Dinner

Easy Edamame Pesto Pasta Recipe

ByMariam Harutyunyan August 29, 2025August 29, 2025

If you’re searching for a delicious new weeknight dinner, look no further than Easy Edamame Pesto Pasta. This bright, lively dish whirls together creamy edamame, fresh spinach, fragrant basil, and zippy lemon all tossed with your favorite pasta for a meal that’s as satisfying as it is stunning. It’s totally plant-based, completely customizable, and comes together in a snap—ideal for busy nights or whenever you crave a bowlful of green goodness.

Easy Edamame Pesto Pasta Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gather just a handful of vibrant ingredients to create the signature taste and look of Easy Edamame Pesto Pasta. Each component offers its own touch of flavor and nutrition, making every bite sing and every step worthwhile.

Cooked edamame: Protein-packed and creamy, these add great texture and a boost of plant-based nutrition.

Baby spinach leaves: Give the pesto its vivid green color and a subtle earthiness that pairs perfectly with basil.
Fresh basil: Classic pesto flavor and an aroma that fills your kitchen with summer vibes.

Plain, unsweetened non-dairy milk: Helps create a creamy, smooth pesto without any heaviness.
Lemon juice: Brightens up every bite, balancing out the richness and adding a zesty finish.

Salt: Essential for drawing out all the flavors—don’t skip this!
Dry pasta (whole wheat bowties or your favorite): A hearty canvas to carry all that flavor-packed pesto.
Olive oil: Adds silkiness and a slight fruity note to the dish.

Shallots: Mild, sweet onions that bring a subtle depth to the final flavor.
Garlic: Just the right amount of punch and aroma—because what’s pesto without garlic?
Reserved pasta cooking water: Secret weapon for bringing the sauce together and helping it cling to the pasta.

How to Make Easy Edamame Pesto Pasta

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Drop in your pasta of choice and cook until al dente, following the instructions on your package. Just before draining, use a mug or measuring cup to scoop out about half a cup of the pasta water—this liquid gold will help your sauce come together later! Drain the pasta (no need to rinse!), then set it aside.

Step 2: Whip Up the Edamame Pesto

In your food processor, add the cooked edamame and pulse a few times until they’re chopped pretty small—you’re looking for a coarse texture here. Next, add the spinach, basil, non-dairy milk, lemon juice, and salt. Pulse again, scraping down the sides if necessary, until you have a finely chopped, spoonable pesto. Taste and adjust with an extra squeeze of lemon or a pinch more salt if you like things bright and zesty.

Step 3: Sauté Shallots and Garlic

While the pasta cooks (multi-tasking for the win!), warm a teaspoon of olive oil in a big pan over medium heat. Add your diced shallots and let them soften and caramelize, stirring every so often until they turn golden and fragrant—this should take just a few minutes. Toss in the garlic and sauté for about 60 seconds until the aroma fills your kitchen.

Step 4: Bring Everything Together

Now, the magic happens! Add the cooked pasta to the pan, pour in that reserved pasta water, and spoon in all the gorgeous edamame pesto you just made. Use a silicone spatula (or any gentle kitchen tool) to fold everything together. Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir frequently, letting the sauce thicken up and coat every piece of pasta, warming through. Remove from the heat, give it a quick taste, and adjust the seasoning if needed.

How to Serve Easy Edamame Pesto Pasta

Garnishes

Top your Easy Edamame Pesto Pasta with extra torn basil leaves, a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts or sunflower seeds, and a twist of freshly ground black pepper. For an extra pop of color and tang, add a few ribbons of lemon zest or even thinly sliced radishes.

Side Dishes

This pasta pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad, roasted cherry tomatoes, or grilled vegetables. Some warm, crusty bread is perfect for swiping up every last bit of that vibrant pesto sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun, social twist, serve individual bowls topped with family-style toppings so everyone can build their perfect Easy Edamame Pesto Pasta. You can also pile the pasta into lettuce leaves for a playful, hand-held appetizer, or pack it up for a colorful and satisfying picnic salad.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have extras (lucky you!), transfer the pasta to an airtight container. Drizzle with a tiny bit of olive oil and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors meld and become even more delicious with a little time.

Freezing

While the pesto itself freezes like a charm, pasta can get a bit soft after thawing. For best results, freeze just the pesto in small containers or ice cube trays, then thaw and fold into freshly cooked pasta whenever the craving for Easy Edamame Pesto Pasta strikes.

Reheating

Reheat the pasta gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of non-dairy milk or reserved pasta water to help revive the creamy texture. Stir until warmed through and finish with a fresh hit of lemon juice if you like.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of non-dairy milk?

Absolutely! If you’re not avoiding dairy, regular milk works fine. Just stick with plain, unsweetened varieties so the flavors of the herbs and edamame shine through.

Is there a nut-free alternative to pine nuts for garnishes?

Yes! Sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds make excellent crunchy toppings that keep Easy Edamame Pesto Pasta nut-free and allergy-friendly.

What’s the best pasta shape for this dish?

Bowties (farfalle) are great because they hold onto the pesto in all their nooks and crannies, but really, any pasta shape will work—from spirals to penne to linguine. Use your favorite!

Can I make the pesto in advance?

Definitely. The edamame pesto can be whipped up ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to a month. Just stir well before tossing with hot pasta.

How can I make this dish even greener?

Feel free to throw in extra greens—pea shoots, arugula, or even lightly steamed broccoli can all join the party, making Easy Edamame Pesto Pasta extra nutritious and fresh.

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready to shake up your pasta routine, give Easy Edamame Pesto Pasta a try! With its incredible color, flavor, and nourishing ingredients, it’s sure to become a go-to favorite you’ll want to share with friends and family again and again.

Mariam Harutyunyan

Easy Edamame Pesto Pasta Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need