Vegan Alfredo Sauce
Thanks to cashews, you can whip up an incredibly creamy and velvety smooth Alfredo sauce without using any dairy! No need to hunt for a specialty item like nut milk; we'll create our very own cashew cream. Simply soak the cashews in milk and blend them up. One important tip: If you have a weaker blender, it's best to soak the cashews for the full 12 hours.To achieve that cheesy flavor, we've incorporated vegan parm and nutritional yeast. Nutritional yeast, a vegan ingredient packed with umami, serves as an excellent substitute for parmesan. If you can't find vegan cheese, feel free to add a bit more nutritional yeast.To add a bright burst of heat and freshness, fresh cracked black pepper does the trick. If you're looking to enhance the fresh flavor further, try torn basil or parsley.As for the pasta, while the classic Alfredo is traditionally made with fettuccine, since we're already embracing creativity with the sauce, why not experiment with another fun pasta shape? Rigatoni is one of our favorites, but if you're in the mood for something long, give bucatini a try. Enjoy the delightful taste and texture of this unique and dairy-free Alfredo sauce!
Ingredients
- 1 c. cashews
- 1 lb. fettuccine
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 c. water, plus more as needed
- 1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 c. vegan parmesan, grated
- 2 tsp. nutritional yeast
- Kosher Salt
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, add cashews and enough water to cover. Soak for 4 hours, or up to 12 hours, until they have softened. This will help to blend cashews into a fine paste. (If you don’t have a high-powered blender, the closer to 12 hours the better.)
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Blend cashews, garlic,½cup water, and olive oil on high for 1 to 2 minutes, or until mixture is completely smooth. Transfer mixture to a small saucepan and heat on medium-low for 1 minute, or until mixture is warm.
- Add Parmesan and yeast, stirring to incorporate.If sauce is too thick, gradually add water, stirring to combine, until desired thickness is reached.
- Season sauce to taste with salt and a generous amount of fresh black pepper. Add boiled pasta to sauce and toss to coat.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!