An amazing plant-based, vegan-friendly, soy-free, dairy-free, and gluten-free Feta-Pesto Pasta recipe that makes approximately 6 servings, and takes about 5-10 minutes to prepare, with an additional 40 minutes for cook time.
Pasta is a must in my Italian household. When the TikTok Feta Pasta trend started, I just knew I had to make a version suitable for my home. We love garlic and feta and there was no way this was going to pass by me. My original recipe wasn't gluten-free, but I have since, updated it to ensure, it meets all my current dietary needs. It has officially passed the test, which is why I am writing this.
The ingredients aren't perfect but to enjoy maybe once a month, I don't mind. Especially considering the ingredients in standard feta cheeses are made from milk. Studies have found that "early cow's milk exposure" seems to "increase the risk" of type 1 diabetes by about 50 percent (1). Not to mention approximately 30 million to 50 million Americans are lactose intolerant, including up to 75 percent of African Americans and American Indians and 90 percent of Asian Americans, myself included. That's not even counting that traditional dairy is linked to an increased risk of broken bones, diabetes, ovarian cancer, antibiotic resistance, and is brimming with saturated fat, somatic cells (pus), and hormones. To learn more regarding The Truth About Cow's Milk, click here.
Plant-based alternatives for cheese are tasty, but it's essential to understand that not all plant-based options are created equally. For instance, although soybeans do have some health benefits, we must remember that most non-organic soy products are brimming with GMOs, causing less nutritional value and more toxic effects due to the chemicals involved in the genetic modification process. Soybeans contain compounds like phytate, which may interfere with the body's ability to absorb vitamins and minerals crucial for vegan and plant-based dietary demands. These same anti-nutrient compounds may also cause digestive issues due to a reduction in the gut's barrier functions resulting in inflammation that causes these digestive problems. To learn more regarding The Truth About Soy Products, click here.
Hence why I usually recommend using plant-based alternatives such as Violife for the feta cheese in this recipe. Violife's feta cheese has ingredients like filtered water, coconut oil, potato starch, salt (sea salt), glucono delta lactone, flavor (vegan sources), olive extract, and vitamin B12.
So without further ado, I introduce an Italian dish with a Greek-inspired twist that my husband and I love. I think it's safe to say that you'll enjoy it, too. Since I am allergic to soy and have adapted to a plant-based lifestyle (no meat or dairy), this recipe is vegan-friendly, plant-based, soy-free, dairy-free, and gluten-free. This dish can be served as a main course and pairs perfectly with Feta-Pesto Garlic Bread.
What's your favorite side to enjoy with pasta?
