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Red Pepper Alfredo Sauce with Cashews Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.2 from 89 reviews
  • Author: Lily
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus 6-8 hours soaking time)
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes active time (plus soaking)
  • Yield: 5 servings
  • Category: Sauce
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Vegetarian American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This creamy vegetarian Red Pepper Alfredo Sauce combines the sweetness of roasted red bell peppers with a rich, nut-based creaminess perfect over pasta or roasted vegetables. It offers a healthy, flavorful alternative to traditional Alfredo, made without dairy and featuring nutrient-dense ingredients like cashews and nutritional yeast. Quick to prepare after soaking nuts, this sauce is ideal for a simple, satisfying dinner.

Ingredients

Main 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)

Accompaniments

  • 10 oz pasta or spaghetti squash or vegetables
  • Optional grilled or roasted veggies, beans, etc.

Instructions

  1. Soak Nuts: Place the raw cashews or macadamia nuts in a cereal bowl and cover them with water. Let them soak for 6 to 8 hours to soften, then drain thoroughly and pat dry with a towel.
  2. Blend Sauce: In a food processor or high-speed blender, combine the soaked nuts, red bell pepper, 1/2 cup water, nutritional yeast or Parmesan cheese, salt, onion powder, ground turmeric, and optional nutmeg. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy.
  3. Cook Pasta: While heating the sauce, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your chosen pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta fully but do not rinse to preserve surface starch for better sauce adhesion.
  4. Heat Sauce: Transfer the blended sauce to a pot and gently heat over medium-low heat until warmed through, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to ensure even heating.
  5. Combine and Serve: Pour the warm red pepper Alfredo sauce over the cooked pasta. Stir in any optional grilled or roasted vegetables, beans, or preferred add-ins. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if desired, then serve immediately.

Notes

  • Soaking the nuts overnight is crucial for achieving a smooth and creamy sauce texture.
  • For a dairy-free version, use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese.
  • Roasting the red bell pepper before blending can deepen the flavor but is optional.
  • This sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
  • You can customize this sauce by adding garlic or fresh herbs for additional flavor variations.

Find it online: https://dishmelt.com/red-pepper-alfredo-sauce-with-cashews-recipe/