Pasta is always a good idea…but this easy vegan Greek fennel pasta with pesto, peppers, chickpeas, and chili oil is an even better idea. Loaded with juicy blistered tomatoes, roasted red peppers, and tender protein-rich chickpeas. All bathed in a vegan pesto chili oil sauce and topped with fresh basil. This Easy Greek Fennel Pasta with pesto, peppers, and chili oil is a tasty eat-whenever-you-want kind of dinner. The creamy pesto and chili oil sauce belong on everything…and I mean everything. From tender pasta penne, rigatoni, whole wheat pasta, or even zucchini pasta. This easy sauce will take any dinner to the next level.
Simone - Munchyesta.com
Prep Time 5 minutesminutes
Cook Time 20 minutesminutes
Serving Size 4people
Ingredients
1FennelSliced
2Bell PeppersSliced
115oz canChickpeasRinsed and drained
½cupPlum Tomatoes
2tbspChili Oil
½tspSea salt or Kosher Salt
2tsp Oregano
1bunchFresh BasilFor garnish, chopped
15oz(400g)Fusilli Pastaor pasta of your choice
Pesto sauce
1bunchFresh Basil
½cupOlive Oil
1cupBaby Arugula Salad
4clovesGarlicMinced
¼cupToasted Pine Nutsor other type of nuts like walnuts or almonds
1Jalapeño pepperSeeds removed
Instructions
Making the Pesto
Add all the pesto ingredients to a blender and blend until the pesto is smooth. Add 1-2 tablespoons extra oil if the pesto is too thick. Scrape the pesto into an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator.
Pasta
Cook the pasta as instructed on the packaging.
Heat chili oil in a non-stick frying pan and add the sliced fennel, peppers, and tomatoes. Fry at medium-high heat while stirring occasionally until the peppers become lightly charred at the edges. Season with salt and oregano and mix.
Once the pasta is cooked, drain away the water and add 5 tablespoons pesto to the pasta. Toss to coat the pasta in the pesto sauce. Serve the pasta topped generously with the roasted vegetables and garnish with fresh basil. Enjoy.