The sweet, tart, and rich flavor of sun-dried tomatoes are a must-try addition to your pesto! This Creamy Vegan Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta recipe is gluten-free, top 8 allergy-free, easy to whip up, and will be the star on your dinner table!
There’s something about a simple, yet flavor-packed pasta dish that always captivates the senses. The vibrant colors and shapes for the eyes, the mouth-watering aromas for the nose, of course the delectable taste for the taste buds. Also, the “common sense” of the ease and crowd-pleasing affect that pasta has on our decision making process! When we need a quick weeknight meal that will fill our family’s bellies and accommodate all dietary needs, a bag of pasta and a great homemade sauce seems like just the thing!
Pasta is a pantry staple, right? No kitchen is complete without multiple bags and boxes, always ready for that quick weeknight meal. It’s one of the first foods we gluten-free folks seek out to find a reliable (and delicious) replacement for. What would we do without our backup pasta meals in the pantry? Since (unfortunately) we’re going into the “busy season” where school starts, kids activities takeover our afternoons and nights, and the holiday season starts to creep in, it’s time to make sure our pantries are stocked up with our go-to ingredients for meals in a flash like ALDI liveGfree Organic Gluten Free Brown Rice & Quinoa Fusilli!
Finding a gluten-free pasta that’s full of flavor, sturdy, nutritious, and has the ability to deceive even the biggest gluten-eaters in the house is one of those #lifegoals we all have. This liveGfree fusilli fits all those requirements (yes, it even got the seal of approval from the big gluten-eater in my house!) Another “seal” that the entire line of ALDI liveGfree products received is the Good Housekeeping Seal, which means that each liveGfree product was evaluated and quality tested by the food and nutrition experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute, so you know it’s a product you can trust!
So, dressing up a gluten-free pasta with something that’s equally as high quality is the final key to a no-brainer weeknight dinner. Here’s where we bring in one of the most delicious and flavor-packed pestos you will ever try! Wait! Isn’t pesto “difficult”? Isn’t pesto far from vegan or allergy-free? Don’t worry! I can dispel all those myths right here, right now. No hassle, no dairy, no nuts, and no worries that everyone at the dinner table will be thoroughly pleased!
So what does this dreamy sun-dried tomato pesto include? Only 6 ingredients (not including black pepper!) Oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, hemp seeds (replacing the typical pine nuts), nooch (aka: nutritional yeast, aka: best vegan “cheese”), fresh basil leaves, some minced garlic, a rich quality olive oil, and that final dash of black pepper. Throw it all in a blender and you get the creamiest, dreamiest, richest pesto you’ve ever had! It’s so perfect for mixing into our gluten-free fusilli since the spirals just capture and hold onto all the creamy sun-dried tomato pesto goodness!
The rave reviews this sun-dried tomato pesto pasta got! It surprised even me! Regardless that the sun-dried tomato pesto is vegan or that the fusilli is gluten-free, I already know this pasta recipe needs to be committed to memory so I can whip it up for the family any night of the week! Plus, don’t you like that feeling when you come home from a busy day, but you get to end the night on a delicious note that’s deceivingly super “fancy” but actually super easy? Pesto always feels so elegant, but it’s really so simple to make! You could even make the pesto ahead of time, store it in the fridge, and add to your gluten-free pasta as needed! #Winning!
Creamy Vegan Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta
- 8 oz of ALDI liveGfree Organic Gluten Free Brown Rice & Quinoa Fusilli
- Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto:
- 1 Cup Oil-Packed Sun-Dried Tomatoes (removed from oil)
- ½ Cup ALDI SimplyNature Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- ½ Cup Fresh Basil Leaves (ALDI now has these in store!)
- ⅓ Cup ALDI SimplyNature Hemp Seeds
- ⅓ Cup Nutritional Yeast
- 1 Tsp Stonemill Minced Garlic
- ¼ to ½ Tsp Stonemill Ground Black Pepper
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil on the stove, add your pasta, and cook according to package directions (about 7-8 minutes). Drain and add back to the pot.
- While the pasta is cooking, combine all pesto ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until creamy smooth (add additional oil if needed).
- With the cooked pasta back in the pot, add the finished pesto right in with the pasta and mix well to combine.
- Serve with a sprinkle of dried parsley or basil if desired.
Who’s ready for dinner? No matter what time of day you’re reading this post, I want you to stop, drop all things, head to your nearest ALDI, pick up some liveGfree gluten-free fusilli and your sun-dried tomato pesto ingredients, and make this creamy vegan sun-dried tomato pesto pasta for your next meal! Serve it warm or even cold as leftovers (leftover lover’s unite!) this is a no-fail, easy, nutritious recipe EVERYONE will love! Wholesome carbs (brown rice and quinoa pasta), protein (nutritional yeast, hemp seeds, and the quinoa in the pasta!), and heart healthy fats (hello, olive oil and hemp seeds!) Healthy pasta too? Crazy how simple food can be the best food for us, eh?
So tell me:
+ Do you have a favorite non-traditional pesto add-in?
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Stay connected: Facebook: Strength and Sunshine Twitter: @RebeccaGF666 Instagram: rebeccagf666 Pinterest: RebeccaGF666 Bloglovin’: Strength and Sunshine Google+: Rebecca Pytell *This recipe post was sponsored in partnership with ALDI. I was compensated and all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting Strength and Sunshine!*
We have quite a few food intolerances so often go for vegan recipes. I love the sound of this recipe, it looks yummy! Never thought of adding yeast before. YUM! Yvadney
This is nutritional yeast (vegan cheesy, nutty flavor). It’s not baking yeast.
This looks delicious! I have a gluten allergy and am always looking for new gf pasta dishes to try. Thanks for sharing!
Alyssa | Flaxseeds & Fairytales recently posted…Strawberry Basil Smoothie
I hope you enjoy this one!
This sounds so tasty and easy. Thank you for sharing!
Totally is; thanks, Debra!
Just reading this recipe made me drool!
It looks quite easy to make and love the ingredients that are all a healthier version than the originals!
I’ll give it a go. 😉
Karla | KarlaTravels recently posted…How To Overcome A Blogger Burnout
Exactly! I hope you do! It’s a great weeknight meal!
Drooling, great vegan / gf recipe!!
Thanks, Hannah!
Something tells me I’d be wanting to put that sauce on everything! It looks and sounds delicious!
I totally support keeping a jar of this pesto on hand 😉
Yes!!! This looks so delicious and perfect for dinner!
It is one great meal!
My mouth is watering just reading this
Haha, great!
Sounds delicious!
Thanks, Cara!
I am trying to move to a more vegan friendly diet and this looks really great. I will have to give it a try! 🙂
It will be a great dinner option to have!
I’m one of pesto’s biggest fans, so I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Awesome! Let me know what you think of this one!
This looks so mouth-watering, I’ll definitely try it😍
Haha, well thank you! I hope you do, let me know!
That looks great. We’re vegetarian in our house so new pasta dishes are always popular.
I hope you whip some up and enjoy then!
Such a delicious looking pasta…loved it and bookmarked it
Aw, thank you; enjoy!
This really does look like a pasta dish anyone would love! Sun dried tomatoes are such a perfect ingredient. Thank you for sharing 🙂
O yes! They should be a flavor-enhancing staple in any kitchen!
looks really delicious and gluten free. =)
Lol, yes.
This sounds so amazing!! I love anything with pesto too!!
Pesto is always such a great option to have!
This looks so delicious! I love that it is also vegan 🙂
It’s a standout vegan pesto!
I love pasta especially if it’s gluten free!
Do you have celiac disease? 🙂
This gets a big yes from me – fabby recipe can’t wait to try it.
It is such a crowd-pleaser!
This looks amazing! What a great dinner idea – definitely need to try it out!
I hope you do, Adriana.
This looks so yum. What a summery recipe. Thanks for sharing
Sure, thanks!
Omg, this looks delicious! I know what’s for dinner tonight. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Awesome! Let me know how it comes out for you 🙂
This looks so lovely! Hubby and I love pasta but we hardly ever get it right when making it ourselves. Will be sure to try this one!
Haha, well this is an easy one to master!
I love a good pasta recipe, and I can’t wait to try this one out!
I hope you do then!
Yummy! My husband and I eat pasta once a week and we are always looking for new recipes to try different things. We are definitely going to try this.
Cristina – Memories of the Pacific recently posted…Menorca Itinerary: What to do in 5 Days
This recipe sure will change it up!
Omg girl! This looks amazing! I literally just ate dinner and I’m ready to make second dinner now. LOL
Hmmm, “midnight snack” perhaps 😉 Haha!
This looks amazing! I’m always looking for solid recommendations on GF pastas…I haven’t tried this brand yet. Thanks!
Kristin recently posted…Glad I Saw It: Lonely Dictator
This ALDI pasta won’t let you down!
Your description of this dish had me drooling! The tomato pesto is such a fresh flavor to make this perfect for summer.
I think it’s a perfect end of summer, early Fall meal!
Always looking for recipes that are healthy, quick and easy to cook for the weekdays, when you are very short on time. definitely will be making this soon. Thanks for sharing.
And this pasta totally fits the bill! You can even have the pesto made ahead of time!
My boyfriend will fall in love with this recipe! I love it too, we are huge pasta fans! And this combo sounds amazing! It looks SO delicious! I wanna eat the screen! 💗
Haha, well that’s what I like to hear! Let me know if you do give it a go!
My boyfriend and I trying to find some more vegan meals and we definitely need to try out this recipe! I LOVE pasta and this looks so delicious.
Emily recently posted…My Favourite Breweries in Australia and New Zealand
Yes! And you can never go wrong with yummy pasta!
I’m always looking for vegan-friendly recipes for friends with dietary restrictions, that will still taste great for everyone else – this fits the bill! Can’t wait to try it!
O yes! This pasta will be a winner ALL around! No one will know it’s free-from!
Love sun-dried tomato pesto is the best, love this version!! Fantastic looking dinner :-).
Thank you, Leigh!
Okay, first, I’ve been gluten free for 9 years now and Aldi is the bomb-diggity when it comes to GF products! I only use this pasta and I really like the olive oil and rosemary crackers too! Anyway, enough of that! I’m always looking for new GF recipes, so I appreciate posts like this! Thanks for sharing! Pinning for later!
Ah, well then I know you are going to love this new pesto recipe for your pasta!
I gotta be honest I’m not a huge pesto person but this actually looks really good!! What a fun recipe- I’m always looking for easy pastas to make!
Well this is not your typical green pesto! The flavors here are amazing!
Yep making this, this week! I love pasta dishes and although I am not vegan I am interested in this
It pleased the non-vegans in our house!
Wow that looks amazing! I’m always up for a healthy recipe…especially pasta1
Pasta dinners never let us down!
I love pasta but I am always scared to use sun dried tomatoes in case it is too oily. Any suggestions?
What?
I love a good gluten-free pasta…like you said, a good one that can deceive the gluten-free eaters is awesome!
I always know I have a winner when my non-celiac brother approves!
Omg this got me drooling! Looks amazing!
Thanks, Andrea!
We love any meal we can do on the stovetop in the summer and this looks delicious! I think I have my dinner plans covered for tonight!
Well then you are in for some delicious eats!
My stomach is growling just looking at these. I can almost taste it!
Haha, well I hope you make some then!
This pasta looks delicious!!!
Thank you, Jenni!