Sometimes you need some creamy pasta in your life but want to skip the stomach ache caused by dairy. This bowl of comfort is delicious and the dairy-free pasta sauce hits the spot for any weeknight dinner.
This dairy-free pasta sauce is a game-changer and comes together in less than 15 minutes. Fool-proof and absolutely delicious, the vegan cream sauce pairs well with elbow pasta or spaghetti.
Perfect for a weeknight dinner and can be dressed up to impress for a date night dinner. The recipe uses wholesome ingredients and simple methods to whip up the perfect dish.
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Ingredients
The key to creamy dairy-free pasta sauce is blending the dairy-free sauce in a high-speed blender (I highly recommend the Vitamix).
- Cashews (makes the dairy-free pasta sauce extra creamy)
- Roasted Garlic (creates a buttery texture with sweet and deep complex flavors)
- Roasted Red Pepper
- Lemon
- Fresh Basil
See recipe card for quantities.
We Got The Sauce
Throw the red bell pepper and garlic cloves into the air fryer to roast.
Combine the sauce ingredients, roasted pepper, and garlic in a high-speed blender (HIGHLY recommend the Vitamix!)
Cook pasta & add to a saucepan with the blended sauce.
Bring the dairy-free pasta sauce to a slight simmer and squeeze the fresh lemon juice into the saucepan. Your kitchen will smell amazing at this point. (thank me later).
Hint: Definitely don’t skip on roasting your garlic and red bell pepper. This will enhance the flavors in the dairy-free pasta sauce. If done correctly, your creamy vegan pasta will be delicious.
Dairy Free Saucey Variations
This creamy vegan pasta can be dressed up or down accordingly. I always love to serve my dairy-free pasta sauce with a side salad.
- Spicy – add chili pepper flakes while cooking to imbue heat into the dish
- High Protein – use legume-based pasta (I love using Banza)
Equipment
Definitely blend the creamy pasta sauce in a high-speed blender to ensure the sauce is smooth. I love using my Vitamix for this step. It can break down wholesome ingredients in less than 10 seconds.
To roast the garlic and red bell pepper, I would recommend using an air fryer. This is the one I religiously use. You can also use the oven, but the air fryer is a huge time saver!
Dairy-Free Pasta Sauce Storage
Store the dairy-free pasta sauce in an air-tight container. Good for 2-3 days.
This recipe freezes well, but I would eat it within 2 weeks if frozen.
Top tip
Roast the garlic and red bell pepper at the beginning of the week and store it in an air-tight container to save time when you decide to make this recipe. If the sauce is too thick, then add more liquid. Salt to your liking!
📖 Recipe
Easy & Delicious Vegan Creamy Lemon Garlic Dairy-Free Pasta Sauce
Equipment
- 1 Vitamix
- 1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 Red Bell Pepper
- 5 Cloves Garlic
- ½ Cup Soaked Cashews
- ½ Cup Water Add more if the sauce is too thick
- 2 tablespoon Tomato Paste
- 1 Tsp Garlic Powder
- 2 tablespoon Nutritional Yeast
- ½ Lemon
- 5 Leaves Fresh Basil
- 1 teaspoon Salt (add more to your liking)
Instructions
- Boil water and cook pasta.
- Roast the garlic and bell pepper. I throw them into an air fryer at 400 degrees farenheight for 8 minutes. Otherwise, you can broil the garlic and pepper in the oven for 10 minutes. Keep an eye on it – don't let them burn!
- While the garlic and peppers are roasting, begin sauteeing the tomato sauce. To a medium sauce pan scoop the tomato paste and ¼ cup of water into the center of the pan. Once it starts to bubble, add the garlic, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper. Let it bubble and absorb the flavors for ~5 minutes minimum.
- Into a high speed blender, add the roasted bell pepper & garlic, tomatoe sauce, and remaining ingredients. Blend!
- Pour the sauce over cooked pasta in a saucepan. Turn the heat on medium.
- Allow the sauce to bubble slightly then squeeze the lemon into the pan.
- Serve and enjoy!!
FAQ
Questions that you have asked us and we answered!
- Do I have to soak the cashews? Honestly, the Vitamix is so powerful that it will easily liquefy the nut in seconds. Long story short, no if you have a Vitamix.
- Can I add veggies to the sauce? That is a great idea! Please keep in mind that adding veggies to the sauce will alter the flavor profile. Maybe try zucchini or cauliflower – both bland veggies.
- I don’t have cashews, what do I do? It happens. Cashews make this sauce come alive, but if you have sunflower seeds or macadamia nuts, you will get a similar result.