Nut-Free Spaghetti with Pesto

Say hello to a vibrant twist on a classic dish with this Nut-Free Spaghetti with Pesto recipe! Perfect for those with nut allergies or anyone seeking a fresh and flavorful pasta option, this dish swaps traditional pine nuts for nutrient-packed sunflower seeds. The creamy, basil-forward pesto is elevated with garlic, tangy lemon juice, and a sprinkle of nutritional yeast, giving it a cheesy, umami-rich depth—completely dairy-free! With just 20 minutes from start to finish, this quick and wholesome recipe is ideal for weeknight dinners or meal prep. Tossed with al dente spaghetti and a touch of reserved pasta water for a silky finish, this nut-free pesto pasta is a crowd-pleaser that’s both allergy-friendly and packed with bold, satisfying flavors.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 grams Spaghetti
• 2 cups Fresh basil leaves
• 3 tablespoons Sunflower seeds
• 2 tablespoons Nutritional yeast
• 2 cloves Garlic
• 1/3 cup Olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1/2 cup Reserved pasta water

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, prepare the nut-free pesto. In a food processor, combine basil leaves, sunflower seeds, nutritional yeast, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3

Pulse the mixture until smooth, scraping down the sides of the food processor as needed. If the pesto is too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of the reserved pasta water and blend again until silky.

Step 4

Once the pasta is drained, return it to the pot or a large serving bowl. Pour the pesto over the warm spaghetti and toss to coat. If needed, add additional reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, to loosen the sauce and ensure even coverage.

Step 5

Serve the Nut-Free Spaghetti with Pesto immediately. Optionally, garnish with additional basil leaves or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	688.1 grams (688.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1531

Total Fat 92.10g	118%
Saturated Fat 13.90g	70%
Polyunsaturated Fat 15.90g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1199mg	52%
Total Carbohydrate 139.30g	51%
Dietary Fiber 13.80g	49%
Total Sugars 4.90g
Protein 36.40g	73%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 129mg	10%
Iron 10mg	58%
Potassium 789mg	17%

*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: 54.1%

Protein: 9.5%

Carbs: 36.4%