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Vegan Parsley Arugula Pesto with ingredients

VEGAN PARSLEY ARUGULA PESTO

Easy Vegan Parsley Arugula Pesto, ready in a few minutes and with simple ingredients, is not only healthy and delicious but also Nut-Free and Oil-Free!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Sauce
Cuisine Gluten-Free, Italian-Inspired, Vegan
Servings 2 cups

Equipment

  • 1 Food processor
  • 1 Airtight container

Ingredients
  

Parsley and Arugula Pesto (About 2 cups)

  • 1 lemon
  • 2 cups parsley Fresh flat Italian parsley. 2 cups packed.
  • 2 cups arugula Fresh baby arugula. 2 cups packed.
  • 1 can chickpeas 15 oz (425 g) chickpeas can (reserve the aquafaba, liquid of the can).
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • ¼ cup nutritional yeast
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For Pesto Pasta (optional)

  • 12 oz dry pasta 340 g. Gluten-Free if needed.

Instructions
 

  • If serving this pesto with pasta in a large pot, bring salted water to boil. Add the pasta and cook, occasionally stirring, until al dente. Reserve some of the cooking water and then drain the rest.
  • Prepare the pesto, starting by zesting and juicing the lemon. Set aside.
  • Rinse and pat dry the parsley. Cut the end of the stems, and place the rest of the parsley in the food processor.
  • Then add the arugula, lemon zest and juice, chickpeas, garlic cloves, nutritional yeast, and salt and pepper.
  • Pulse until the ingredients are minced and combined. Slowly add the aquafaba with the food processor running until reaching the desired consistency. The pesto has to be thick but smooth. If you want it less dense, add some water or more aquafaba if you have extra of it.
  • Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
  • This pesto is ready for adding to pasta, pizzas, bread, sandwiches, and more.
  • For pesto pasta, transfer the drained pasta to a bowl or serving plate, add the pesto, and toss. Use some reserved pasta water to help the pesto stick and bind better. Add your favorite toppings.
  • Store pesto leftovers in an airtight container for 5 days in the fridge. You could also keep the pesto in the freezer for 6 months.

Notes

  • This recipe is very flexible; you can replace the parsley and arugula with basil, spinach, cilantro, or any combination. And you can adapt the ratios; always pick adding more of the most flavorful greens.
  • If you like a less chunky pesto, it’s better to use a blender instead of a food processor.
  • This pesto will thicken up a little in the refrigerator. You can thin it out by adding water and mixing.
  • To keep it in the freezer, pour the pesto into ice cube molds, freeze it, and store it in an airtight container.
  • The total time doesn’t include the cooking time for pasta.