Creamy Cashew Vegan Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
A rich, dairy-free pasta sauce made from blended cashews, layered with sweet roasted tomatoes for a satisfying plant-based meal. This italian-inspired vegan (vegan) ready in about 45 minutes pairs spaghetti, raw cashews, water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 1/2 cup raw cashews
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh basil
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss cherry tomatoes with 1/2 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper; spread on a baking sheet and roast 15 minutes until blistered.
- Step 2: In a blender, combine cashews, water, minced garlic, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and red pepper flakes; blend 2 minutes until smooth.
- Step 3: Cook spaghetti in salted boiling water 8-10 minutes until al dente; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water. Drain, return to pot, and add cashew sauce and roasted tomatoes. Toss with 1/4 cup reserved water until creamy, then stir in chopped basil.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Creamy Cashew Vegan Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Creamy Cashew Vegan Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Creamy Cashew Vegan Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Creamy Cashew Vegan Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Creamy Cashew Vegan Pasta with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 25-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
