Vegan Penne Pasta with Cheese Sauce
Indulge in the creamy, guilt-free goodness of Vegan Penne Pasta with Cheese Sauce, a dairy-free spin on a classic comfort food favorite! This vibrant dish pairs tender penne pasta with a velvety homemade cheese sauce crafted from nutrient-packed cashews and tangy nutritional yeast. Sautéed spinach and blistered cherry tomatoes infuse the pasta with fresh, colorful flavors, while a hint of garlic, onion, and paprika add depth to every bite. Topped with aromatic basil leaves, this plant-based recipe is perfect for quick weeknight meals or impressing guests with a wholesome yet indulgent dinner. Ready in just 30 minutes, this vegan pasta recipe is a must-try for anyone seeking a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional mac and cheese.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Penne pasta
- 1 cup Raw cashews
- 1 cup Nutritional yeast
- 1.5 cups Unsweetened almond milk
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Paprika
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 2 cups Spinach
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes
- 0.25 cup Basil leaves
Instructions
Begin by soaking the raw cashews in hot water for 15 minutes to soften them. Drain and set aside.
Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a blender, combine the soaked cashews, nutritional yeast, almond milk, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy.
In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the spinach and cherry tomatoes and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until the spinach is wilted and the tomatoes are slightly blistered.
Add the cooked penne pasta to the pan with the vegetables.
Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta and veggies, stirring well to combine and heat the sauce.
Allow the pasta to cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through and the sauce thickens up slightly.
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil leaves. Enjoy your Vegan Penne Pasta with Cheese Sauce!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2290 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 88.8 g | 114% | |
| Saturated Fat | 13.7 g | 68% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 2678 mg | 116% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 308.8 g | 112% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 23.5 g | 84% | |
| Total Sugars | 11.9 g | ||
| Protein | 79.1 g | 158% | |
| Vitamin D | 3.3 mcg | 16% | |
| Calcium | 752 mg | 58% | |
| Iron | 24.4 mg | 136% | |
| Potassium | 2649 mg | 56% | |
*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.
