Dairy-Free Cacio e Pepe
Indulge in the creamy, peppery goodness of Dairy-Free Cacio e Pepe, a plant-based twist on the classic Italian pasta dish. Perfectly al dente spaghetti is tossed in a luscious cashew cream sauce, flavored with nutritional yeast for a cheesy depth, and enhanced by freshly cracked black pepper for that signature kick. This vegan-friendly recipe is quick and easy, coming together in just 35 minutes, yet feels restaurant-quality with its rich, velvety sauce and bold flavors. Whether you're embracing a dairy-free lifestyle or simply looking for a healthier comfort food option, this dish delivers all the indulgence without compromise. Serve it as a satisfying main course or a stunning side dish, and don’t forget to garnish with extra nutritional yeast for that parmesan-like flair!
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Ingredients
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 4 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 cup unsalted cashews
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1.5 cups water
Directions
Step 1
Begin by preparing the cashew cream: Place the unsalted cashews in a bowl, cover them with hot water, and let them soak for 15 minutes.
Step 2
Once soaked, drain the cashews and transfer them to a blender.
Step 3
Add 1.5 cups water, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, and sea salt to the blender. Blend on high speed until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
Step 4
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
Step 5
In a large pan over low heat, add the olive oil and freshly cracked black pepper. Toast the pepper in the oil for about 1 minute, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
Step 6
Add the drained spaghetti to the pan and toss to coat it with the peppery olive oil.
Step 7
Pour the cashew cream over the spaghetti and mix well. If the sauce is too thick, adjust the consistency with the reserved pasta water, adding a little at a time until you reach your desired creaminess.
Step 8
Adjust seasoning with additional sea salt and more cracked black pepper to taste.
Step 9
Serve immediately, garnished with additional nutritional yeast if desired for a cheesy flavor boost.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (775.8g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1476.0 |
| Total Fat 93.5g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 15.9g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 2373.9mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 121.8g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 13.7g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 9.0g | |
| Protein 47.1g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 123.4mg | 0% |
| Iron 14.3mg | 0% |
| Potassium 1354.2mg | 0% |
Source of Calories