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Gluten-Free Easy Walnut and Kale Pesto Pasta

Name: Gluten-Free Easy Walnut and Kale Pesto Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Ingredients: 12 oz gluten-free pasta (such as penne or fusilli); 3 cups kale leaves, stems removed and chopped; 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted (see ingredient replacements for nut-free options); 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1/4 cup nutritional yeast; 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil; 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed; 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste; 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1/4 cup water or reserved pasta cooking water; fresh basil leaves and lemon zest

By Freeflourish Editorial TeamPublished Apr 28, 2026 | Updated Jul 7, 2026

Italian-inspired 25 mins glutenfreedairyfreefamilyfriendlyeasyquickrecipesmaincourse

Gluten-Free Easy Walnut and Kale Pesto Pasta with measured ingredients, 25-minute timing, 4-serving yield, and step-by-step instructions for gluten-free meals, baking, snacks, and desserts.

Prep 10 min

Cook 15 min

Total 25 min

Servings 4

Difficulty easy

Cuisine Italian-inspired

Ingredients

Servings 4

12 oz gluten-free pasta (such as penne or fusilli)
3 cups kale leaves, stems removed and chopped
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted (see ingredient replacements for nut-free options)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup water or reserved pasta cooking water
fresh basil leaves and lemon zest

FreeFlourish Gluten-Free Easy Vegan Walnut and Kale Pesto Pasta ingredients

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the gluten-free pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta cooking water before draining.
While the pasta cooks, prepare the walnut and kale pesto: In a food processor, combine the toasted walnuts, chopped kale, minced garlic, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
Pulse the ingredients a few times to break them down slightly.
With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil and water (start with 1/4 cup), blending until the pesto reaches your desired creamy consistency. Add more water if needed to thin it out.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice as desired to brighten flavors.
Toss the drained pasta immediately with the walnut and kale pesto until evenly coated. If pesto is too thick, stir in reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to loosen.
Serve the pasta warm, garnished with fresh basil leaves and lemon zest for a refreshing finish.
Enjoy this quick, healthy, and flavorful gluten-free vegan walnut and kale pesto pasta as a perfect family-friendly main course!