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This easy vegan creamy walnut pasta sauce is incredibly delicious and simple to make, ready in 30 minutes, oil-free and topped with homemade vegan Italian breadcrumbs!
You all know I am no stranger to a delicious plate of vegan creamy pasta (hello, comfort foods!) and this recipe is no exception. Not only is this dish incredibly delicious, but this is one of the easiest “fancy” meals I’ve ever made, totaling about 30 minutes of prep time- even including the homemade vegan Italian breadcrumbs!
Seriously, this easy vegan creamy walnut pasta is ready in no time, perfect for those weeknight meals where you want to eat something sorta fancy but have no time to make it! And the homemade vegan Italian breadcrumbs are so good (and so easy to make) you might question why you buy them after you try these!
Delicious, creamy, nutritious, satisfying, comforting…this has clearly become a staple meal in our house and it is also the perfect meal idea for entertaining guests/holiday dinner!
How to Make the Vegan Breadcrumbs
There are several steps to this recipe and it may seem complicated at first, but each step is quick and easy!
First, get ready to boil your pasta by adding water to a large pot. Add a few pinches of salt, turn the heat to high and bring to a boil. Once the water is boiling, add pasta and cook per instructions on the package.
Next, start on your breadcrumbs. Note: if you don’t plan on making homemade breadcrumbs, I still highly recommend adding store bought Italian breadcrumbs as it’s an integral part of the dish!
Place 2 pieces of bread in the toaster and toast well. You want this toasted well-brown and crispy, but not burnt. Wait for the toast to cool (you need it cool and crispy before you blend it or it wont blend well).
Once the toast is no longer warm, break it up in small pieces (it should be crispy!!) and add it to your high speed blender. Blend until you have breadcrumbs!
Empty the breadcrumbs from your blender (you should have around 3/4 – 1 cup of breadcrumbs) and add the remaining breadcrumb ingredients. Stir, taste test, and set aside. Done! Next, make your walnut pasta sauce.
How to Make Easy Vegan Creamy Walnut Pasta Sauce
First, toast the walnuts. Simply add your cup of raw walnuts to a pan and turn the head to medium. Do not add any oil. Stir frequently for about 5 minutes, until the walnuts become fragrant and you see them browning slightly.
Next, add all of the walnut pasta sauce ingredients to the blender and blend on high until it’s smooth and creamy. Taste test and add more seasonings/nutritional yeast if desired. I didn’t go TOO heavy on the seasoning in this vegan walnut pasta sauce because the breadcrumbs add a TON of flavor.
Once the pasta is done, drain and return to the pot. Add the walnut pasta sauce to the pasta and stir well over low heat. Next, add in your fresh chopped kale and stir again. Serve when the pasta is heated throughout.
Plate the pasta and add a generous portion of breadcrumbs (so good!) and top with additional parsley. Enjoy!
If you make this recipe, I would love a rating and comment below! Don’t forget to take a photo and tag @wholesome.crumbs on Instagram!
Easy Vegan Creamy Walnut Pasta [Oil-Free]
Equipment
- You will need: a toaster and a high speed blender
Ingredients
- 8 or 10 oz your favorite pasta
- big handful of fresh chopped kale
Vegan Creamy Walnut Pasta Sauce
- 1 cup raw walnut halves, toasted if your walnuts are whole, simply chop them a little then measure out 1 cup
- 2 tsp fresh chopped garlic about 4 cloves
- 3/4 cup plant-based milk something mild and not too sweet- I use oat milk
- 1/4 tsp salt, plus a couple extra pinches to taste
- 1/8 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley or more to taste
- 1/2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- black pepper to taste
- optional: nutritional yeast to taste
Homemade Vegan Italian Breadcrumbs
- 2 slices of whole wheat or GF bread this should yield 3/4 – 1 cup breadcrumbs. See notes
- 2 & 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder I like mine garlicky so if you don't, add garlic powder slowly and to taste
- 1/8 tsp onion powder
- a few pinches of salt, to taste
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- First, get ready to boil your pasta by adding water to a large pot. Add a few pinches of salt, turn the heat to high and bring to a boil. Add pasta once boiling and cook per instructions on the package.
- Now, start on your breadcrumbs. Note: if you don't plan on making homemade vegan breadcrumbs, I still highly recommend adding store bought Italian breadcrumbs as it's an integral part of the dish! Place 2 slices of bread in the toaster and toast well. You want this brown and crispy, but not burnt. Wait for the toast to cool.
- Once the toast is no longer warm, break it up in small pieces and add it to your high speed blender. Blend until you have breadcrumbs!
- Empty the breadcrumbs from your blender (you should have around 3/4 – 1 cup of breadcrumbs) and add the remaining breadcrumb ingredients. Stir, taste test, and set aside. Done! Next, make your walnut pasta sauce.
- First, toast the walnuts. Simply add your cup of raw walnuts to a pan and turn the heat to medium. Do not add any oil. Stir frequently for about 5 minutes, until the walnuts become fragrant and you see the them browning slightly.
- Next, add all of the walnut pasta sauce ingredients to the blender and blend on high until it's smooth and creamy. Taste test and add more seasonings/nutritional yeast if desired. I didn't go TOO heavy on the seasoning in this vegan walnut pasta sauce because the breadcrumbs add a TON of flavor, but add more flavor to your liking!
- Once the pasta is done, drain and return to the pot. Add the walnut pasta sauce to the pasta and stir well over low heat. Next, add in your fresh chopped kale and stir again. Serve when the pasta is heated throughout.
- Plate the pasta and add a generous portion of breadcrumbs (so good!) and top with additional parsley. Enjoy!
Notes
- Depending on the type of bread you use, after you make your breadcrumbs, you may get more or less than a cup. Adjust seasonings to your preference.
- If you aren’t going to make the homemade breadcrumbs, I still highly recommend using store bought Italian breadcrumbs for this dish. It adds so much flavor and the breadcrumbs are an integral part of the dish!
This was SO easy and delicious! My family loved it, even my kids (who are very picky.) I have tried several of “wholesome crumbs” recipes and love them all! Would truly recommend trying this one out for starters!
Thank you so much for the comment! I am so happy to hear everyone loved this! 🙂
My husband loved it! He can be picky LOL and he was bummed that I didn’t double it! Very easy and quick to make. Next time I may sauté the kale before adding and add some mushrooms
I am SO happy to hear that, thank you for your comment!! 🙂