Vegan Cacio e Pepe Pasta

Indulge in the creamy, peppery perfection of Vegan Cacio e Pepe Pasta—an elegant plant-based twist on the classic Italian dish. Crafted with soaked cashews, nutritional yeast, and unsweetened almond milk, this recipe delivers a luscious, velvety sauce that mimics the richness of traditional cheese, all while remaining dairy-free. Freshly cracked black pepper is toasted in olive oil to create a bold, aromatic base that enhances every bite of tender spaghetti. Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or sophisticated dinner parties. Serve it as a standalone entrée or pair it with a crisp side salad for a satisfying, vegan-friendly meal that’s sure to impress.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 250 grams spaghetti
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 6 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• 1 cup raw cashews
• 2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 0.5 cup water

Directions

Step 1

Start by soaking the cashews: Place the raw cashews in a bowl and cover them with boiling water. Let them soak for at least 15 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.

Step 2

Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water and then drain the pasta.

Step 3

While the pasta is cooking, make the vegan cheese sauce: Drain the soaked cashews and add them to a blender along with the almond milk, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of salt, and lemon juice. Blend until completely smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add small amounts of water until the desired consistency is reached.

Step 4

In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil. Once hot, add the freshly cracked black pepper and toast for about 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the blended cheese sauce to the skillet with the black pepper and stir to combine. Cook the sauce for 2-3 minutes until it begins to thicken slightly.

Step 6

Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss it with the sauce, using a bit of the reserved pasta water if needed to help the sauce coat the pasta evenly.

Step 7

Continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes, tossing frequently, until the pasta is heated through and the sauce has thickened to your liking.

Step 8

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper, if necessary.

Step 9

Serve immediately, garnished with extra black pepper and nutritional yeast if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(814.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1449.0

Total Fat 82.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 13.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2555.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 133.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.0g	0%
Total Sugars 9.6g
Protein 55.8g	0%

Vitamin D 87.8IU	0%
Calcium 525.1mg	0%
Iron 16.0mg	0%
Potassium 1642.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 49.6%

Protein: 14.9%

Carbs: 35.5%