High Protein Vegan Pesto

Elevate your plant-based meals with this High Protein Vegan Pesto, a creamy and nutrient-packed twist on the classic Italian sauce. Featuring a vibrant blend of fresh basil, spinach, and a protein-rich secret ingredient—silken tofu—it delivers a silky texture without the need for dairy. Toasted pumpkin seeds add a nutty depth, while nutritional yeast provides a cheesy, umami flavor perfect for vegan diets. Ready in just 10 minutes, this versatile pesto is ideal for everything from tossing with pasta to spreading on sandwiches or drizzling over roasted veggies. Packed with flavor and protein, it's the ultimate healthy, vegan-friendly condiment!

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:10 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
• 1 cup Fresh spinach
• 0.5 cup Silken tofu
• 3 tablespoons Nutritional yeast
• 0.25 cup Raw pumpkin seeds
• 2 pieces Fresh garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Water
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Wash and dry the basil leaves and spinach thoroughly to remove any dirt or grit.

Step 2

In a dry skillet over low heat, toast the raw pumpkin seeds for 2-3 minutes until lightly golden and fragrant. Set aside to cool.

Step 3

Add the fresh basil, spinach, silken tofu, nutritional yeast, pumpkin seeds, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, water, salt, and black pepper to a high-speed blender or food processor.

Step 4

Blend or process the ingredients until smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed. If the pesto is too thick, add an additional tablespoon of water at a time to reach your desired consistency.

Step 5

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more salt, lemon juice, or nutritional yeast to suit your preference.

Step 6

Transfer the pesto to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze in portions for future use.

Step 7

Use the vegan pesto as a sauce for pasta, a spread for sandwiches, or a dip for veggies and crackers.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	345.7 grams (345.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	704

Total Fat 58.60g	75%
Saturated Fat 9.60g	48%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.00g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1239mg	54%
Total Carbohydrate 23.90g	9%
Dietary Fiber 7.00g	25%
Total Sugars 1.40g
Protein 25.80g	52%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 546mg	42%
Iron 8mg	46%
Potassium 901mg	19%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 72.6%

Protein: 14.2%

Carbs: 13.2%