20-Minute Vegan Alfredo
This vegan Alfredo is ready in 20 minutes. Made with a base of cashews for an Alfredo sauce recipe that's smooth, creamy and full of cheesy flavour. It's an easy, comforting, and healthy recipe!
Servings 5 people
Calories 612kcal
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups raw cashews
- 3 shallots (or 1 yellow onion), chopped
- 4 cloves garlic diced
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 2 cups almond milk
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 2 tbsp lemon juice (about 1/2 lemon)
- 1 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp paprika
For serving:
- 1 package spaghetti noodles (gluten-free, 500g/17.6 oz)
- 1/4 cup parsley curly, finely chopped (optional)
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes to sprinkle (optional)
Instructions
- Add cashews to a small bowl and fill with boiling water. Set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. (This is for your noodles).
- To make the Alfredo Sauce: Melt the coconut oil in a small skillet on medium heat. Add the chopped shallots and garlic. Cook until softened, about 5 mins.
- Transfer the shallot mixture to a blender. Strain the cashews and add them to the blender along with almond milk, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, sea salt, pepper and paprika. Blend on high for 1-minute, until smooth. Set aside.
- Add the spaghetti noodles to the pot of boiling water and cook until al-dente, about 7 mins. Strain and transfer the noodles back to the pot. Pour the Alfredo sauce over noodles and mix to combine. Serve in bowls, optional to sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley and chilli flakes.
Video
Notes
Soaking raw cashews in advance is preferred for smoother and creamier consistency. Although it's not necessary. The recipe will still work without soaking. I like to soak my cashews for at least two hour, or overnight. Speed up soak time to 1 hour by pouring boiling water into bowl of cashews.
Do ahead: Vegan Alfredo sauce can be made in advance, and will keep in fridge for up to 5 days. When ready to use, warm in sauce pan or microwave.
Freeze this recipe: Vegan Alfredo sauce can be frozen in an air tight container for up to one month. Let thaw before using. When ready to use, warm in saucepan or microwave.
Make it nut free: by subbing hemp hearts for cashews (no soaking necessary). Sub soy or oat milk for almond milk.
Nutrition information is a rough estimate.
Nutrition
Calories: 612kcal | Carbohydrates: 84g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Sodium: 845mg | Potassium: 594mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 413IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 170mg | Iron: 4mg