Red Pepper Alfredo Sauce with Cashews and Nutritional Yeast Recipe
This creamy Red Pepper Alfredo Sauce is a delicious, vegan alternative to traditional Alfredo, featuring blended red bell peppers and cashews for a rich and flavorful sauce. Perfectly paired with pasta, spaghetti squash, or roasted veggies, it’s a versatile dish that’s both satisfying and easy to prepare.
- Prep Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 8 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sauce
- 1 red bell pepper (raw or roasted)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup raw cashews (or macadamia nuts)
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast (or Parmesan cheese)
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
For Serving
- 10 oz pasta (or spaghetti squash or vegetables)
- Optional grilled or roasted veggies, beans, etc.
Instructions
- Soak the Nuts: Place the raw cashews in a cereal bowl, cover them with water, and let soak for 6-8 hours. Once soaked, drain the water completely and pat the cashews dry to prepare for blending.
- Blend the Sauce: In a food processor or high-speed blender, combine the soaked cashews, red bell pepper, 1/2 cup water, nutritional yeast, salt, onion powder, turmeric, and ground nutmeg (if using). Blend until the mixture is completely smooth, creating a creamy sauce base.
- Cook the Pasta: In a separate pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta well but do not rinse it to maintain the sauce adhesion.
- Heat the Sauce: Transfer the blended sauce to a pot and gently heat it over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until it reaches your desired serving temperature. Avoid boiling to keep the sauce’s creamy texture intact.
- Combine and Serve: Pour the warm sauce over the drained pasta. Stir to coat evenly, then fold in any optional cooked vegetables, beans, or other desired add-ins. Season with additional salt and pepper as needed before serving.
Notes
- Soaking the nuts softens them, ensuring a smooth and creamy sauce without bitterness.
- Roasting the red bell pepper before blending adds a smoky depth to the sauce.
- You can substitute nutritional yeast with Parmesan cheese for a non-vegan version.
- This sauce pairs well with gluten-free pasta or spiralized vegetables for a low-carb option.
- Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: Red Pepper Alfredo Sauce, Vegan Alfredo, Cashew Sauce, Dairy-Free Sauce, Vegan Pasta Sauce
