Creamy Vegan Cashew Alfredo Pasta

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rich, dairy-free pasta sauce made with blended cashews and herbs, tossed with seasonal vegetables. This italian-inspired pasta (vegan, dairy-free) ready in about 45 minutes pairs spaghetti, unsweetened almond milk, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Step 2: Blend 1 cup soaked cashews, 1/2 cup almond milk, 2 cloves minced garlic, 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, 1 tbsp nutritional yeast, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a high-speed blender until completely smooth.
  3. Step 3: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 cup sliced mushrooms and 1 cup broccoli florets, sautéing for 5 minutes until mushrooms are tender and broccoli is bright green.
  4. Step 4: Add drained spaghetti to skillet with vegetables. Pour in blended cashew sauce and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Toss for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens and coats pasta evenly.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Creamy Vegan Cashew Alfredo Pasta 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 Vegan Cashew Alfredo Pasta?

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 Vegan Cashew Alfredo Pasta?

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 Vegan Cashew Alfredo Pasta for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Vegan Cashew Alfredo Pasta vegan?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan, dairy-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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