This vegan Alfredo sauce is one of my favorite sauces to cook with. It is super healthy, very light, and tastes just like classic Alfredo sauce. So even if you are not vegan, you have to try this vegan cashew Alfredo sauce. It is amazing!
There are many reasons why I love this vegan Alfredo sauce. It can be used as a healthy substitute for heavy cream-based sauces and classic Alfredo sauce as it is made with super nutritious ingredients. It is very easy to prepare. It can be stored in the freezer so you always have tasty Alfredo sauce at hand. It is super versatile and can be used in all kinds of recipes. And most importantly, it tastes just as delicious as the classic version!
Seriously, I love this sauce so much. And I’m not even vegan. I just genuinely love how light, healthy and delicious this sauce is. So do me a favor and try it, you’ll love this vegan cashew Alfredo sauce!
Ingredients
To make this vegan and dairy-free Alfredo sauce, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Raw cashews. Raw cashews are one of the main ingredients in this vegan Alfredo sauce. Don’t forget to soak them in water overnight so they are soft enough for your blender.
- Water or almond/cashew milk. You can make the sauce with either water or almond/cashew milk. Both options taste great!
- Onion and garlic. Onion and garlic give the sauce flavor and make it super delicious! If your pasta recipe already calls for onion and garlic, omit them when making the sauce. Instead, use them as described in the recipe.
- Lemon juice. The lemon juice is very important for the flavor of the sauce, so don’t skip it.
- Nutritional yeast. Nutritional yeast is the secret ingredient that gives this sauce its cheesy flavor. It also provides various nutrients, which makes it perfect for preparing a healthy Alfredo sauce.
How to make this vegan cashew Alfredo sauce
This vegan Alfredo sauce is super easy to make! You only need a high-powdered blender to be able to blend the ingredients into a creamy and smooth sauce. Here are the steps for preparing the vegan cashew Alfredo sauce:
- Soak. Soak the cashews in water overnight. Then drain and rinse them. An alternative is boiling the cashews for 5 minutes. If you have the time for it, I recommend soaking the cashews overnight as you don’t run the risk of having fine chunks in your sauce due to the cashews not being soft enough for your blender.
- Blend. Add all ingredients to your blender. Blend until the sauce is completely creamy and smooth.
- Use or store. Use the sauce immediately or store it in the refrigerator or freezer for future use.
Ways to use this vegan Alfredo sauce
You can use this dairy-free Alfredo sauce for making various dishes! Here are some ideas for you:
- Pasta: Pasta and Alfredo sauce are a classic and delicious combination. You can create all kinds of pasta Alfredo dishes. I love this Cashew Cajun Shrimp Alfredo recipe and Chicken Broccoli Alfredo recipe. I absolutely recommend trying one of these recipes!
- Casserole: This vegan Alfredo sauce is perfect for casserole recipes! Simply use it with your favorite vegetables and noodles or potatoes for a creamy, healthy, and delicious casserole.
Cashew Cajun Shrimp Alfredo Chicken Broccoli Alfredo
Variations
As with most recipes, you can change or add certain ingredients to switch up the flavor of the dish. Here are some ideas for changing the flavor of this vegan cashew Alfredo sauce:
- Spices: Adding spices is a fantastic way to give your sauces a different flavor. I love to add nutmeg or cayenne pepper, depending on the dish I use the sauce for.
- Herbs: I love rosemary or thyme with this sauce! When I serve it with pasta, I often add rosemary to it.
- Garlic: I used two garlic cloves in the recipe, which gives the sauce a garlicky taste without being overpowering. But if you are a huge fan of garlic, feel free to add more to it.
- Nutritional Yeast: Nutritional yeast gives the sauce a cheesy and nutty flavor. Feel free to add more or less of it, depending on the result you are going for.
Storage tips
I love to make this sauce and keep it in the refrigerator or freezer! It is perfect for making quick and healthy pasta dishes or casseroles. Here is how you can store it:
- Refrigerator: You can store the cashew Alfredo sauce in a sealed container for up to one week. The sauce usually thickens in the refrigerator, so add a bit of water if the sauce is too thick.
- Freezer: The sauce can be frozen and then thawed when you are ready to cook with it. You can keep it in your freezer for up to 3 months.
More easy sauces and dips
You absolutely have to start making your own homemade sauces and dips! They often taste so much better than the store-bought version. Plus they are usually very easy to make. These are some of my favorite recipes.
More delicious and healthy vegan recipes
Even if you are not vegan, I absolutely recommend trying one of the following recipes. They are all super healthy and taste amazing!
Vegan Alfredo Sauce
Equipment
- Blender
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cashews soaked, drained, and rinsed
- 1 cup water or almond/cashew milk
- 2 garlic cloves peeled
- ½ onion medium-sized
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Option 1: Soak the cashews in water overnight. Drain and rinse them. Option 2: Boil the cashews in water for 5 minutes. Drain and rinse them.
- Add all ingredients to a blender. Blend until the sauce is completely creamy. Add more water to thin the sauce if needed.
- Use immediately or store in your refrigerator or freezer for future use.
Notes
- Usage: If you want to use the sauce for one of my other recipes and the recipe already calls for garlic and onion, omit these two ingredients when making the sauce.
- Serving size: The recipe yields 2 cups of sauce. I usually need ⅓ to ½ cup of sauce per serving, so this recipe should make 4-6 servings.
- Soak time: I recommend soaking the cashews overnight. This way you can be sure that the cashews are soft enough to make a super creamy sauce. But if you forget to soak them, you can boil them for 5 minutes.
- Cooking: The sauce might thicken when you cook with it. Simply add more water to the sauce when that happens.
- Storage: You can store the sauce in your refrigerator for a week. Or you can freeze it.
- Switch it up: You can easily change the flavor of this sauce. Add extra spices and herbs like nutmeg or rosemary. Or use more/less garlic. And if you want to eliminate the cheesy flavor/want more of it, use less/more nutritional yeast. The recipe as stated should be perfect for most people, but feel free to be creative and modify it!
Lynn Jeffery-Campbell
I'm not vegan. But I am trying to eat healthier. I LOVE alfredo sauce so I had to try this recipe. It was very simple to make. I was astonished at how much it actually tasted like the real deal! I do, however, think it tastes closer to a true alfredo sauce without the onion. I WILL be making this again. THANK YOU!
Beri
I'm really happy that you like the recipe! 😊 It is one of my go-to sauces for making creamy pasta dishes. So I'm glad you like it, too! 😄