Fireside Vegan Pasta Dish (Printable)
Cozy vegan pasta with roasted vegetables, herbs, and creamy cashew sauce for a comforting dish.
# List of ingredients:
→ Pasta
01 - 12.3 oz dried rigatoni or penne (ensure vegan)
02 - Salt, for pasta water
→ Roasted Vegetables
03 - 1 medium zucchini, sliced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 small red onion, sliced
06 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
07 - 2 tbsp olive oil
08 - 1 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1 tsp dried thyme
10 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Creamy Cashew Sauce
11 - 3.5 oz raw cashews (soaked 2 hours, drained)
12 - 1 cup unsweetened plant milk
13 - 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
14 - 1 clove garlic
15 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
16 - 1/2 tsp salt
→ Garnish
17 - Fresh basil leaves, torn
18 - Cracked black pepper
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F.
02 - Toss zucchini, bell pepper, red onion, and cherry tomatoes with olive oil, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Spread evenly on a baking tray.
03 - Roast vegetables for 20–25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden and tender.
04 - Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
05 - Blend soaked cashews, plant milk, nutritional yeast, garlic, lemon juice, and salt until smooth and creamy.
06 - Return drained pasta to the pot. Add roasted vegetables and pour in the cashew sauce. Toss gently over low heat until warmed through, adding reserved pasta water as needed for a silky texture. Serve topped with fresh basil and extra black pepper.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The roasted vegetables develop a sweetness that balances perfectly with the creamy cashew sauce
- It comes together in under an hour but tastes like it simmered all day
02 -
- Adding the pasta water a little at a time prevents the sauce from becoming too thin or separating
- The roasted vegetables can be prepared up to two days ahead and gently reheated before tossing with the pasta
03 -
- Spread vegetables in a single layer without overcrowding the pan for proper caramelization
- Let the blender run for a full minute to ensure the cashew sauce is completely smooth