Vegan Creamy Cashew Alfredo (Print View)

Silky cashew-based Alfredo sauce coats fresh zucchini noodles in this quick, indulgent dairy-free pasta alternative.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Zucchini Noodles

01 - 4 medium zucchini, spiralized
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

→ Creamy Cashew Alfredo Sauce

04 - 1 cup raw cashews, soaked in hot water for 20 minutes and drained
05 - 1 cup unsweetened plant-based milk such as almond or oat
06 - 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
08 - 2 cloves garlic, peeled
09 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
10 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Optional Toppings

12 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
13 - 1 tablespoon toasted pine nuts
14 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Method:

01 - Spiralize the zucchini and gently pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add zucchini noodles and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly tender. Season with sea salt, remove from heat, and set aside.
03 - In a high-speed blender, combine drained soaked cashews, plant-based milk, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, garlic, onion powder, sea salt, and black pepper. Blend until completely smooth and creamy, scraping down sides as needed.
04 - Pour the sauce into a saucepan and warm over low heat for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently until heated through. Add additional plant milk if the sauce is too thick.
05 - Toss the warm zucchini noodles with the creamy Alfredo sauce until evenly coated.
06 - Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley, toasted pine nuts, and extra black pepper if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's ready in just 30 minutes, perfect for weeknight dinners
  • The sauce is incredibly versatile – try it on pasta, steamed vegetables, or as a dip
  • It's naturally gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan while being satisfyingly creamy
  • Zucchini noodles keep it light and low-carb without sacrificing flavor
02 -
  • Make the sauce ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days for quick weeknight meals
  • If you don't have a spiralizer, use a vegetable peeler to create wide ribbons of zucchini instead
  • The sauce will thicken as it cools; thin with additional plant milk when reheating
  • Briefly sauté the zucchini noodles just before serving to prevent them from releasing too much water
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