This easy asparagus and pea pasta is a springtime favorite! The creamy sauce is made from a base of light coconut milk keeping this recipe completely vegan.
microplane, box grater or zester (to zest the lemons)
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Ingredients
1lbrotini pasta(or your favorite pasta)
¼cupreserved pasta water(reserve in case you want to stretch the sauce)
1tablespoonextra virgin olive oil
1bunchof asparagusends trimmed, cut into bite-sized pieces
1cuppeas(fresh or frozen)
1yellow onionthinly sliced
¼teaspoonsalt
½teaspoondried basil
4clovesof garlicminced
3tablespoonsun dried tomatoes (in oil)julienned (thinly sliced)
1(15) ozcan of light coconut milk
½lemon + zest
3tablespoonnutritional yeast
½cupfresh basilthinly sliced for garish
Instructions
Cook the pasta according to package directions. Set aside. I like to use rotini for this recipe but feel free to use your favorite!
Add the oil to a large frying pan. Heat over medium heat. Add the asparagus, peas, onion, salt and dried basil. Saute for 8-10 minutes until the onions become translucent.
Add the minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Saute for another minute until the garlic is fragrant and begins to brown.
Add the coconut milk, lemon zest, lemon juice and nutritional yeast to the pan. Stir together and scrape the bottom of the pan to loosen up any stuck veggies. Cook for 3-5 minutes until the sauce is heated through.
Add the cooked pasta to the sauce. You may need to transfer to a larger pot, or a large mixing bowl. Garnish with freshly sliced basil, black pepper and vegan parmesan if desired.
Notes
This recipe was originally published on May 18, 2021. The recipe and blog post was modified and republished on April 7, 2024.
Use your favorite pasta shape.
You can use fresh or frozen veggies! If using frozen asparagus I recommend letting it thaw (or microwave it for 1 minute) enough so you can slice it into bite-sized pieces.
For a creamier version use full-fat coconut milk.
Make it spicy by adding ¼ teaspoon to ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes!
I like to buy julienne sun-dried tomatoes in oil that are already thinly sliced.
If you use regular sun-dried tomatoes, try soaking them in warm water for a few minutes before slicing them.