Creamy Vegan Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes (Nut-Free)
My Creamy Vegan Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes recipe is nut-free and made without heavy cream, parmesan cheese, or cashews. Instead of blending soaked nuts, this 25-minute recipe uses a simple roux to create a smooth sauce. Sun-dried tomatoes add depth and sweetness, which takes this classic pasta to the next level.
1and 1/4 cups unsweetened dairy-free milk*extra on hand to thin if needed
½cupvegetable broth
1tablespoonnutritional yeast
1teaspoonlemon juice
½teaspoonsaltadjust to taste
¼teaspoonblack pepper
⅛teaspoonground nutmeg
Instructions
Cook the pasta: Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until it is al dente. Before draining the pasta, save 1 cup of pasta water.
Sauté garlic and tomatoes: Next, melt the butter in a deep sauté pan over low-to-medium heat. Then add the 3 cloves of minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30-60 seconds. Stir in ½ cup of sun-dried tomatoes and heat for 1 minute.
Add the flour: Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and stir constantly for 1 minute.
Whisk liquids: Then slowly whisk in the 1 and 1/4 cups of unsweetened dairy-free milk and ½ cup vegetable broth. You will need to keep whisking so that your sauce is lump-free.
Add spices: Add 1 tablespoon of nutritional yeast, a pinch of nutmeg, a dash of salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer until it thickens. This usually takes 3-5 minutes
Combine with pasta: Finally, add the drained pasta to the sauté pan with the sauce. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice, and toss all together. If your sauce is too thick, add in the pasta water in 1/4 cup increments until you find the right texture. When you’re ready to serve, place the pasta on a plate and top with your favorite garnishes.
Notes
Dairy-free milk: You can use any type of dairy-free milk. I have had the best results using barista-style oat milk (unflavored). It is designed to be creamy and works well with this recipe.
This recipe tastes best when served immediately. If you want to make it ahead of time, note that the sauce will thicken. You will need to add a splash of dairy-free milk or water and stir. This will help restore the original creamy texture.