Description
A creamy, vibrant pink pasta made with blended tomatoes and cashews for a rich yet dairy-free sauce. This healthy vegan dish is packed with flavor, naturally colorful, and perfect for quick weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fusilli)
- Salt, for pasta water
Pink Sauce
- 1 cup raw cashews (soaked 20–30 minutes)
- 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
- ½ cup unsweetened plant milk (almond, oat, or soy)
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp dried basil or Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup pasta water (as needed)
Optional Add-Ins
- Spinach
- Roasted red peppers
- Cherry tomatoes
- Fresh basil
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Cook pasta in salted water according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain the pasta thoroughly.
- Prepare sauce: In a blender, combine soaked cashews, crushed tomatoes, plant milk, nutritional yeast, garlic, olive oil, paprika, basil, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Simmer sauce: Pour the blended sauce into a skillet over medium heat. Simmer for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure flavors meld.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce and toss well to coat evenly.
- Adjust sauce consistency: Add reserved pasta water as needed to thin the sauce to your desired consistency and stir in optional vegetables if using.
- Serve: Serve the pink pasta warm, garnished with fresh herbs like basil if desired.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, substitute soaked cashews with silken tofu to maintain creaminess.
- Adjust the tomato-to-cashew ratio to achieve a lighter or richer sauce according to taste preference.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; sauce may thicken upon cooling, so reheat gently with a splash of water.
- Optional add-ins like spinach or roasted red peppers add extra nutrients and flavor diversity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
