2 cup olive oil

3 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 lemon, juiced

1/2 cup coconut cream (or heavy cream for non-vegan option)

Salt and pepper, to taste

Cherry tomatoes, halved (for garnish)

Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Instructions
 

Cook the Pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the whole wheat pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.

    Prepare the Pesto: In a food processor, combine fresh basil leaves, walnuts, nutritional yeast, olive oil, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, you can add a bit of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

      Creamy Mixture: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the chickpeas and coconut cream. Stir until warmed through and creamy. You can lightly mash some of the chickpeas with a fork to create a coarser texture, which adds some bite.

        Combine: Add the cooked pasta to the saucepan with the chickpeas and creamy mixture. Pour in the pesto and toss everything until well combined. If necessary, add a little more reserved pasta water to achieve your preferred creaminess.

          Serve: Plate the pasta and garnish with halved cherry tomatoes, a drizzle of olive oil, and fresh basil leaves. Add additional salt and pepper if needed.

            Enjoy: Serve immediately while hot and creamy!

              Prep Time, Total Time, Servings:

                15 minutes | 30 minutes | 4 servings