Vegan Cacio e Pepe
Indulge in the creamy, peppery goodness of Vegan Cacio e Pepe, a plant-based twist on the classic Italian dish. This recipe swaps traditional cheese for a luscious cashew cream sauce, enriched with nutritional yeast for that signature umami flavor. Freshly toasted black pepper takes center stage, creating a perfectly balanced bite when combined with al dente spaghetti. Quick and easy to prepare in just 35 minutes, this dairy-free masterpiece is ideal for weeknight dinners or impressing guests. Garnish with an extra sprinkle of nutritional yeast and cracked pepper for a truly irresistible vegan delight.
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Ingredients
- 400 grams spaghetti
- 150 grams raw cashews
- 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 240 milliliters water
Directions
Step 1
Start by soaking the raw cashews in hot water for at least 15 minutes to soften them. Then, drain and set aside.
Step 2
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes.
Step 3
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the creamy sauce. In a blender or food processor, combine the soaked cashews, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, sea salt, olive oil, lemon juice, and water. Blend until smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add more water a tablespoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
Step 4
In a large saucepan over medium heat, toast the black pepper for a minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn it.
Step 5
Add the cooked spaghetti to the saucepan with the toasted pepper, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water.
Step 6
Pour the cashew cream sauce over the spaghetti and gently toss to combine, adding small amounts of reserved pasta water if necessary to thin the sauce and help it coat the pasta evenly.
Step 7
Continue to toss the pasta over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until the sauce is heated through and clings to the spaghetti. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Step 8
Serve immediately, garnished with a sprinkle of nutritional yeast and cracked black pepper on top for extra flavor.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (881.5g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1818.6 |
| Total Fat 97.9g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 17.1g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 2372.0mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 187.5g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 17.1g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 13.7g | |
| Protein 61.3g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 148.4mg | 0% |
| Iron 20.3mg | 0% |
| Potassium 1625.4mg | 0% |
Source of Calories