Ariana Grande is not just a pop icon; she’s also a fan of cooking at home. In a recent SmartLess podcast episode, she revealed her favorite go-to meal, which is simple yet delicious: pasta with homemade vegan pesto and roasted mushrooms.
“I’m vegan, so I love to roast mushrooms of different variants and make a vegan pesto,” Grande explained. “I’m Italian, so we have to have that [pasta].”
As an Italian and vegan, Grande combines traditional flavors with plant-based creativity. She loves pasta but swaps dairy-heavy sauces for vibrant vegan alternatives, with roasted mushrooms adding a rich, earthy flavor to the dish.
Recreating this meal at home is easy. Start by cooking your preferred pasta—whole grain, gluten-free, or handmade—until it’s al dente. For the mushrooms, Grande recommends roasting cremini, button, or oyster mushrooms with olive oil, salt, and pepper at 450°F for 15 to 20 minutes until crispy and golden.
For the vegan pesto, substitute Parmesan with nutritional yeast for a cheesy undertone while letting basil, garlic, pine nuts, and olive oil shine. Toss the pesto with your pasta and a splash of reserved pasta water to create a silky, restaurant-quality coating.
Top the pesto-coated pasta with the roasted mushrooms, and you have a flavorful, plant-based meal that’s both vibrant and satisfying.
Not vegan? You can still enjoy this dish by adding cheese, like in the Smashed Mushrooms with Pesto & Burrata recipe.
Whether you’re a fan of Ariana or just looking for a new dinner idea, this meal is quick enough for a weeknight and impressive enough for a dinner party.
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