Creamy Spinach Walnut Pasta (Print Version)

A velvety green pasta dish featuring fresh spinach and toasted walnuts blended into a creamy, plant-based sauce. Ready in 25 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz dried pasta (spaghetti, penne, or preferred shape)

→ Sauce

02 - 1 cup raw walnuts
03 - 4 cups fresh baby spinach, packed
04 - 1 cup unsweetened plant-based milk (oat, soy, or almond)
05 - 2 garlic cloves
06 - 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
07 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
10 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
11 - Pinch of ground nutmeg (optional)

→ Garnish

12 - Extra toasted walnuts, chopped
13 - Freshly ground black pepper
14 - Lemon zest (optional)

# How To Make:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
02 - While the pasta cooks, toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant and golden. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
03 - In a high-speed blender or food processor, combine the toasted walnuts (reserve a few for garnish), spinach, plant-based milk, garlic, nutritional yeast, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and nutmeg if using. Blend until completely smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed.
04 - Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary. Add more milk for a thinner sauce or more nutritional yeast for enhanced richness.
05 - Return the drained pasta to the pot. Pour the spinach walnut sauce over the pasta and toss to coat. Add reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a silky, creamy consistency.
06 - Serve immediately, garnished with extra chopped walnuts, freshly ground black pepper, and lemon zest if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Its ready in 25 minutes flat, making it perfect for those weeknights when takeout is tempting but you want something real
  • The sauce comes together in one blender, meaning less cleanup and more time to actually enjoy your evening
02 -
  • Don't skip toasting the walnuts—I tried the shortcut once and the sauce tasted flat and disappointingly plain
  • That pasta water you reserve is essential for adjusting consistency and helping the sauce cling to every bite
03 -
  • Blend the sauce for longer than you think necessary—we want it absolutely silky smooth
  • Warm your serving bowls in the oven for five minutes to keep everything hot at the table
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