Vegan Alfredo Sauce

Vegan alfredo sauce is the ultimate vegan comfort food and a vegetarian’s dream come true! If you’re craving a cheesy and creamy vegan pasta recipe, this dairy-free alfredo sauce recipe is the answer! This vegan alfredo sauce is bright and vibrant, creamy and savory. It is the perfect balance of cheese-like flavor and fresh herbs, with a delicate balance that is incredibly pleasing to the palate.

How to make Alfredo sauce vegan?

Vegan alfredo sauce is a healthy vegetable-based alternative to alfredo sauce, a creamy sauce typically made with heavy cream, butter, and Parmesan cheese. The vegan version is a nutrient-rich sauce with cashews, nutritional yeast, and plant-based milk. This is an excellent alternative to dairy products for those who want to avoid them.

Dairy-Free Alfredo Sauce

Alfredo sauce usually comes to mind when you think of a creamy, cheesy sauce. Still, many vegans don’t even consider alfredo sauce because they believe it’s impossible to make it vegan. It’s my pleasure to prove otherwise! This vegan version of alfredo sauce is vibrant, flavorful, and creamy, just like its traditional counterpart.

This dairy-free alfredo sauce is not only vegan, but it is also gluten-free (use gluten-free pasta), egg-free, and without any harmful, over-processed ingredients. This Cashew Alfredo Sauce Recipe happens to be vegan, but it’s so rich that it’s hard to tell the difference. Additionally, it’s super easy to make and takes less than 20 minutes!

Is Plant-based Alfredo sauce better than a traditional one?

Vegan Alfredo is better because it tastes just as good as the traditional, and at the same time, it’s loaded with healthy ingredients! The conventional version of Alfredo sauce is loaded with fat, dairy, and heavy cream.

Dairy-free Alfredo sauce uses plant-based milk instead of heavy cream and cashews in place of butter to achieve the creamy texture of traditional Alfredo sauce. The vegan Parmesan cheese adds a cheesy kick, making this vegan keto pasta sauce recipe identical to its traditional counterpart.

INGREDIENTS

Raw Cashews – They are a staple in vegan cooking as they create a creamy texture resembling milk, butter, or cream. Cashews are incredibly versatile and can be used in everything from sauces to desserts. Cashews give this vegan recipe a “buttery” flavor you can’t get from any other nut.

Olive Oil – It gives this vegan keto sauce a Mediterranean flair and adds richness.

Onion – Onion adds a bit of sweetness to the sauce.

Garlic – Garlic is one of the significant ingredients in the famous Italian Alfredo sauce recipe. It adds a traditional garlicky flavor to the sauce.

Plant-Based Milk – Unsweetened plant-based milk is a popular healthy and dairy-free alternative to cow’s milk. In the vegan keto pasta sauce recipe, you can use plant milk instead of dairy milk to add a creamy texture. Plant-based milk is easier to digest and adds nutritional content to this vegan pasta recipe.

Nutritional Yeast – Nutritional yeast is often used as a vegan cheese substitute in cheesy dishes and can be substituted in any recipe that calls for Parmesan cheese. It’s famous for its cheesy flavor.

Vegan Parmesan Cheese – Vegan Variation of parmesan cheese adds a punch of cheesy flavor to this dairy alfredo sauce.

Lemon Juice – Lemon juice brightens the flavor, adding a zesty zing to your vegan alfredo sauce.

Salt and Pepper – Add salt and pepper to taste.

How to Make Vegan Alfredo Sauce

A traditional Italian dish, Alfredo sauce is a cheese-based sauce. Despite its popularity, vegans avoid it because of the cheese it contains. Our dairy-free Alfredo sauce recipe is a delicious way to enjoy the same enticing taste of Alfredo sauce with a vegan substitution of ingredients.

Ingredients

2 cups raw cashews soaked for 2 hours or more
3 tbsp olive oil
1 medium sweet onion chopped
6 garlic cloves minced
1 cup unsweetened plant-based milk
1/3 cup nutritional yeast
1/4 cup vegan parmesan cheese
1 tbsp lemon juice
Salt and pepper for taste

Instructions

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add olive oil, onion, and garlic, and sauté until the onion is translucent. (About 5 mins)
Drain the soaking cashews, and add to a high-powered blender along with the onions/garlic, unsweetened plant milk, vegan parmesan, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, the. Blend until very smooth.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Serve over your favorite pasta.

Additions and Substitutions:

If you want to get a little more adventurous than just your average pasta dish, the dairy-free Alfredo sauce recipe serves as an excellent pairing with vegetables of your choice like broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts, or spaghetti squash.
You can make this meal more filling and satisfying by adding spinach, kale, peas, or roasted mushrooms, or give it a protein punch by incorporating baked tofu or tempeh.
Spice it up with a generous sprinkling of red chili flakes for added heat.
The plant-based milk in this vegan pasta recipe can be substituted for unsweetened non-dairy milk such as almond or oat milk.

Is It Possible to Prepare Sauce Ahead of Time?

If you want to prepare this dairy-free alfredo sauce ahead of time, you can make the sauce and store it. The sauce should be kept in a well-sealed container, preferably an airtight container in your refrigerator. Properly stored dairy-free Alfredo sauce stays fresh for up to 5 days.

Do I have the option to omit cashews from this recipe?

You can make this nut-free by substituting sunflower seeds or raw slivered almonds for the cashews. I have made it both ways, and they are all great! The sunflower seeds are very similar but have a milder flavor, and they may make this vegan dinner recipe denser. The slivered almonds, I find, have a more roasted taste, which I like.

Does Dairy-Free Alfredo Sauce Freeze Well?

Vegan Alfredo Sauce freezes well and can be frozen for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container to prevent it from freezer burn. It would be best to freeze it in an airtight container with enough head space. It will avoid having it expand and become a gooey mess. It’s usually best to freeze sauces in single-serving amounts like the sauce you get on the side of a boxed meal.

How to reheat dairy-free alfredo sauce?

Reheating Alfredo sauce requires thawing it in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours. After that, gently reheat the sauce over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.