Creamy Cashew Alfredo
Raw cashews, soaked and blended with garlic, nutritional yeast, and pasta water, form the base of this sauce — no dairy needed to get a thick, coating consistency. Toss it with your preferred pasta shape straight from the pot for the best results. The whole dish comes together in about 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Sauce
- 1 cup raw cashews soaked in water for 2-4 hours and drained
- 1 cup water adjust for desired consistency
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast adds cheesy flavor
- 1 clove garlic peeled
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
- ¼ teaspoon salt to taste
- 1 pinch black pepper freshly ground, to taste
Pasta
- 12 ounces fettuccine gluten-free if desired
- 2 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
- ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped, for garnishing
Instructions
- If not already done, soak the raw cashews in water for 2-4 hours prior to preparation. Drain and rinse before use.
- In a blender, combine the soaked cashews, water, nutritional yeast, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Blend on high speed until smooth and creamy. Adjust the water for the desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Cook the fettuccine according to package instructions in a pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and return to the pot.
- Heat olive oil in the pot with the pasta over low heat. Pour the creamy cashew sauce over the pasta and gently toss to coat evenly. Heat through without boiling, stirring occasionally.
- Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley, a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper, and a dash of nutritional yeast if desired.
Notes
To enhance the sauce's depth, consider adding a pinch of ground nutmeg or a splash of white wine during blending. For a gluten-free version, ensure to use gluten-free pasta.
Nutrition
Calories: 585kcalCarbohydrates: 73gProtein: 20gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 71mgSodium: 172mgPotassium: 527mgFiber: 5gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 369IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 51mgIron: 4mg
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