Dairy-Free Classic Cheesy Pasta Bake
Indulge in a comforting bowl of creamy, indulgent goodness with this **Dairy-Free Classic Cheesy Pasta Bake**, a plant-based twist on a beloved comfort food! This recipe features tender pasta baked to perfection in a luscious, cashew-based "cheese" sauce, expertly flavored with nutritional yeast, garlic, and onion powders for that rich, cheesy flavor you’ll love—without any dairy. Topped with melty vegan mozzarella and fresh spinach for added texture and nutrients, this wholesome pasta bake is as satisfying as it is nourishing. With minimal prep and a total cook time of just under an hour, it’s perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy family meals. Pair it with a crisp side salad or warm garlic bread for a complete, crowd-pleasing feast that everyone, vegan or otherwise, will adore!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 350 grams uncooked pasta (penne or rigatoni)
- 150 grams raw cashews
- 60 grams nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 500 ml unsweetened almond milk
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 150 grams vegan mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 100 grams spinach leaves, fresh
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook it until al dente, according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, cover the cashews with boiling water in a bowl and let them soak for 10 minutes.
After soaking, drain the cashews and add them to a blender along with the nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon juice, almond milk, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta and spinach. Pour the blended cashew sauce over the pasta and mix until the pasta is well coated with the sauce.
Transfer the pasta mixture into a baking dish (approximately 9x13 inches). Sprinkle the vegan mozzarella cheese evenly on top.
If desired, sprinkle dried Italian herbs on top for extra flavor.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Serve warm and enjoy your Dairy-Free Classic Cheesy Pasta Bake with a side salad or garlic bread!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3050 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 134.5 g | 172% | |
| Saturated Fat | 38.1 g | 190% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 3400 mg | 148% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 352.0 g | 128% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 37.7 g | 135% | |
| Total Sugars | 20.6 g | ||
| Protein | 114.7 g | 229% | |
| Vitamin D | 5.3 mcg | 26% | |
| Calcium | 1382 mg | 106% | |
| Iron | 23.8 mg | 132% | |
| Potassium | 3075 mg | 65% | |
*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.
