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Creamy Dairy-Free Pasta Delight Easy Recipe Without Heavy Cream or Cheese

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A creamy, comforting dairy-free pasta recipe that uses plant-based ingredients to achieve a rich texture without heavy cream or cheese. Perfect for those avoiding dairy but craving indulgent pasta.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (penne or fusilli recommended; whole wheat or gluten-free versions work well)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1 ½ cups (360 ml) unsweetened plant-based milk (almond, oat, or cashew milk)
  • ¾ cup (100 grams) raw cashews, soaked in hot water for 20 minutes then drained
  • ¼ cup (20 grams) nutritional yeast
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ cup (120 ml) low sodium vegetable broth
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh herbs (optional, such as chopped parsley or basil) for garnish

Instructions

  1. Soak ¾ cup raw cashews in hot water for about 20 minutes to soften. Drain and set aside. (Alternatively, boil cashews for 10 minutes if short on time.)
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually 8–10 minutes. Drain, reserving about ½ cup pasta water. Set pasta aside.
  3. While pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 small chopped onion and cook 3–4 minutes until translucent. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté 1–2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  4. In a blender, combine soaked cashews, 1 ½ cups unsweetened plant milk, ¼ cup nutritional yeast, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, and ½ cup low sodium vegetable broth. Blend on high until smooth and creamy, about 1–2 minutes. Add more plant milk a tablespoon at a time if sauce is too thick.
  5. Pour blended sauce into the saucepan with sautéed onion and garlic. Stir and heat gently over medium-low heat for 5–7 minutes, stirring frequently until sauce thickens slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add reserved pasta water gradually if sauce thickens too much.
  6. Add cooked pasta to the sauce and stir to coat evenly. Warm through for 2–3 minutes to marry flavors. Adjust seasoning with salt or lemon juice if needed.
  7. Serve warm, garnished with fresh herbs and an optional drizzle of olive oil.

Notes

Soak cashews well to avoid grainy sauce; use medium-low heat to prevent sauce from scorching or separating. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Nutritional yeast adds cheesy umami flavor. For nut-free option, substitute cashews with soaked sunflower seeds. Add fresh spinach or seasonal veggies for variation.

Nutrition

Keywords: dairy-free pasta, creamy pasta, vegan pasta, plant-based sauce, cashew sauce, dairy-free recipe, easy pasta recipe, lactose-free, vegan comfort food

Find it online: https://leilameals.com/creamy-dairy-free-pasta-delight-easy-recipe-without-heavy-cream-or-cheese/