Description
A simple recipe for a rich, dairy-free Alfredo sauce using soaked cashews for a smooth, creamy texture.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 1 cup water (for soaking)
- 1 cup vegetable broth or water (for blending)
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for sautéing garlic)
Instructions
- Place the raw cashews in a bowl and cover them completely with hot water. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for the creamiest result. Drain and rinse the cashews well.
- If you wish to add sautéed garlic flavor, heat the olive oil in a small pan over medium heat. Add the garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Do not brown the garlic.
- Combine the soaked and drained cashews, 1 cup of fresh vegetable broth or water, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a high-speed blender. If using the sautéed garlic, add it now.
- Blend on high speed until the sauce is completely smooth and silky. This may take 1 to 2 minutes, depending on your blender power. Stop and scrape down the sides as needed.
- If the sauce is too thick, add more liquid (broth or water) one tablespoon at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
- Heat the sauce gently in a saucepan over low heat if serving immediately, stirring constantly. Do not boil.
- Toss the warm sauce with cooked pasta or use as a topping for vegetables.
Notes
- For the smoothest texture, use a high-speed blender. If using a standard blender, soak the cashews for a minimum of 4 hours or boil them for 15 minutes before blending.
- This sauce thickens as it cools. Reheat gently with a splash of water or broth to restore creaminess.
- Serve this sauce with fettuccine, linguine, or use it over steamed broccoli or roasted potatoes.
- Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 35 min
- Cook Time: 5 min
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup sauce
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 2.5
- Unsaturated Fat: 12.5
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 14
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 8
- Cholesterol: 0