Vegan Creamy Cashew Alfredo (Printer-Friendly)

Luscious dairy-free Alfredo with zucchini noodles ready in 30 minutes

# What You Need:

→ Zucchini Noodles

01 - 4 medium zucchini, spiralized
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

→ Creamy Cashew Alfredo Sauce

04 - 1 cup raw cashews, soaked in hot water for 20 minutes and drained
05 - 1 cup unsweetened plant-based milk
06 - 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
07 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
08 - 2 cloves garlic, peeled
09 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
10 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Optional Toppings

12 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
13 - 1 tablespoon toasted pine nuts
14 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

# How to Cook:

01 - Spiralize the zucchini and gently pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
02 - In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add zucchini noodles and sauté for 2–3 minutes until slightly tender. Season with sea salt and remove from heat.
03 - In a high-speed blender, combine soaked and drained cashews, plant-based milk, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, garlic, onion powder, sea salt, and black pepper. Blend until completely smooth and creamy, scraping down sides as needed.
04 - Pour the sauce into a saucepan and warm over low heat for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently until heated through. Add additional plant milk if the sauce is too thick.
05 - Toss the warm zucchini noodles with the creamy Alfredo sauce until evenly coated.
06 - Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley, toasted pine nuts, and additional black pepper if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in just 30 minutes for a quick weeknight dinner
  • Plant-based and dairy-free without sacrificing creaminess
  • Low-carb alternative to traditional pasta alfredo
  • Packed with nutrients from fresh zucchini and cashews
  • Simple ingredients create an impressively elegant dish
02 -
  • Don't squeeze or salt your zucchini before cooking - a gentle pat with paper towels is enough to remove excess moisture
  • Soak your cashews longer for an ultra-creamy sauce - overnight in the refrigerator works beautifully
  • If you don't have a high-powered blender, strain the sauce through a fine-mesh sieve after blending to ensure silky smoothness
  • The sauce will thicken as it cools, so serve immediately or keep it slightly thinner than desired if not serving right away
  • Store leftover sauce separately from zucchini noodles to prevent sogginess when reheating
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