Spiced Nut-Free Pumpkin Seed Pesto with Zucchini Noodles

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-04 · Updated 2026-05-04

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A vibrant, nut-free pesto made from roasted pumpkin seeds and fresh basil tossed with spiralized zucchini noodles for a light, Whole30-friendly meal. This Mediterranean-inspired Whole30 recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 15 minutes, blends pumpkin seeds, fresh basil leaves, garlic cloves into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 190 calories and feeds 4, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 190 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1/2 cup, roasted pumpkin seeds
2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
2, minced garlic cloves
1/3 cup olive oil
1 tbsp lemon juice
3/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
4 medium, spiralized into noodles zucchini
1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes

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Instructions

Step 1: In a food processor, combine 1/2 cup roasted pumpkin seeds, 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 3/4 tsp sea salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Pulse until coarsely chopped.
Step 2: With the processor running, slowly drizzle in 1/3 cup olive oil until the mixture becomes a smooth pesto, scraping down the sides as needed.
Step 3: Place 4 medium spiralized zucchini noodles in a large bowl. Add the pesto and gently toss to coat the noodles evenly.
Step 4: Fold in 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes and serve immediately for a fresh, crunchy texture.