Dairy-Free Penne Pasta with Cheese Sauce
Indulge in the creamy comfort of Dairy-Free Penne Pasta with Cheese Sauce, a luscious plant-based twist on a classic favorite. Perfect for those avoiding dairy, this recipe features tender penne coated in a velvety "cheese" sauce made from soaked cashews, unsweetened almond milk, and nutritional yeast, delivering a cheesy flavor without the cheese. Hints of garlic, onion, and turmeric add depth and color, while fresh lemon juice brightens the dish. Ready in just 40 minutes, this easy pasta recipe is a weeknight hero that's as wholesome as it is indulgent. Serve it warm with a sprinkle of parsley or extra nutritional yeast for a crowd-pleasing, dairy-free meal that's both satisfying and delicious.
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Ingredients
- 12 ounces Penne pasta
- 2 cups Unsweetened almond milk
- 0.5 cup Nutritional yeast
- 0.5 cup Raw cashews
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon Turmeric powder
- 1 cup Water
Directions
Step 1
Begin by soaking the raw cashews in boiling water for at least 15 minutes to soften them. This can be done while preparing the other ingredients.
Step 2
In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add a teaspoon of salt and the penne pasta. Cook according to the package instructions until the pasta is al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 3
After soaking, drain the cashews and add them to a blender. Combine with almond milk, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon juice, olive oil, turmeric, salt, and black pepper. Blend until completely smooth and creamy. This will form the base of your dairy-free cheese sauce.
Step 4
In a large skillet over medium heat, add the cashew cheese mixture. Stir continuously with a whisk to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the skillet. Slowly incorporate 1 cup of water as it warms to achieve your desired sauce consistency.
Step 5
Once the sauce is heated through, add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet. Toss the pasta, ensuring it is evenly coated with the sauce. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
Step 6
Serve the dairy-free penne pasta warm, garnished with a sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or a pinch more nutritional yeast, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1203.5g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1921.1 |
| Total Fat 65.0g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 9.4g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 2679.2mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 280.6g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 17.3g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 4.3g | |
| Protein 61.7g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 175.7IU | 0% |
| Calcium 901.2mg | 0% |
| Iron 19.2mg | 0% |
| Potassium 1498.3mg | 0% |
Source of Calories