Before developing lactose intolerance, pasta dishes like homemade fettuccine Alfredo were in my weekly dinner rotation. But it’s possible to make a dairy-free Alfredo sauce—and it’s easier than you’d think.
The secret to this vegan Alfredo sauce is soaked cashews. When you blend raw cashews with water, it creates a silky smooth cashew cream, with little to no taste. It’s the perfect plant-based sauce base!
Don’t miss our full list of surprising ways to cook with cashews.
What Is the Best Pasta Shape for Vegan Alfredo Sauce?
There’s a reason why fettuccine Alfredo is a classic. Fettuccine has a wide, thick shape that allows for the maximum amount of creamy sauce in each bite. Other long noodles like pappardelle and linguine work well with vegan Alfredo sauce, too. If you’re curious about pasta, check out our ultimate guide to pasta shapes so you never have to guess which noodle to use for your homemade pasta sauce. You can also use gluten-free pasta.
Our Easy Vegan Alfredo Sauce Recipe
This recipe makes 4 to 6 servings.
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 3 garlic cloves, peeled
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 16 ounces pasta
Directions
Step 1: Soak the cashews
Don’t skip this step! If you don’t soften your cashews, the end result will be a grainy and gritty sauce.
I recommend soaking the raw cashews overnight in room temperature water. If you’re in a rush, place the cashews in a small saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil and then remove from heat. Let sit for 15 minutes.
Once the cashews have soaked, drain the water and rinse them.
Step 2: Cook the pasta
To make vegan fettuccine Alfredo, start by cooking pasta al dente according to package instructions. Reserve about 2 cups of pasta water in a measuring cup, then drain and return pasta to pot.
Step 3: Prepare the sauce
While the pasta is cooking, add the cashews and remaining ingredients to a food processor or blender. Blend until completely smooth, scraping down the sides of the food processor or blender, as needed.
For a looser sauce, thin with reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached. (This is why you should save your pasta water!)
Step 4: Taste and adjust seasonings
Give your vegan Alfredo sauce a taste and add more seasonings, if desired.
Step 5: Toss pasta with sauce
Transfer the Alfredo sauce to the pot with pasta. Gently stir to coat each piece of pasta. Serve with a fresh vegan salad or one of these easy vegan recipes.
Tips for Making Vegan Alfredo Sauce
You can make vegan pasta recipes that will have people asking for seconds! Here are a few tips to help you make the best vegan Alfredo sauce at home.
- To thicken the sauce a bit, bring it to a simmer. If you’ve reserved pasta water, adding it to the sauce will help glue the pasta and sauce together, giving it a thicker consistency as well.
- The sauce will thicken up as it’s stored, too. When reheating, add a splash of dairy-free milk or water.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to five days.
- No cashews? No problem! You can replace the cashews with peeled almonds or macadamia nuts.
- For a lighter version of vegan Alfredo sauce, make a roux with 1 tablespoon each of plant-based butter and flour. Once the mixture is bubbling, after about 2 to 3 minutes, whisk in 1/2 cup of cold plain unsweetened non-dairy milk alternative. Bring to a boil and cook until the mixture is nice and thick.
- This versatile cashew cheese sauce is also delicious served atop vegetables, paired with any pasta, smothered on pizza and more. Look through recipes that start with Alfredo sauce for even more ideas.
Vegan Marinara Sauce
My mother, who was Italian American, called marinara sauce "gravy." She made this marinara sauce recipe in big batches several times a month, so it was a staple on our dinner table. A mouthwatering aroma filled the house each time she cooked it. —James Grimes, Frenchtown, New Jersey Discover even more crave-worthy vegan recipes that the whole family will enjoy.
Vegan Bolognese Sauce
Finally, you can enjoy a hearty bolognese sauce without the meat—and no, it's not even made with tofu! This recipe from Veggies Don't Bite gets its rich, meaty texture and taste from a "soffritto" made up of caramelized carrots, onions and celery and a dash of liquid smoke.
Vegan Alfredo Sauce
Who says you need butter and cheese to make alfredo sauce? Nutritional yeast, cauliflower and cashews makes up this oh-so-creamy vegan version from Love & Lemons. Spoon it over a big bowl of fettuccine for an easy dinner.
Vegan Garden Vegetable Tomato Sauce
I make this vegetable tomato sauce regularly and store containers of it in my freezer. It's a tasty substitute for regular pasta sauce, and the extra vegetables make it healthier. I also use it when I make pizza. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts
Vegan Mushroom Sauce
If you're looking for a quick and easy vegan pasta sauce, this is your recipe! Alpha Foodie's mushroom pasta sauce comes together in 20 minutes with easy-to-find ingredients. It's a no-fuss weeknight dinner no one will be able to resist!
Vegan Pesto Sauce
You only need to dirty one dish to make this fabulous vegan pesto from Food with Feeling. Using only a food processor, this meat- and dairy-free sauce is perfect to make if you're short on dishes (and time). Have you tried this secret ingredient when making vegan pasta sauce?
Vegan Bechamel Sauce
Try Loving It Vegan's bechamel sauce that mimics the classic. Use it up in lasagna, mac and cheese or as a creamy sauce for a plate of veggies.
Vegan Garlic Pasta Sauce
Another cozy and velvety vegan sauce to add to your repertoire! You can't go wrong with Minimalist Baker's 30-minute garlic sauce for pasta night. Roasted tomatoes and sauteed garlic make any dish 100% better. Want to cook up a full vegan pasta meal? We've got you covered.The post How to Make Vegan Alfredo Sauce appeared first on Taste of Home.
Jenna Urben