Description
A creamy and flavorful Red Pepper Alfredo Sauce made with roasted red bell pepper and cashews, blended with nutritional yeast and spices for a dairy-free, vegan alternative to traditional Alfredo sauce. Perfectly paired with pasta, spaghetti squash, or steamed vegetables, this sauce is quick to prepare and customizable with your favorite add-ins.
Ingredients
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 red bell pepper (raw or roasted)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup raw cashews (or macadamia nuts)
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast (or Parmesan cheese)
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
Main Dish Ingredients
- 10 oz pasta (or spaghetti squash or vegetables)
- Optional: grilled or roasted vegetables, beans, or other add-ins
Instructions
- Soak Nuts: Place the raw cashews in a cereal bowl, cover with water, and let them soak for 6-8 hours to soften. After soaking, drain completely and pat dry with a clean towel.
- Blend Sauce: In a food processor or high-speed blender, combine the drained cashews, red bell pepper, nutritional yeast, salt, onion powder, turmeric, nutmeg (if using), and 1/2 cup water. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy.
- Cook Pasta: While preparing the sauce, cook the pasta in a separate pot of salted boiling water according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly but do not rinse it.
- Heat Sauce: Transfer the blended sauce to a pot and gently heat over medium-low heat until it reaches the desired serving temperature, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Combine and Serve: Pour the warm red pepper Alfredo sauce over the drained pasta. Stir in any optional cooked vegetables, beans, or other add-ins of your choice. Season with additional salt and freshly ground pepper to taste, then serve immediately.
Notes
- Soaking nuts overnight softens them for a smoother sauce texture.
- You can roast the red bell pepper for a smokier flavor or use it raw for a fresher taste.
- Nutritional yeast provides a cheesy flavor and makes this sauce vegan; Parmesan cheese can be substituted for a non-vegan option.
- This sauce also works well with spaghetti squash or steamed vegetables as a low-carb alternative.
- Adjust seasoning like salt and pepper at the end for optimal flavor balance.
- Prep Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
