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January 30, 2019 Leave a Comment

Modern Table Penne with Creamy Cashew and Spinach Pesto Sauce

 

Thank you, Modern Table for sponsoring this post. This delicious, complete protein pasta is made from just three plant-based ingredients — Eat clean with Modern Table pasta today!

Modern Table Penne with Creamy Cashew and Spinach Pesto Sauce is an easy, delicious, nutritious plant-based dairy-free and gluten-free meal that’s perfect for a weeknight yet elegant enough for guests!  I’ve got a great tip to make pesto oil-free so read on!

Modern Table Pasta with Creamy Cashew and Spinach Pesto Sauce - Overhead hero shot of two bowls of the pasta on white background

Hey, friends!  Sharing something very special I am loving and I think you’re going to love it, too!

When my husband and I want pasta, we always try to make the healthiest choice.  We love pasta but we don’t love all the simple carbohydrates regular pasta has.

I recently discovered Modern Table Complete Protein Pasta and it’s amazing!

Modern Table Pasta with Creamy Cashew and Spinach Pesto Sauce - Overhead shot of the boxes of pasta with pasta spilling out of one of the boxes

Modern Table Complete Protein Pasta has 20 grams of protein per 3.5-ounce serving!  Wait.  What?

All Modern Table pastas are lentil-based and contain complete protein–meaning they have the 9 essential amino acids our bodies need for strong energy, good digestion and muscle health.

With only three plant-based ingredients, the plain pastas are vegan, non-GMO and gluten-free.  In addition, each serving has 5 grams of fiber.

Modern Table pastas are for those looking for a healthy lifestyle.  It’s the perfect way to get more nutrition from your meals–a blend of nutrition with the texture of tradition.  I was super-impressed with the texture–just like traditional pasta!

It’s simply beautiful food!

Modern Table Pasta with Creamy Cashew and Spinach Pesto Sauce - Overhead shot of the uncooked pasta in glass bowl

I used Modern Table penne pasta for this dish, however, it’s also available in elbows, rotini and spirals.

Modern Table Pasta with Creamy Cashew and Spinach Pesto Sauce - Overhead shot of the pasta in the box and in the glass bowl

Let’s get started!  This Creamy Cashew and Spinach Pesto Sauce is completely vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free and oil-free!

How to make Modern Table Penne with Creamy Cashew and Spinach Pesto Sauce:

  • Start with raw or roasted cashews.  Roasted cashews are easier to find and I like the extra layer of flavor the roasting provides.  If using salted cashews, you may not need to add additional salt later.
  • Soak 1 cup cashews in water.  You can do the soaking three ways:
    • A quick soak in boiling hot water for 30 to 45 minutes.
    • A soak starting with hot tap water for 2 hours.
    • A regular soak at room temperature overnight.

Modern Table Pasta with Creamy Cashew and Spinach Pesto Sauce - Overhead shot of cashews on marble surface

  • Reserve a little of the soaking water then drain the cashews.  Place the cashews in a mini food processor or blender.  Add a tablespoon or two of the soaking water then process to a thick sauce consistency, adding small amounts of water as needed.
  • Don’t worry if it’s not 100% smooth; it will be going into the pesto and a little texture from the cashews is just fine!

Modern Table Pasta with Creamy Cashew and Spinach Pesto Sauce - Overhead shot of cashew cream in food processor

  • Then, make the pesto.
  • Combine the pesto ingredients in a food processor or blender:  The spinach, more cashews, garlic, a little lemon juice, some crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat and here’s the oil-free tip….

⇒⇒⇒  To make this pesto or any pesto oil-free, substitute vegetable broth in place of the oil.  Vegetable broth adds flavor without the fat and calories of oil.

Modern Table Pasta with Creamy Cashew and Spinach Pesto Sauce - Overhead shot of pesto in food processor

  • Stir the cashew cream into the pesto…

Modern Table Pasta with Creamy Cashew and Spinach Pesto Sauce - Front view of finished creamy pesto sauce in white bowl

  • Cook the beautiful Modern Table penne per the package directions…

Modern Table Pasta with Creamy Cashew and Spinach Pesto Sauce - Overhead shot of cooked pasta in white colander

Modern Table Pasta with Creamy Cashew and Spinach Pesto Sauce - Front view of cooked pasta in white colander

  • Place the penne back into the pot.
  • Stir the Creamy Cashew and Spinach Pesto Sauce into the hot, cooked penne.

Modern Table Pasta with Creamy Cashew and Spinach Pesto Sauce - Overhead shot of pesto and pasta being combined in cooking pot

  • Garnish with chopped cashews…
  • Serve!  So easy, so good and so good for you!

Modern Table Pasta with Creamy Cashew and Spinach Pesto Sauce - Another overhead shot of two bowls of the pasta on white background from slightly farther away

Modern Table Pasta with Creamy Cashew and Spinach Pesto Sauce - Front view of finished pasta dish in white bowl

With Modern Table pastas, you don’t have to give up the good stuff because the stuff you want is good.  Now you can have your pasta and eat it too!

Be sure to visit the Modern Table website for more information about all their products and to find their plant protein-packed pasta near you!  Find Modern Table on social media at:

  • Facebook – Modern Table on Facebook
  • Twitter – Modern Table on Twitter

Modern Table Pasta with Creamy Cashew and Spinach Pesto Sauce - Overhead shot of a bowl of the finished pasta dish with box of Modern Table pasta

Yield: 6

Modern Table Penne with Creamy Cashew and Spinach Pesto Sauce

Modern Table Penne with Creamy Cashew and Spinach Pesto sauce is an easy, delicious, nutritious plant-based meal that's perfect for a weeknight yet elegant enough for guests!  Plus a great tip to make pesto oil-free!
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Additional Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups raw or roasted cashews, divided
  • Water for soaking cashews
  • 1 (5-ounce) container baby spinach
  • 3/4 cup vegetable broth
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (or to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 (8-ounce) boxes Modern Table Penne Complete Protein Pasta (1 pound)

Instructions

  1. Bring 3 cups of water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add 1 cup cashews, turn the heat off and let stand for 30-45 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the soaking water then drain cashews.
  2. Place soaked cashews in a blender or mini food processor. Add 1-2 tablespoons of the soaking water. Puree the cashews until very smooth, adding small amounts of water as necessary until you have a creamy consistency.
  3. Transfer cashew cream to a bowl.
  4. Place 1/2 cup cashews, spinach, vegetable broth and garlic in the blender or in a food processor. Process to a paste consistency.
  5. Add cashew cream to pesto and process until combined.
  6. Coarsely chop remaining 1/2 cup cashews.
  7. Meanwhile, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. Add salt if desired.
  8. Stir in 2 boxes of Modern Table penne pasta. Reduce heat to medium-high (this minimizes foaming). Cook 11-13 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  9. Drain. Add pesto sauce and stir to coat the pasta.
  10. Serve in bowls, garnished with chopped cashews.

Notes

Alternately, soak cashews in hot tap water for 2 hours or in room temperature water overnight.

Nutrition Information

Yield

6

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 73 Total Fat 1g Saturated Fat 0g Trans Fat 0g Unsaturated Fat 0g Cholesterol 0mg Sodium 144mg Carbohydrates 13g Fiber 1g Sugar 0g Protein 3g
The above information is FOR THE SAUCE ONLY. Please see the box of Modern Table Complete Protein Pasta for the nutritional information of the pasta. The nutritional information above is computer-generated and only an estimate. Please do your own research with the products you're using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.
© Carol | From A Chef's Kitchen
Category: Pasta
#sponsored #ad - Penne with Creamy Cashew and Spinach Pesto sauce is an easy, delicious, nutritious plant-based meal that's perfect for a weeknight yet elegant enough for guests! #EatModern #Noodz #ModernTableMeals
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#sponsored #ad - Penne with Creamy Cashew and Spinach Pesto sauce is an easy, delicious, nutritious plant-based meal that's perfect for a weeknight yet elegant enough for guests! #EatModern #Noodz #ModernTableMeals
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