Vegan Penne Pasta with Creamy Sauce
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Vegan Penne Pasta with Creamy Sauce, a dairy-free twist on a classic favorite. Perfectly cooked penne is smothered in a velvety cashew-based sauce, crafted with nutritional yeast, garlic, lemon juice, and almond milk for a rich, cheesy flavor that’s entirely plant-based. Fresh spinach adds a vibrant pop of green, while juicy cherry tomatoes lend a hint of sweetness to balance the dish. Ready in just 40 minutes, this wholesome vegan pasta recipe is easy to prepare and packed with flavor. Whether you’re looking for a satisfying weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing dish for guests, this creamy vegan pasta is sure to impress. Healthy, indulgent, and completely dairy-free, it’s the perfect choice for pasta lovers looking to embrace plant-based eating!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 350 grams penne pasta
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 0.25 cup nutritional yeast
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
Instructions
Begin by soaking the raw cashews in hot water for 15 minutes to soften them.
While the cashews are soaking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add the penne pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a high-speed blender, combine drained cashews, nutritional yeast, garlic cloves, lemon juice, almond milk, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy.
In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and sauté the spinach until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
Pour the creamy cashew sauce into the skillet with the spinach, stirring to combine, and gently heat through.
Halve the cherry tomatoes and add them to the sauce, cooking for another 2 minutes until slightly softened.
Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy sauce.
Serve the vegan penne pasta hot, garnishing with additional nutritional yeast or fresh herbs if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
416 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 21.0 g | 27% | |
| Saturated Fat | 3.3 g | 17% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 548 mg | 24% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 43.6 g | 16% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.9 g | 21% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.9 g | ||
| Protein | 16.7 g | 33% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.6 mcg | 3% | |
| Calcium | 161 mg | 12% | |
| Iron | 4.1 mg | 23% | |
| Potassium | 488 mg | 10% | |
*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.
