Whole Wheat Pasta with Creamy Chili Avocado Pesto
Make dinner simple with this Whole Wheat Pasta with Creamy Chili Avocado Pesto recipe. Healthy, quick, tasty, and ready in ten minutes.
Enjoy a quick and delicious meal with whole wheat pasta and Cream Spicy Avocado Pesto—perfect for busy nights or a light lunch. I’ve been making this recipe for years now, and it has quickly become a family favorite.
Whole wheat penne and homemade fiery hot pesto combine well for a satisfying and healthy meal. What I love most is how easily you can adjust it based on the ingredients in your pantry. Healthy whole wheat and healthy whole grain recipes are at the top of my weekday recipes.
I’ve also made it with Black Garlic Vegan Pesto, and while any pasta works well with the pesto sauce, I find penne pairs best. Prep the pesto ahead of time, and in just 9 minutes, you’ll have a nutritious and flavorful dish ready to enjoy.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Whole Wheat Pasta Recipe
Quick and Simple – With just a few fresh ingredients, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and easy to throw together. If you already had the pesto prepared, it`s as easy as boiling the pasta and mixing the two ingredients.
Totally Plant-Based – A wholesome, vegan dish full of flavor and spicy.
Fiery or Mild – Add chili for spice or leave it out for a milder option.
Pantry-Friendly – Pasta is a staple many of us always have, making this dish super convenient.
Packed with Fiber – Whole wheat pasta is full of fiber, keeping you fuller for longer.
Easy Pasta Ingredients
If you’re new to vegan cooking, you’ll want something convenient. Having pasta sauce prepared in advance is a great way to avoid stress when making lunch.
What makes this Recipe so Easy?
Just cook your pasta according to the packet instructions, heat the hot pesto, mix them together, and serve. Now, how easy is that?
Find the complete list of ingredients, quantities, and instructions in the PRINTABLE RECIPE CARD at the end of this post.
- Boil the pasta – make sure the pasta water is nice and slightly salted. Why. it tastes better and also loses some of the stickiness.
- Add a little water to a cast iron pan and add three tablespoons of the creamy pesto. Let it warm up on a low heat.
- Once the pasta has drained well, add it to the heated pesto, give it a good stir, and remove it from the heat immediately to stop it from drying out. Serve immediately.
Cooking Notes
Salt the Water – Add salt to the boiling water before cooking the pasta. This enhances flavor and helps reduce stickiness.
Rinse After Draining – Once cooked, rinse the pasta with fresh water to prevent it from sticking. If not using it right away, let it cool and store it in the refrigerator.
Prevent Pesto from Sticking – Add a little water to the pan before heating the pesto. It will absorb the water while staying creamy.
Remove from Heat Immediately – Once the pasta is mixed with the pesto, take it off the heat right away to prevent it from drying out.
Make Ahead and Store
This pasta stores well in the fridge for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze it in an airtight container for up to two months
Substitutions and Variations
If you’re looking to switch things up, you can try using whole-grain pasta dishes like spaghetti, penne, or fusilli. You can also replace the pine nuts with walnuts or cashews, depending on what you have on hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Both whole grain and whole wheat products include all three parts of the grain kernel—bran, germ, and endosperm—preserving their natural nutrients and fiber.
Yes, it is!
Consuming pasta daily, including whole wheat pasta, can be part of a healthy and balanced diet. It offers a nutritious contribution to your meals when paired with other wholesome ingredients
Yes! You can easily swap in gluten-free pasta for a healthy pasta recipe that meets your dietary needs
Typically served warm, but it tastes great as a cold pasta salad too.
Yes, any pasta works. Cook it according to the package instructions
If you enjoy this recipe, I’d be thrilled if you could leave a 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️5 Star Rating and share your thoughts in the comments below. Your feedback helps guide others to discover these delicious creations. Thank you so much for your support!
Need More Vegan Pasta Recipes?
Then you’re at the right place:
Chickpea and Vegetable Lasagna
Recipe Card with Notes
Whole Wheat Pasta with Creamy Chilli Avocado Pesto
Equipment
Ingredients
- 250 g whole wheat pasta 1 litre of water for boiling
- 3 tablesppons pesto prepared in advance
- 5 tablespoons water
Watch me Make it (Video)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions. For a firm texture, 9 minutes is usually enough. Once cooked, drain and rinse with fresh water to prevent sticking.
- Add about 5 tablespoons of water to a non-stick or cast-iron pan, then stir in 3 tablespoons of pesto. Heat gently on low.
- Add the drained pasta and mix thoroughly to coat evenly. Turn off the heat, remove immediately, and serve.
Notes & Suggestions
Nutrition Profile
The nutritional information is an estimate, calculated automatically per serving, with all values, including calories, based on one serving.
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I made this quick, nutritional tasty dish, but used gluten free pasta and vegan cheese instead of nutritional yeast.
Very yummy
Thanks will make again
Gluten free pasta is an excellent substitute! Vegan cheese is great too! Thank you Amanda!