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This Healthy Vegan Spinach & Peas One-Pot Pasta is light, refreshing and full of zesty flavour. Instead of heavy cream, it's tossed in a simple mix of healthy oil, apple cider vinegar, freshly squeezed lemon and nutritional yeast - A perfect springtime lunch, summer BBQ side or quick weeknight meal.
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If you're in the mood for a light, cheesy and nut-free pasta (or aren't in the mood to whip up a dairy-free cashew cream), this is the pasta for you! It's quick, easy, and so satisfying. After the first time I whipped it together, I made it two more times that week because it's seriously that good (and that easy)!
I love making this healthy spinach and peas pasta for lunches, BBQ's and when I need a quick, simple weeknight meal. You only need a handful of ingredients, and it's ready in less than thirty minutes.
What Makes This One-Pot Spinach & Peas Pasta Healthy
Spinach
Spinach may not have the best rap when it comes to flavour. But, it's no joke that it is a nutrient-rich food that helps us grow big and strong!
Great Source of Vitamins & Minerals (Especially Iron)
Spinach is an excellent source of many vitamins and minerals, including vitamins C, K, b12 and folic acid. It's also rich in manganese, magnesium and especially, iron.
Excellent for Eye Health
On top of all that, spinach is one of the richest sources of lutein (a specific carotene), making it an excellent food for eye health.
Green Peas
Peas are another food that don't have a great rap. But, that might be because you haven't had them in a pasta like this! Let's be real, no one likes mushy peas, and these are far from! Plus, they hold a lot more nutrition when they're not cooked to mush.
Good Source of Protein
Peas, like other beans and legumes, are a great source of plant protein. Combined with the grains in the pasta, this Spinach and Pea Penne is a complete protein (meaning all essential amino acids are present).
Great Source of Fibre
Peas are also a great source of fibre. Similar to beans, the fibre present in them is beneficial for heart health and lowering cholesterol.
Apple Cider Vinegar
If you're already on the ACV bandwagon, you'll know how just beneficial it is!
Great for Digestive & Gut Health
Apple cider vinegar is great for digestive and gut health. It can help to increase stomach acid (reducing acid reflux) and promotes a healthy gut flora.
Alkalizing
Apple cider vinegar is a wonderfully alkalizing food, which means it helps balance pH levels in the body. It's full of minerals and enzymes, which are key for alkalinity.
Not to mention, it can help to increase blood oxygen levels, and its malic acid content helps to neutralize toxins.
I should also note, it's always best to buy organic, unpasteurized Apple Cider Vinegar with the mother. That way, you're getting the most nutrients, most beneficial bacteria and minimal pesticides.
Lemon
Great Source of Vitamins & Minerals
Lemon is an excellent source of vitamin C (although it does get destroyed by heat, so be sure to squeeze a little extra on after the pasta is warmed!). It's also a great source of vitamin B6, folic acid and potassium.
Alkalizing & Digestive Stimulant
Like apple cider vinegar, lemon juice has an alkalizing effect on our bodies. It's also a great digestive stimulant, improving appetite, digestion and detoxification.
Nutritional Yeast
Dairy-Free
Nutritional yeast is a non-activated yeast with a cheesy-nutty flavour, making it perfect for dairy-free and vegan cooking! You can also usually find it enriched with vitamin B12, specifically for those on vegan and plant-based diets.
How to Make Healthy Vegan Spinach & Peas One-Pot Pasta With Nutritional Yeast
Making this Healthy Vegan One-Pot Spinach Pasta couldn't be any easier! You only need one pot, about twentyfive minutes and a handful of ingredients.
Cook Pasta
First, you'll need to cook your pasta. Follow the package instructions to do so.
For most pasta, bring a medium-large saucepan of water to a boil. Turn down the heat down to medium-low and add in the pasta.
Different kinds of pasta vary on time (especially depending on if it's fresh, dried or a konjac noodle). So, follow the package instructions on boiling/soaking time.
Once your pasta is cooked, dump the water by pouring through a strainer and rinse the pasta with cold water.
Making This Vegan Spinach & Peas Pasta Gluten-Free
I always make this particular pasta gluten-free. One, because gluten isn't exactly health-promoting. It's inflammatory, mucous forming and damaging to our gut flora. On top of that, it's an excitotoxin (meaning it literally excites our brain cells to death).
Plus, Gogo Quinoa makes the most delicious gluten-free penne! I've only ever used this particular penne for this recipe because it turns out so well every single time.
However, if you don't have access to gluten-free, you can always make it with any pasta you have on hand.
Mix Ingredients In & Heat
Once you've cooked, strained and rinsed your pasta, all you need to do now is mix everything together and heat it up.
So, just pour your strained and rinsed pasta back into the pot. Stir in the avocado oil right away to prevent the pasta from sticking.
Next, pour in the apple cider vinegar and lemon juice, followed by the nutritional yeast, salt, turmeric and a dash of pepper. Mix well before adding in the spinach and peas.
For an extra flavourful pasta, you can use Chive Blossom Infused Vinegar instead of apple cider vinegar.
Once you've added all the ingredients to the pot, place it back on the stove and heat over low.
Continue to stir, making sure all the ingredients are mixed well. Once the spinach begins to wilt, remove the pasta from the heat and serve warm.
When To Enjoy This Vegan Spinach & Peas One-Pot Pasta
As mentioned above, this delicious, cheesy spinach pasta is great for BBQ sides and quick weeknight meals.
Best Season to Enjoy This Healthy One-Pot Spinach & Peas Pasta
Because this One-Pot Spinach & Peas Pasta boasts a sour flavour, it's a great meal to eat during the springtime. When we're in the season of spring, we're in the ether/space/wood element, which constitutes the liver and gallbladder. So, the sour taste is a great way to support these two organs that are responsible for detoxification and the smooth flow of our chi (aka energy).
THIS RECIPE IS...
More Spring Recipes You Might Enjoy
If you try this Healthy Vegan Spinach & Peas One-Pot Pasta recipe, let me know how it turns out by leaving a comment and/or a rating below! And make sure you're following along on, Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook for more wildly nutritious recipes!
Healthy Vegan Spinach & Peas One-Pot Pasta (With Nutritional Yeast)
Ingredients
- 1 package Penne Pasta (I used GoGo Quinoa)
- 3 cups Spinach (chopped)
- 1 cup Frozen Peas
- 3 tbsp Avocado Oil / Olive Oil
- 2 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice (Freshly Squeezed)
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 3 tbsp Nutritional Yeast
- 1 tsp Himalayan / Sea Salt
- Dash of Turmeric Powder
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fill a saucepan with filtered water and bring to a boil. Cook your pasta according to package intructions.
- You will want to cook the pasta al dente since it will be heated again. Once the pasta is cooked, strain and rinse.
- Pour the strained and rinsed pasta back into the pot. Stir 3 tbsp avocado oil right away to prevent the pasta from sticking.
- Next, pour in 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar and 1 tbsp lemon juice, followed by 3 tbsp nutritional yeast, 1 tsp salt, a dash of turmeric and pepper to taste. Mix well before adding in the spinach and peas.
- Once that's all mixed together, add 1 cup peas and 3 cups spinach. Mix well.
- Place back on the stove and heat over medium-low. Continue to stir, making sure all the ingredients are mixed well. Once the spinach begins to wilt, remove the pasta from the heat and serve warm.
Notes
Watch the Video!
Nutrition
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