Veggie Pesto Pasta 🥦🌿🍅🧄🍝 Fresh, Herby, and Packed With Roasted Veggies and Bright Basil Flavor

This pasta is all about contrast: sweet roasted vegetables, nutty pesto, and a silky pasta base that ties it all together. It’s a flexible, feel-good meal that’s just as great warm as it is room temp.

Perfect for using up what’s in the fridge — or showing off your market haul.

Ingredients (Serves 3–4)

For the pasta

• 12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or farfalle work great)
• Salted water for boiling
• ½ cup reserved pasta water

For the vegetables

• 1 small zucchini, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1 small red onion, sliced
• 1 cup broccoli or cauliflower florets
• 1–2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: ½ tsp Italian seasoning or chili flakes

For the pesto

• 2 cups basil or spinach (or a mix)
• ⅓ cup toasted pine nuts, almonds, or walnuts
• 2 cloves garlic
• ½ cup grated Parmesan
• Juice of ½ lemon
• ½ cup olive oil (plus more to taste)
• Salt and pepper to taste

To finish

• More Parmesan
• Extra pesto or olive oil
• Optional: fresh basil, chili flakes, or a squeeze of lemon

Instructions

Step 1: Roast the veggies
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss all veggies with olive oil, salt, pepper, and any optional seasonings. Spread on a sheet pan and roast for 20–25 minutes, until caramelized and tender.

Step 2: Cook the pasta
Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.

Step 3: Make the pesto
While pasta cooks, blend basil/spinach, nuts, garlic, Parmesan, lemon juice, and olive oil until smooth but textured. Season to taste.

Step 4: Toss everything together
In a large bowl, combine hot pasta, roasted vegetables, and pesto. Toss with splashes of pasta water until everything is glossy and well coated.

Step 5: Serve warm or at room temp
Top with more Parmesan, basil, or a drizzle of oil. Serve immediately or let sit — it’s great either way.

Flavor Variations

• Add chickpeas, white beans, or cooked chicken for protein
• Use arugula or kale pesto for a peppery or earthy variation
• Stir in sun-dried tomatoes or olives for umami depth
• Crumble in goat cheese or feta for tang
• Turn it into a pasta salad with extra lemon and a little vinegar

Pro Tips

• Roast vegetables until golden and caramelized — don’t rush it
• Use a mix of textures: soft tomatoes, crisp edges on broccoli, etc.
• Don’t over-blend the pesto — some texture gives better flavor
• Save that pasta water — it brings the sauce together like magic
• Taste and adjust at the end with lemon or salt to keep it bright

Final Thoughts

Veggie Pesto Pasta is fresh, customizable, and always satisfying — a dish that celebrates the power of simple ingredients done right. Whether you go classic with basil or remix the greens, it’s a winner every time.

Roast it. Toss it. Let the green and gold shine. 🥦🌿🍅🧄🍝

🍝 Pasta Recipes Collection

Explore All Pasta Recipes – A complete noodle lover’s hub — creamy, meaty, veggie-packed, or refreshingly cold, these recipes have it all.

🧄 Classic & Comforting

• 🧄 Classic Pasta Recipes – Tried-and-true dishes like spaghetti, fettuccine, and timeless tomato-based favorites.
• 🍅 Simple Pasta Recipes – Minimal ingredients, maximum flavor — pasta perfection without the fuss.
• ⚡ Easy Pasta Recipes – Weeknight lifesavers that deliver rich flavor fast, with zero culinary stress.
• 🍽️ Pasta Dinner Recipes – Family-friendly pastas that satisfy any night of the week.

🧀 Sauce Styles

• 🥛 Creamy Pasta Recipes – Silky sauces made with cream, cheese, or both — pure comfort in a bowl.
• 🧈 Alfredo Pasta Recipes – Rich and buttery Alfredo sauce takes center stage in these indulgent dishes.
• 🥄 White Sauce Pasta Recipes – Mellow and smooth béchamel-based recipes that pair beautifully with chicken or veggies.
• 🍅 Red Sauce Pasta Recipes – Bright, bold tomato sauces — classic marinara, spicy arrabbiata, and more.
• 🌿 Pesto Pasta Recipes – Herbaceous and vibrant, these green-sauced dishes are perfect for warm-weather meals.

🍗 Protein-Packed Pastas

• 🐓 Chicken Pasta Recipes – Tender chicken meets creamy or tangy sauces — the perfect protein-pasta pairings.
• 🍤 Shrimp Pasta Recipes – Juicy shrimp with garlic butter, wine, or creamy sauces — quick and elegant.
• 🐟 Seafood Pasta Recipes – Scallops, crab, salmon, or mixed shellfish in rich and zesty sauces.
• 🐄 Ground Beef Pasta Recipes – Comforting classics like bolognese, skillet meals, and one-pot beefy favorites.
• 🌭 Sausage Pasta Recipes – Hearty and spiced — from Italian to spicy andouille, sausage elevates every bite.

🥗 Pasta Salads & Light Fare

• 🥗 Pasta Salad Recipes – Great for potlucks, picnics, or meal prep — versatile and crowd-pleasing.
• ❄️ Cold Pasta Salad Recipes – Crisp veggies and chilled noodles tossed with light vinaigrettes or creamy dressings.
• ⏱️ Easy Pasta Salad Recipes – Quick assembly, great texture — ideal for lunches and BBQs.
• 🥬 Healthy Pasta Recipes – Nourishing options made with whole grains, lean proteins, and fresh produce.