The Best-Ever Creamy Cashew Pasta

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rich, dairy-free pasta sauce made from blended cashews and sun-dried tomatoes, creating a velvety texture that coats every strand of pasta perfectly. This italian-inspired vegetarian (dairy-free, vegan) ready in about 35 minutes pairs (about 340g) spaghetti pasta, garlic, nutritional yeast for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.

★ 3.7 (11 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
  2. Step 2: Drain soaked cashews and combine them with sun-dried tomatoes, 3 garlic cloves, 3 tbsp nutritional yeast, 2 tbsp lemon juice, and 1/2 cup vegetable broth in a high-speed blender. Blend on high for 3-4 minutes until completely smooth and creamy, scraping down sides as needed.
  3. Step 3: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the blended sauce and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until it thickens to a sauce-like consistency. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  4. Step 4: Add drained pasta to the saucepan with 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Toss vigorously for 2 minutes over medium heat until sauce coats every strand and reaches desired creaminess. Serve immediately with extra nutritional yeast sprinkled on top.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does The Best-Ever Creamy Cashew Pasta take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 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 The Best-Ever Creamy Cashew 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 (about 340g) spaghetti pasta from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in The Best-Ever Creamy Cashew 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 The Best-Ever Creamy Cashew 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 The Best-Ever Creamy Cashew Pasta dairy-free?

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

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