Bacon-less Leek, Chard, Walnut, Vegan Spaghetti

My Go-To Weeknight Vegan Spaghetti

Let me tell you, life as a mom is a whirlwind! Between school runs, work deadlines, and keeping the house from completely imploding, finding time for anything, let alone a healthy, delicious dinner, feels like a Herculean task. That's why I'm always on the lookout for recipes that are quick, easy, and satisfying – and this vegan spaghetti dish has become my absolute go-to weeknight meal. Forget complicated techniques or obscure ingredients; this recipe is all about simple, fresh flavors that come together beautifully.

It all started a few months ago when I was trying to cut down on meat consumption, not only for health reasons but also for environmental concerns. I’d heard about the environmental impact of meat production, and I wanted to do my part to make a change. Finding vegan recipes that my whole family would actually enjoy was a challenge, but this one? It was a winner from the first bite. Even my picky eaters cleaned their plates!

The beauty of this recipe is its versatility. Feel free to experiment with different vegetables – spinach instead of chard works brilliantly – or add some sun-dried tomatoes for extra depth of flavor. If you have some leftover roasted vegetables from another meal, throw them in! The creamy cashew topping brings a lovely richness, while the toasted walnuts add a satisfying crunch. This recipe is all about quick-cooking, readily available ingredients, to bring a fresh and tasty meal to the table quickly and efficiently.

The process is incredibly straightforward. Start by toasting the walnuts – it takes just a few minutes – and then prepare the leeks and garlic. The leeks provide a wonderful sweetness, while the garlic adds a nice pungent bite. The swiss chard is simply sautéed with a splash of white wine – I love how it adds a subtle sophistication to the dish. Then, it’s just a matter of cooking the gluten-free pasta (I use Jovial brand, but feel free to use your favorite!), combining everything in a pan, and tossing it all together. The lemon juice at the end brightens the flavors perfectly.

This recipe has become a staple in our household. It's nutritious, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying, making it the perfect solution for busy weeknights. It also satisfies my desire to reduce meat consumption and have a healthier life style without sacrificing taste or ease. It’s so quick to make, and because I usually have most of the ingredients on hand, it's ready in less than 30 minutes. Honestly, I can't recommend this recipe enough – give it a try, and I bet it will become your new go-to as well!

I’ve found that meal planning is key to managing the chaos of family life, and recipes like this one make it easy. The versatility allows me to use whatever vegetables I have on hand. For the topping, I sometimes add some nutritional yeast for that extra cheesy flavour. It’s adaptable and is a good source of protein for a meatless dish.

So, if you’re looking for a delicious, easy, and healthy vegan spaghetti recipe that will please the whole family, look no further. This one is a winner, and I’m so excited to share it with you. I promise you won't be disappointed! It's so easy, that even with busy schedule it fits perfectly.

What are your go-to weeknight meals? Share your tips and tricks in the comments below!

Step-by-step

• Toast walnuts on stovetop on medium heat, do not burn. When cooled chop coarsely.
• Bring large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta, cook following directions.
• In large skillet add olive oil, leeks, and garlic, brown on medium low heat for 5 minutes.
• Add wine to skillet cook down for 5 minutes, add swiss chard until lightly wilted.
• Add cooked pasta to the pan or transfer to large serving dish.
• Toss the pasta and leek mixture along with cheese topping.
• Squeeze lemon over the top and sprinkle walnuts over the top.
• If you would like more moisture to the pasta add a 1/4 vegan chicken broth.
• Add macadamia nuts, dried garbanzo beans, and nutritional yeast to food processor, process or grind until it becomes a fine powder, approximately 1 minute.