September 09, 2021
Vegan Linguine Alfredo
- 1 medium white onion, chopped (make sure to measure out 1 1/2 cups of chopped onion)
- 1-2 cups low sodium vegetable broth, separated
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced (don't skimp because hey, flavor!)
- 1/2 heaping cup raw whole cashews ( 2.6 oz) (soaked for overnight in hot water if you don't have a high powered blender)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (or more to your taste, I used a bit more, don't omit!)
- 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast ( use less if preferred. Make sure to use a non-synthetic version so it doesn't leave a nasty vitamin taste. I highly recommend Sari brand )
Note
- It is not recommended to sub or eliminate any of these ingredients, as I cannot vouch for the results if any are changed. The lemon juice is crucial, as it eliminates any cashew flavor.
- Also, if you don't have a high powered blender like a Vitamix, it is crucial to pre-soak the cashews so they soften and the sauce ends up smooth and creamy, and not gritty. Drain them and rinse after soaking.
Instructions
- Add the onion and ONLY 1 cup of the broth to a large pan over medium-low heat. Cook for about 8 minutes until the onion is very tender. (Add a tiny bit more broth if it is cooking too fast or turn the heat down, so the onions don't burn) After several minutes, add the garlic and cook a couple of minutes more. All of the broth should have evaporated by now. If not, keep letting it cook until the broth has evaporated. You don't want any more liquid once it's done cooking, so the end result is thick and creamy.
- Add the cooked veggies (the onion and garlic) to a blender. Start out by just adding 3/4 cup more of the remaining broth and add the remaining ingredients (salt, pepper, cashews, lemon juice, nutritional yeast). Blend on high for a couple of minutes until very creamy and smooth. Add any more broth to reach desired consistency, if necessary. Taste and add any more salt & pepper, if desired.
- Serve over preferred pasta. Note: When preparing your pasta, make sure to salt your water well, so your pasta has flavor and isn't bland, which can affect the end flavor result of the dish. I add around a tablespoon to a large pot of boiling water. Garnish with parsley, lemon zest and salt & pepper, if desired. Add any veggies you like. I like to add roasted bell peppers and broccoli or even peas. Store leftovers in the fridge. The sauce will thicken up even more overnight, which you can thin out a little with a touch of broth when reheating, if necessary.