Description
This creamy vegan roasted red pepper pasta features a rich, velvety sauce made from roasted peppers, cashews, and nutritional yeast. It’s a quick and flavorful plant-based meal perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta of choice (such as penne)
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 4–5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 jar roasted red peppers, drained and chopped (12–15 oz jar)
- 1 1/4 cup vegetable broth
- 1/3 cup raw cashews
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (or more to taste)
- Fresh parsley, for serving
- Vegan parmesan, for serving
- Red pepper flakes, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions, reducing the cooking time by about 1 minute for a firmer texture. Drain, rinse, and set aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, and chopped roasted red peppers. Sauté for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat.
- Add the sautéed vegetables, vegetable broth, cashews, nutritional yeast, tomato paste, cornstarch, Italian seasoning, salt, and red pepper flakes to a blender.
- Blend until the sauce is completely smooth and creamy.
- Return the cooked pasta to the pot or a large skillet.
- Pour the sauce over the pasta and toss to combine.
- Cook over medium heat for a few minutes until warmed through and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Serve garnished with fresh parsley, vegan parmesan, and additional red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
- Soak the cashews in hot water for 15-20 minutes before blending for an extra smooth sauce.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes to control the spice level.
- Reserve a little pasta water to thin the sauce if needed.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 390 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
