Creamy Vegan Sun Dried Tomato Pasta (Printable)

Rich, dairy-free pasta with smooth sun-dried tomato cashew sauce and fresh herbs

# What you'll need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz dried pasta (penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)
02 - Salt, for pasta water

→ Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce

03 - 3.5 oz sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained (reserve oil)
04 - 1 cup raw cashews, soaked in hot water for 15 minutes and drained
05 - 2 cloves garlic, peeled
06 - 1 small shallot, roughly chopped
07 - 1 1/4 cups unsweetened plant-based milk (almond, soy, or oat)
08 - 2 tbsp reserved sun-dried tomato oil (or olive oil)
09 - 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
10 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
11 - 1/2 tsp salt
12 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
13 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
14 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

→ To Finish

15 - 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
16 - 2 tbsp toasted pine nuts (optional)
17 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Soak cashews in hot water for 15 minutes, then drain thoroughly.
02 - Boil salted water and cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
03 - Combine soaked cashews, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, shallot, plant-based milk, reserved oil, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, salt, pepper, oregano, and paprika in blender. Process until completely smooth and creamy.
04 - Taste sauce and season as needed. Thin with pasta water or additional milk if too thick.
05 - Return drained pasta to pot over low heat. Add sauce and toss to coat, using pasta water as needed. Stir in basil, then serve topped with pine nuts and extra black pepper.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The sauce achieves an impossibly rich texture that rivals any traditional cream sauce
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes but tastes like it simmered for hours
02 -
  • Reserving pasta water is nonnegotiable, it is the secret to perfectly coating every strand
  • If your sauce seems too thick, add more plant milk rather than water to maintain creaminess
03 -
  • High-speed blenders yield the smoothest results, but a standard blender works with patience
  • Do not skip toasting the pine nuts, that warmth transforms them from garnish to essential

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