Let’s just say this meal is basically your personality on a plate—refreshing, sassy, and a little unpredictable. Pesto Pasta Salad brings herby charm like your friend who always smells like rosemary and good decisions. And Coffee Ice Cream? She’s your cool alter ego—caffeinated, indulgent, and just dangerous enough to cancel your 4 p.m. plans. Together, they make a vegan duo that’s creamy, vibrant, and frankly too fabulous to be called “just lunch.” If carbs and espresso had a love child, this would be it. So grab your blender, boss that basil, and churn your way to vegan diva energy.
Pesto Pasta Salad with Coffee Ice Cream
A fresh pesto pasta salad paired with a creamy, plant-based coffee ice cream that tastes way fancier than it is.
Ingredients
For the Pesto Pasta Salad:
- 2 cups cooked penne or rotini
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/4 cup pine nuts or walnuts if you’re broke
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Vegan Coffee Ice Cream:
- 1 can full-fat coconut milk 13.5 oz
- 1/2 cup brewed coffee cooled
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp instant coffee optional for boldness
- Pinch of sea salt
Instructions
Pesto Pasta Salad:
- Boil pasta until tender. Drain and cool.
- In blender, combine basil, garlic, lemon, olive oil, yeast, and nuts. Blend until smooth.
- Toss pesto with pasta, add tomatoes, season with salt and pepper.
- Chill if you’re fancy, or eat it straight from the bowl.
Coffee Ice Cream:
- Mix coconut milk, coffee, maple syrup, vanilla, instant coffee, and salt in a bowl.
- Pour mixture into ice cream maker or container.
- If using a container, stir every 30 minutes for 3 hours.
- Freeze until firm. Try not to eat it all in one sitting.
Notes
Nutritional Values (Per Serving)
Calories: 360Total Fat: 19g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Carbohydrates: 37g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 6g
Vitamins and Minerals (Per Serving)
- Calcium: 9%
- Iron: 11%
- Magnesium: 12%
- Potassium: 10%
- Vitamin K: 15%
Additional Notes / Tips to Enhance Flavor
- Add avocado to pesto for extra creaminess (and sass).
- Swap maple for agave if you’re feeling edgy.
- Toast pine nuts for that “I know what I’m doing” vibe.
- Stir crushed coffee beans into ice cream for a texture twist.
- Garnish with basil or a drizzle of balsamic—because aesthetic matters.
