Dairy-Free Cheesy Baked Penne
Indulge in the creamy, comforting flavors of Dairy-Free Cheesy Baked Penne—a plant-based twist on a classic Italian favorite! This hearty dish combines tender penne pasta with a velvety cashew-based cheese sauce, rich in nutritional yeast for that irresistible cheesy flavor. Seasoned with aromatic dried herbs like basil and oregano, and brightened with a touch of lemon juice, this dish is beautifully balanced and satisfying. Fresh spinach and juicy cherry tomatoes add bursts of color and nutrition, while a quick bake in the oven ensures a bubbly, golden top. Perfect for anyone seeking a dairy-free, vegan-friendly comfort meal, this easy, family-sized recipe comes together in under an hour and is sure to become a weeknight staple. Serve warm and let the wholesome flavors shine!
Try SnapCalorie's FREE AI assisted nutrition tracking free in the App store or on Android.
Scan with your phone to download!
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 0.5 cup nutritional yeast
- 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 0.5 tsp sea salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 0.25 tsp nutmeg
Directions
Step 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 2
Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 3
In a bowl, soak the raw cashews in hot water for about 10 minutes to soften them.
Step 4
Drain the cashews and add them to a blender along with the nutritional yeast, almond milk, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil, dried oregano, olive oil, sea salt, black pepper, and nutmeg. Blend until smooth and creamy.
Step 5
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked penne, the cheese sauce, fresh spinach, and cherry tomatoes. Mix until everything is well-coated in the sauce.
Step 6
Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish.
Step 7
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
Step 8
Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Step 9
Serve warm and enjoy your delicious dairy-free cheesy baked penne.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1226.0g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2280.4 |
| Total Fat 90.2g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 14.0g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 1535.3mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 307.4g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 22.7g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 11.5g | |
| Protein 74.9g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 175.7IU | 0% |
| Calcium 1000.0mg | 0% |
| Iron 25.6mg | 0% |
| Potassium 2221.1mg | 0% |
Source of Calories