Dairy-Free Penne Pasta with Creamy Sauce
Indulge in the velvety richness of our Dairy-Free Penne Pasta with Creamy Sauce—a plant-based twist on a classic comfort food that’s perfect for anyone seeking a dairy-free, nutritious, and wholesome meal. This recipe features a luscious cashew cream sauce, blended to perfection with a hint of garlic, nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor, and a splash of zesty lemon juice. Tossed with tender penne pasta and vibrant sautéed spinach, it’s a delightful harmony of creamy and fresh. Ready in just 30 minutes, this easy weeknight dish is not only packed with flavor but also vegan-friendly and loaded with nutrients. Garnish with fresh basil for an extra burst of brightness and serve up this satisfying, dairy-free pasta for a crowd-pleasing meal!
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Ingredients
- 8 ounces Penne pasta
- 1 cup Raw cashews
- 1 cup Water
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons Nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.25 cup Fresh basil leaves
- 2 cups Spinach, fresh
Directions
Step 1
Start by soaking the raw cashews in hot water for 10 minutes. This softens them and makes them easier to blend into a creamy sauce.
Step 2
While the cashews are soaking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions, or until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 3
Once the cashews are done soaking, drain them and add to a high-speed blender along with 1 cup of water, olive oil, minced garlic, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add more water, one tablespoon at a time, to reach your desired consistency.
Step 4
In a large skillet, heat a small amount of olive oil over medium heat. Add the fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
Step 5
Lower the heat and pour the cashew cream sauce into the skillet with the spinach. Stir well to combine and heat through gently, without bringing it to a boil.
Step 6
Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet, tossing everything together until the pasta is well coated with the creamy sauce.
Step 7
Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to suit your taste.
Step 8
Serve the dairy-free penne pasta warm, garnished with fresh basil leaves. Enjoy this comforting and creamy pasta dish without any dairy!
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1016.9g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1890.1 |
| Total Fat 83.9g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 13.4g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 3.4g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 3340.1mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 224.9g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 22.4g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 8.9g | |
| Protein 71.4g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 366.4mg | 0% |
| Iron 22.1mg | 0% |
| Potassium 3527.8mg | 0% |
Source of Calories