Dairy-Free Penne Pasta with Creamy Sauce
Indulge in the rich, velvety taste of Dairy-Free Penne Pasta with Creamy Sauce, a plant-based twist on a classic comfort food favorite. This recipe features perfectly cooked penne pasta tossed in a luscious, cashew-based sauce infused with the vibrant flavors of garlic, nutritional yeast, and a hint of zesty lemon. Wilted spinach adds a nourishing green touch, while fresh basil provides a fragrant, herbaceous finish. Whether you're avoiding dairy or just craving a lighter alternative, this creamy pasta dish comes together in just 30 minutes and is sure to satisfy. Perfect for weeknight dinners or a crowd-pleasing vegan option, this recipe proves that dairy-free can be decadently delicious!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Penne pasta
- 1 cup Raw cashews
- 1 cup Water
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons Nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.25 cup Fresh basil leaves
- 2 cups Spinach, fresh
Instructions
Start by soaking the raw cashews in hot water for 10 minutes. This softens them and makes them easier to blend into a creamy sauce.
While the cashews are soaking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions, or until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Once the cashews are done soaking, drain them and add to a high-speed blender along with 1 cup of water, olive oil, minced garlic, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add more water, one tablespoon at a time, to reach your desired consistency.
In a large skillet, heat a small amount of olive oil over medium heat. Add the fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
Lower the heat and pour the cashew cream sauce into the skillet with the spinach. Stir well to combine and heat through gently, without bringing it to a boil.
Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet, tossing everything together until the pasta is well coated with the creamy sauce.
Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to suit your taste.
Serve the dairy-free penne pasta warm, garnished with fresh basil leaves. Enjoy this comforting and creamy pasta dish without any dairy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1890 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 83.9 g | 108% | |
| Saturated Fat | 13.4 g | 67% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 3340 mg | 145% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 224.9 g | 82% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 22.4 g | 80% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.9 g | ||
| Protein | 71.4 g | 143% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 366 mg | 28% | |
| Iron | 22.1 mg | 123% | |
| Potassium | 3528 mg | 75% | |
*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.
