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Vegan Creamy Tomato Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 60 reviews

This vegan creamy tomato pasta recipe offers a rich and satisfying plant-based meal made with a flavorful tomato sauce enhanced by creamy cashew cream. The sauce simmers with garlic, onions, and herbs, coating tender pasta perfectly for a comforting, dairy-free dish that’s easy to prepare and perfect for a nutritious weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Sauce Ingredients

  • 1 large onion, finely diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced or crushed
  • 4 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 cans (14.5 ounces each / 411 g total) diced tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked overnight and drained

Pasta

  • 4 cups (336 g) uncooked pasta

Garnish

  • Fresh chopped basil for serving

Instructions

  1. Cook Onions: Preheat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the finely diced onion with a pinch of salt and cook slowly until translucent, about 8-10 minutes. Add a tablespoon of water at a time if onions begin to stick to the pan to prevent burning.
  2. Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Incorporate Tomato Paste: Add the tomato paste and stir to coat the onions. Cook for about 1 minute to deepen the flavor.
  4. Add Tomatoes: Pour in the two cans of diced tomatoes, including their juice. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan to add depth to the sauce.
  5. Season the Sauce: Stir in dried basil, dried oregano, and salt to taste.
  6. Simmer Sauce: Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook gently for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to meld flavors.
  7. Cook Pasta: While sauce simmers, cook pasta according to package instructions in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  8. Prepare Cashew Cream: Blend soaked and drained cashews with 1/2 cup of water until completely smooth and creamy.
  9. Combine Cream with Sauce: Stir the cashew cream into the tomato sauce just before adding the pasta, creating a creamy texture.
  10. Mix Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss gently to coat each strand thoroughly.
  11. Final Seasoning and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot garnished with fresh chopped basil for a burst of freshness.

Notes

  • Soaking cashews overnight ensures a smooth, creamy texture in the sauce.
  • To make the recipe oil-free, water is used to prevent onions from sticking and burning.
  • Any pasta shape can be used, but shorter shapes like penne or fusilli hold the sauce well.
  • Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
  • For added flavor, add red pepper flakes or nutritional yeast if desired.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Keywords: vegan creamy tomato pasta, cashew cream pasta, dairy-free pasta recipe, easy vegan dinner, plant-based Italian pasta

Find it online: https://platedandproud.com/vegan-creamy-tomato-pasta-recipe/