Creamy Vegan Tomato Pasta

This recipe is the perfect way to start your vegan cooking journey and show others how delicious plant-based food can be. It’s a classic comfort dish that gets its incredible creaminess from a secret ingredient—cashews! It’s simple, satisfying, and proves you don’t need dairy to make a rich, flavorful pasta sauce.

Yields: 4 Servings Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

For the Creamy Cashew Sauce:

• 1 cup raw cashews, soaked in hot water for at least 15 minutes (or overnight in cold water)
• 1 cup vegetable broth (or water)
• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast (gives a cheesy flavor)
• 1 clove garlic
• Juice of half a lemon
• Salt to taste

For the Pasta:

• 400g pasta of your choice (like penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
• Fresh basil for garnish
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving about 1 cup of the pasta water.
2. Make the Cashew Cream: While the pasta is cooking, drain the soaked cashews. Add them to a high-speed blender with the vegetable broth, nutritional yeast, 1 clove of garlic, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Blend until completely smooth and creamy. This may take a few minutes.
3. Start the Tomato Sauce: In a large pan or skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
4. Combine the Sauces: Pour the crushed tomatoes into the skillet. Add the dried oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for 5-7 minutes.
5. Make it Creamy: Pour the blended cashew cream into the tomato sauce. Stir everything together until well combined. The sauce should turn a beautiful, creamy pink-orange color. Let it gently simmer for another 2-3 minutes.
6. Finish the Dish: Add the cooked pasta to the pan with the sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
7. Serve: Divide the pasta into bowls, garnish with fresh basil, and serve immediately. Enjoy!