Today, I’m sharing a vegan recipe for gluten and nut-free pesto penne. This dish is great midweek and my kids adore it too!
Ingredients
- 1/2 jar sun-dried tomatoes
- 100g/4oz gluten-free penne pasta (we like Doves Farm) per person
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 packet of fresh basil leaves
- a handful of green olives
- a handful of baby tomatoes
Method:
Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water with a drizzle of olive oil until tender but al dente, cooking for 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid. . Bring a large pan of water and a little salt to a rolling boil. Simmer and stir occasionally.
Boil for 5 minutes then carefully taste the pasta every minute until it is ‘al dente’. Drain and serve immediately.
Meanwhile, blend the sun-dried tomatoes and the oil, garlic, salt and pepper and basil in a food processor and blend.
Add the pasta to the pesto and toss, covering it in the sauce. Add the olives and baby tomatoes and drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and serve.
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It looks so delicious and amazingly easy to make.. I’m going to add it to my list of dishes to make during the month. I’m always looking for recipes that would be very fast to make because when I come from work I have no energy to cook!
Thank you!
[…] Honest Mum’s Tasty Tuesdays […]
That looks delicious! Not sure i could go completely vegan though lol x
It lasted for 4 weeks Stacey, enjoyed it while it did but back to meat now x
Looking so delicious, gorgeous food as always! I always love pesto penne. You make me hungry!
Thanks darling, wish I had it to eat today x
It really sounds like I should try going vegan! The pasta looks amazing too.
I’m really enjoying it Lucy x
This looks delicious! I’m glad veganism is suiting you so well. I’m vegetarian but I’m not sure if I could cope with going vegan – well done lovely lady!
Thanks Ali, only 3 weeks so far but I’m loving it 🙂
This looks so delicious! Literally made my mouth water. Now I’m hungry. Thank you for hosting!! #TastyTuesdays
I’d be so tempted to bung a handful of bacon in! Looks delicious. Although I could do with some of the energy you talk about so maybe not….
This does look delicious… although I’d be so tempted to bung some bacon in. Naughty! But reading about how energised you feel? I could do with some of that….
I’m so pleased that this vegan journey is having such positive results for you. I think there’s so much value in finding an awareness in what we eat.
I love this and thank you thank you for suggesting olives as the nut and cheese ‘replacements’ in the pesto – I’ve been using ground pine kernels but as one of us needs it to be garlic free too, it was tasting a bit bland! Will definitely make this x
Yay so pleased you like this lovely, thank you 🙂
I’m really enjoying following your vegan journey. I’d love to become vegan myself but i’m not sure I have the commitment. Will definitely try this recipe though.
thanks for hosting. xx
Thanks Leandra, finding it really easy and delicious too x
The penne looks tasty. I’m bookmarking the page and making it soon.
Oh fab, thanks Jen. Enjoy 🙂
Hello Vicky! It was lovely meeting you at Britmums. I have voted for you, all the best!! xx
Thanks so much Alida, fab meeting you too x
The best thing about being vegan is eating such plentiful amounts of food. I mean you only eat plants, you need a lot of them to keep your body happy and nourished. I’m so happy to hear you are loving your vegan journey
I am so happy eating this way Alyce, I’ve never felt happier x
We are what we eat, so a change in diet can bring enormous change in your life 🙂 I hope you keep up with it xx
Thanks Joanna, finding it suits me so hope I will x
It’s great to read such a positive post about going vegan, like a few of the other commenters above, you’ve got me musing upon the idea of trying it myself! We eat a lot of vegetarian food anyway and my husband is dairy free, how hard could it be, right?! Gorgeous looking recipe as always too 🙂
Oh Grace, I honestly feel euphoric eating this way, kind of like it’s the best kept secret (sort of), energy is limitless and I just feel so alive. Corny I know but it’s the truth. Why don’t you try it for a few weeks, the first few days were a little tough and my body had to adapt but after that I started to reap the benefits. I’ll be sharing lots more vegan recipes too 🙂
Great linky and a great pasta dish Thanks for hosting 😀
Thanks very much Richard!
So excited for you and your vegan journey! It was the best thing I ever did, and yes carbs get given a really bad name which is unfair as they’re not all bad! Have you checked out Dr McDougall? He is amazing and has tons of advice for vegan diet 🙂
Thanks ellie, no not checked him out but will now, thanks so much and so cool you’re vegan too 🙂
This is fab! I am a part time veggie, and I love new recipes, and your story of going vegan for 8 days is inspiring. I am glad it is having such a positive impact on your life
Really love the look of this pasta, it looks so fresh and inviting and there’s so much to be said for cutting out all the naughty foods that we’re so accustomed to eating. Looking forward to more vegan posts X
Thanks darling, there really is isn’t they, I’m really embracing the plant life xx
Check out ‘My New Roots’ the website and the cookbook, she has some lovely vegan recipes and she comes up with some amazing creations. I’ve tried a few of her recipes now and they’ve been really good! I couldn’t do vegan all the time, but I do love some of the amazing vegan recipes I’ve found and tried.
I used to use gluten free pasta for some of the kids where I used to work, I think we must of had a rubbish brand as it never cooked very well at all, this penne and pesto recipe looks really good!
I’ve seen that one and loved it, I want to buy her cookbook. I really am feeling good, we like Doves Farm, have you tried them?
I’ll give them a go, I use doves flour a lot and when I used to bake gluten free stuff for work I used Doves and they were really good, though gluten free pastry is a nightmare! I hear they sell a fairly natural ready made version in Tesco now…I will investigate 🙂
Oh I’ve not tried the pastry but will look out for the ready made version, really impressed with the quality of their products and Delicious Alchemy too who I’ve worked with recently.
Yay! Well done Vicki! I have to say you looked flippin amazing at Britmum’s! I had no idea you were doing a vegan detox…fantastic! I was vege for a long long time and I still love vegetarian food. This pasta looks fabulous!
Thanks Vicki, felt exactly the same about you and it was so good chatting. I really love it so who knows, maybe it might be the way I eat from now on, thanks for your lovely words x
I make pesto all the time and am intrigued to see a vegan version. I guess it’s interesting enough without the cheese?
It really is to me, hope you like it x
I can’t believe how much better you feel going vegan. I certainly could do with sleeping better, becoming calmer and looking fresher / younger…..maybe I need to give this a try (but I love my meat, eggs and cheese too much) Thanks for hosting #tastytuesdayS!
Maybe try to integrate it more into your diet, really am feeling awesome 🙂
Sounds like you’ve really taken to Veganism. Initially I think it sounds so challenging but with this recipe you’ve shown that there can be more to it than just salad & nuts (Ok, slight exaggeration, but you know what I mean!)
The recipe looks fab, btw, and I like the really bright, summer photography
Haha I’m eating lots of varied dishes and Ella of Deliciously Ella has tonnes on her site too xx
I’ve never really considered veganism before but you certainly make a good case for it, and that recipe looks delicious! It’s great to find an eating plan that makes you feel revitalised, so I’m going to look into vegan eating a little more. Thanks for the post and inspiration! x
It really has helped me feel amazing, can’t recommend it enough xx
I have to be honest – in the past I’ve always thought people who hung out in health food shops looked miserable, but seeing you glowing on Saturday and my friend Sharda who is guest posting about life as a vegan family who always looks so full of vitality may possibly be changing my mind! Yummy recipe hon, look forward to hearing more xx
Aw thanks lady, do you know I’ve never felt happier, it’s crazy really as I used to love meat, it’s like I’ve found the ‘one’ when it comes to food! Off to read the guest post now. You looked incredible girl, I wish you could be my yoga trainer 🙂 xx
Wow sounds like it’s going really well! And this looks delicious! I suddenly got really hungry looking at that.. Will definitely give that a go xx
Thanks Emma, it really is, feeling so good, hope you enjoy it xx
This recipe looks yummy! I’m already a vegetarian and thibking about trying a vegan detox too. I’ll be watching yours and think I might try when I’m back from holiday. K x
Ooh think you’ll love it and probably won’t find it too different to the way you already eat bar the dairy. I eat a lot of coconut/rice dairy alternatives and haven’t missed it xx
Really impressed with your change of diet Vicki, and how you’ve stuck with it. It’s amazing that old saying “you are what you eat” is so true. I need to clean my diet up, so I’ll be taking some inspiration. The pasta dish looks scrummy!
Angela x
Thanks Angela, really am feeling so good eating this way xx
I read your blog anyway but I shall becoming back even more now for recipes as we started “clean eating” last month, which many vegan recipes for with. It looks super yummy x
That’s so kind lovely, lots more on their way xx
I was just thinking I need to look for a nut free, dairy free pesto so that’s great. Glad the vegan diet is working out so well for you.
Yay how cool is that, thanks lovely 🙂
My husband would love this – will be giving it a go x
Thanks Louise, enjoy xx
I love pesto – it’s so versatile! I have it on puff pastry, pizza and jacket potatoes. I’m a bit obsessed with it in fact x
Oh yum, now I want it on all of that xx
This looks soooooo good! Perfect for lunch time as it (seems) so quick to make! Yum!
#TastyTuesdays
It was so quick Becky xx
This looks right up our street. M loves pesto and tomatoes so this would be a hit in our house! YUM #tastytuesdays
So pleased you like it Sophie x
I really loved reading this post – my parter and I have decided to go vegan for the month of Augst and have heard so many people say that it fills them with energy and they have never felt better! We’re working our way there now but trying new recipes and so on! xx
I’ve never felt more energised or happier Chantal, think you guys will love it xx
Interesting and will try the recipe as I hate normal pesto with a passion as I don’t like nuts. I have mainly cut meat from my diet and eating lots of good carbs and find that works for me on the weight loss front. Glad it is making you feel better
That sounds brilliant Kate, you look fab. So happy you like the recipe too 🙂
Oh this looks tasty! I’ve gone off meat with this pregnancy so I’m always on the look out for veggie/vegan recipes. Definitely one to try out, thanks. x
I was exactly the same with both my pregnancies too, couldn’t eat meat or fish, so glad you’ll be making this x
It sounds like it’s really suiting you! I definitely love meat and fish too much to try a vegan diet, but I do like eating vegetarian food a couple of times a week. Have a fab time in Portugal – we’re out there at the end of July, can’t wait!!
Thanks Sally, I was saying just that to my Mum the other day, who is following what I eat but just for a few days. We love Portugal!
it is true what they say, you are what you eat. pleased you are reaping the benefits. x
Thanks Jenny, so true 🙂 x
Looks lovely. Glad your vegan diet is doing you good. I don’t think I personally like enough veg to drop the meat
Not for everyone but I’m really enjoying it so far 🙂
Pasta recipe sounds lovely but not sure the kids would eat which always makes it less fun cooking for one.
You could try it with them, I tend to make the pesto separately as oldest doesn’t like sauces but youngest does.
Thanks for this – the pasta looks delicious. We are very nearly sorted with a kitchen! Once we unpack our kitchen stuff I can’t wait to do more cooking and sharing of recipes. You are almost convincing me to try out a vegan diet – I never thought I would hear myself utter those words! 🙂
Haha, do it Nomita, even for a week, I honestly feel so much more energised than before 🙂
So impressive, day 8! I think by day 3 I’d go on a carb loading craze. But hearing you’ve lost weight and by eating more…you’ve hooked me into learning more about this detox!
P.S Enjoy Portugal, it’s where my entire family is from and it’s definately close to my heart! The Algarve is probably a little slice of paradise.
.:Marta:.
Hi Marta, I’m eating more carbs than ever and losing weight, who knew?! Oh how wonderful, we’ve been many times before and love Portugal x
You are one determined lady! Love the fact you’re always prepared to try something new. You certainly looked stunning and full of joy on Friday! Glad you’re finding your new diet is making you calmer and happier. I love pasta, and the one you’ve put together certainly doesn’t look like it is missing anything. Yum!
Thanks beautiful Mel, you always look gorgeous yourself, wish we’d had more time to hang out, must sort a lunch in London out soon, glad you like this recipe x