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Sunflower Seed Pesto Pasta

Creamy sunflower seed pesto pasta—a healthy, protein-packed comfort food ready in 20 minutes. Perfect for cozy weeknight dinners!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 420
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 8 oz whole wheat pasta
  • 1 cup sunflower seeds, raw
  • 2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast (or Parmesan)
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 cup pasta water (reserved)

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Cook pasta according to package instructions in salted water. Reserve ¼ cup pasta water before draining. Tip: Al dente pasta holds up best with pesto.
  2. While pasta cooks, blend sunflower seeds, basil, garlic, olive oil, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a food processor until smooth. Tip: Scrape down sides as needed for even blending.
  3. Toss drained pasta with pesto, adding reserved pasta water 1 tbsp at a time until creamy. Tip: Adjust salt and lemon to taste.