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    Home » Recipes » Pasta Recipes

    Vegan Pasta with Green Sauce

    Published: Oct 25, 2021 · Modified: Mar 11, 2022 by Emily · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Pack in some extra veggies with this delicious pasta with green sauce! With no dairy or oil, this pasta is so healthy and luscious. Make it in under 30 minutes!

    fork twirling green pasta upwards on a white plate.

    One of my favorite ways to add more greens and vegetables into my diet is to make it into a tasty pasta sauce! This sauce is so flavorful and easy. Plus, it's bright green color is so pretty!

    This pasta with green sauce is vegan, oil-free, and you can make it gluten-free by just using GF pasta! You (or your kids) won't even taste any of the spinach or greens in this pasta, but they'll get all of the nutrients in it!

    Why you'll love this recipe

    • Sneaky Vegetables - Sure, the green color of the sauce might give it away, but you certainly won't know there are vegetables in this sauce based on the taste! Get tons of nutrients without eating a salad.
    • Gorgeous Green - Lightly cooking the spinach and blending that with cashews and zucchini makes this sauce such a pretty and BRIGHT green color!
    • Full of Flavor - Despite the simple ingredients, this pasta is bursting with flavor! The mix of chives, spinach, and basil work perfectly together.

    What you need for this recipe

    Ingredients and Substitutions

    ingredients with labels.
    • Pasta - Use any pasta you like. Regular or gluten-free.
    • Cashews - Raw, unroasted cashews will work the best! This makes the sauce creamy.
    • Basil - Fresh, whole basil leaves. Don't use dried basil.
    • Spinach - Baby spinach works best here. Frozen spinach may work, but the sauce may come out slightly different.
    • Zucchini - Regular, fresh, chopped zucchini. You could substitute a yellow squash if needed.
    • Chives - Use fresh chives! Don't use dried chives. Green onions are a great substitute.

    How to make this recipe

    Step 1: Boil the Cashews

    Bring 3 cups of water to a boil in a pot.

    Add the raw cashews and simmer on medium heat for about 20 minutes, or until the cashews are soft enough to easily puncture with a fork.

    Separately, boil the pasta of your choice according to the box instructions.

    Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.

    Once the cashews are soft, add the zucchini and continue to simmer for about 1 minute.

    • cashews and zucchini in a pot with water.
    • spinach added to the cashews and zucchini in a pot.

    Turn off the heat, then quickly stir in the baby spinach for about 30 seconds until it is wilted.

    Step 2: Make the Sauce

    Once the spinach is lightly wilted, drain the pot and add the cashews, zucchini, and spinach to a high-powered blender.

    Also add the chives, basil, lemon juice, salt, and about ½ cup of the pasta water.

    green sauce in a blender.

    Blend until smooth. Add more pasta water if necessary.

    Step 3: Finishing Touches

    Add the cooked pasta back to a pot or pan over low heat.

    Slowly add the green sauce into the pasta, and stir to combine.

    • spaghetti in a large pot with green sauce being added.
    • green sauce pasta in a white pot.

    Let it heat up and reduce if necessary.

    Taste and adjust seasoning accordingly.

    Serve hot and garnish with pepper and crushed cashews.

    green pasta on a white plate with a fork twirling spaghetti.

    Expert Tips and Tricks

    • If you don't want to boil the cashews, you can also soak them. It will take a lot longer for the cashews to soften by soaking, but it will still work.
    • Feel free to add more flavors in here as well. Try adding red pepper flakes, Confit Garlic, or even raw garlic!
    • Not a fan of cashews? Raw almonds or even sunflower seeds will work for a nut-free option!

    Recipe FAQs

    How do you make green spaghetti sauce?

    This pasta with green sauce is made by blending boiled cashews with spinach, basil, chives, zucchini, lemon, and water!

    What garnish goes on pasta?

    Because this pasta already has fresh herbs inside the sauce, I recommend garnishing with things like crushed cashews, plant-based parmesan, nutritional yeast, red pepper flakes, or flaky salt.

    How long does this pasta last?

    If you keep any leftovers in an airtight container, it will stay good in the fridge for up to 4-5 days! Always inspect leftover food for any signs of aging.

    • Spaghetti Alla Nerano
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    Love a recipe you've tried? Please leave a 5-star🌟 rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. Don't forget to tag me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook when you try one of my recipes!

    Vegan Pasta With Green Sauce

    Pack in some extra veggies with this delicious pasta with green sauce! With no dairy or oil, this pasta is so healthy and luscious. Make it in under 30 minutes!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American, Italian
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 2 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Blending Time: 3 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 293kcal
    Author: Emily

    Equipment

    • Pot for boiling pasta
    • Pot or pan for boiling cashews
    • High Powered Blender
    • Sharp Knife

    Ingredients

    • 8 ounces Spaghetti or pasta of choice, GF if needed
    • ½ cup Raw cashews
    • ¼ cup Chives fresh, chopped
    • .5 ounce Basil leaves fresh
    • 1 cup Zucchini chopped
    • 2 cups Baby spinach
    • 3 cups Water for boiling cashews
    • 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
    • 2 teaspoon Salt
    • 1 cup Pasta water reserved from cooking pasta.

    Instructions

    • Bring 3 cups of water to a boil in a pot.
    • Add the raw cashews and simmer on medium heat for about 20 minutes, or until the cashews are soft enough to easily puncture with a fork.
    • Separately, boil the pasta of your choice according to the box instructions.
    • Reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
    • Once the cashews are soft, add the zucchini and continue to simmer for about 1 minute.
    • Turn off the heat, then quickly stir in the baby spinach for about 30 seconds until it is wilted.
    • Once the spinach is lightly wilted, drain the pot and add the cashews, zucchini, and spinach to a high-powered blender.
    • Also add the chives, basil, lemon juice, salt, and about ½ cup of the pasta water.
    • Blend until smooth. Add more pasta water if necessary.
    • Add the cooked pasta back to a pot or pan over low heat.
    • Slowly add the green sauce into the pasta, and stir to combine.
    • Let it heat up and reduce if necessary.
    • Taste and adjust seasoning accordingly.
    • Serve hot and garnish with pepper and crushed cashews.

    Notes

    • If you don't want to boil the cashews, you can also soak them. It will take a lot longer for the cashews to soften by soaking, but it will still work.
    • Feel free to add more flavors in here as well. Try adding red pepper flakes, Confit Garlic, or even raw garlic!
    • Not a fan of cashews? Raw almonds or even sunflower seeds will work for a nut-free option!
    • If you keep any leftovers in an airtight container, it will stay good in the fridge for up to 4-5 days! Always inspect leftover food for any signs of aging.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 293kcal | Carbohydrates: 48.3g | Protein: 10.6g | Fat: 7.1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3.5g | Sodium: 1189mg | Potassium: 246.6mg | Fiber: 3.5g | Sugar: 3.9g | Vitamin A: 24.8IU | Vitamin C: 15.3mg | Calcium: 8.6mg | Iron: 18.8mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @LegallyHealthyBlonde or tag #LegallyHealthyBlonde!

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Michael

      January 23, 2022 at 3:19 am

      5 stars
      Green is becoming my favorite flavor!!

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Emily! I am the classically trained chef-recipe creator behind Legally Healthy Blonde. I love fancy pasta, a good martini, and cooking impressive meals for myself and friends! I created LHB to share my passion of cooking and entertaining with everyone! If you love feel-good food that looks & tastes impressive, you're in the right spot!

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