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    Home » Recipes » Pasta

    Gemelli Pasta with Pesto, Cherry Tomatoes and Spinach

    Published: Mar 30, 2022 · Modified: May 6, 2022 by Abi Cowell · As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases · See my privacy policy linked in footer · This blog uses cookies

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    pinterest image

    Just 4 ingredients and you'll have a delicious and flavorful one pot dinner ready to go with this pesto gemelli pasta studded with spinach and cherry tomatoes. Bursting with fresh basil flavor, this easy vegan veggie pesto pasta can be served warm or cold as a pesto pasta salad.

    Jump to:
    • 🧄 Ingredient notes
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • ☕️ Tea pairing
    • ❓ FAQ
    • 🔄 Variations
    • 💜 More recipes you'll love
    • 📖 Recipe
    pasta dish in white bowl, garnished by basil

    🧄 Ingredient notes

    ingredients

    This simple and quick veggie pesto pasta requires just a few ingredients:

    • gemelli pasta (or other medium pasta, like casarecce pasta, fusilli, rotini, penne or medium shells)
    • vegan green basil pesto (either homemade or store-bought. I used an oil-free pesto, but use what you have - pesto is so good!)
    • cherry tomatoes
    • fresh baby spinach
    • sea salt and black pepper, to taste
    • Lemon wedges and fresh basil leaves, for garnish

    Looking for the measurements? Please scroll down to the recipe card at the end of this post for the ingredient quantities.

    🔪 Instructions

    Perfect for a weeknight dinner, you can pull this meal together in less than 30 minutes and just one pot. It's a matter of boiling your gemelli pasta, cutting your tomatoes, then mixing in the vegan pesto and veggies. Season with salt and pepper and devour!

    process step by step to make this pasta
    closeup of pesto pasta on fork

    Looking for the temps and times? Please scroll down to the recipe card at the end of this post for all the step by step details on ingredients and instructions. There's also a print recipe button down there!

    ☕️ Tea pairing

    This vegetarian pesto pasta recipe would be delicious paired with mint tea, since basil is part of the mint family. When served cold as a vegan pesto pasta salad, pair with classic southern iced tea.

    ❓ FAQ

    How do I store gemelli pasta?

    Store this gemelli pasta dish in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.

    What can I do with leftovers of gemelli pasta?

    Leftover gemelli pasta that is plain can be used to make pasta salad or baked pasta. Leftover gemelli pesto pasta with cherry tomatoes and spinach can be served cold as a pasta salad or heated in the microwave or oven.

    Is gemelli pasta vegan?

    Yes, dried gemelli pasta is vegan, as it does not include egg as one of the ingredients. Fresh gemelli pasta that is prepared with eggs would not be considered vegan.

    What is gemelli pasta?

    Gemelli is an s-shaped pasta that is formed in to a tight spiral shape. It is medium size pasta that is excellent for pasta salads and baked pasta.

    Where to buy gemelli pasta?

    Organic gemelli pasta can be purchased at Costco in the United States. It can also be purchased in grocery stores that carry a wide variety of pasta or you can buy gemelli pasta online at Amazon.

    What to make with gemelli pasta?

    Gemelli pasta, with it's spiral shape, holds sauce well. It is excellent for pesto pasta, pasta salads and pasta with veggie sauce.

    Is gemelli pasta gluten free?

    Traditional gemelli pasta is not gluten free, as it is made with wheat flour. Some gemelli pasta, that is made with gluten-free flour like rice, chickpea, lentils, for example, are gluten-free.

    pasta in bowl with fork, napkin, lemon and basil leaves

    🔄 Variations

    Creamy pesto pasta

    Add a few tablespoons of vegan sour cream to this pesto pasta with veggies to make it creamy and rich. I recommend using my cashew cream recipe to accomplish this (pictured below), it tastes amazing!

    creamy pesto pasta with veggies

    💜 More recipes you'll love

    If you love this veggie pesto pasta recipe, check out these other veggie pasta dishes, all vegan, vegetarian and plant-based!

    • Conchiglie Pasta in Cauliflower Béchamel Sauce with Kale and Corn
    • Spaghetti with Hearty Mushroom Marinara Sauce
    • Angel Hair Pasta Primavera with Asparagus and Peas (vegan)
    • Casarecce Pasta with Mediterranean Vegetables

    Love this recipe? Please rate it 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below in the recipe card. And, if you make it, please tag me on Instagram or Facebook in your posted photos! I would love to see your creations. 😄

    📖 Recipe

    pasta dish in white bowl, garnished by basil

    Gemelli Pasta with Pesto, Tomatoes and Spinach

    Abi Cowell
    Just 4 ingredients and you'll have a delicious and flavorful dinner ready to go with this pesto gemelli pasta studded with spinach and cherry tomatoes. Bursting with fresh basil flavor, this easy vegan veggie pesto pasta can be served warm or cold as a pesto pasta salad.
    5 from 2 votes
    Estimated Cost: $5
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Pasta
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 4
    Calories 524 kcal

    Equipment

    • Stock Pot to cook pasta
    • Colander or strainer
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 16 ounces gemelli pasta 1 package
    • ⅓ cup vegan pesto green basil pesto, either homemade or store-bought
    • 8 ounces cherry tomatoes halved
    • 8 ounces fresh baby spinach
    • Salt and black pepper to taste
    • Lemon wedges and fresh basil leaves for garnish

    Instructions
     

    • Bring a large pot of well-salted water to boil. Once it is boiling, add gemelli pasta to water and stir. Cook according to package directions, until tender.
    • When pasta is done, turn off heat and immediately stir in all of the spinach in the pasta water. The spinach will wilt within seconds. Drain all the water out of the pot and return the pasta and spinach to the pot.
    • Stir in pesto and tomatoes. Taste and add salt and pepper, as needed. Serve hot right away with lemon wedges and fresh basil leaves, if available. Or, chill and serve as a cold pesto pasta salad.

    Notes

    Substitutions:
    Gemelli pasta can be substituted with fusilli, spirals, shells, macaroni, casarecce, rotini, penne, penne rigate or other medium pasta.
    Spinach can be substituted with kale or swiss chard.
    Fresh cherry tomatoes can be subsituted with diced fresh roma tomatoes.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1portionCalories: 524kcalCarbohydrates: 91gProtein: 18gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 251mgPotassium: 693mgFiber: 6gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 6011IUVitamin C: 29mgCalcium: 119mgIron: 4mg
    Keyword gemelli pasta with pesto, tomatoes and spinach
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Pasta

    • Sweet Basil Marinara Sauce (oil-free, vegan)
    • Vegan Mac and Cheese (without cashews)
    • Sesame Noodles (vegan)
    • Vegan One Pot Pasta Puttanesca

    About Abi Cowell

    Hey y'all! I’m the plant-based food blogger, recipe developer, photographer and cooking class instructor behind Very Veganish. Join me as we explore and taste incredible plant-based food, with cultural influences from around the world. You’ll find healthy comfort food vegan recipes and inspiration here. When I'm not cooking, you'll find me homeschooling my two boys, volunteering and trying to survive the Texas summers with copious glasses of iced tea.

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    Hi! I'm Abi, a plant-based food blogger. Join me as we explore cultures of the world through their food. You'll find healthy comfort food recipes and inspiration here. No judgment. Just food.

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