Vegan Creamy Lemon Pasta
Bright, tangy, and genuinely silky, this lemon pasta is the kind of weeknight dinner that feels far more indulgent than it has any right to be. The secret is a blended cashew cream — raw cashews soaked in boiling water, then blitzed smooth with nutritional yeast, fresh lemon juice, and zest — that coats every strand of spaghetti the way a dairy-based sauce would, without a drop of cream or butter in sight. Thinly sliced garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes bloom in olive oil first, building a savory, fragrant base before the cashew cream goes in. A splash of starchy pasta water loosens everything into a glossy, restaurant-worthy sauce that clings beautifully to the noodles. The whole thing comes together in about the time it takes to boil a pot of pasta, and it serves four generously. Finished with fresh parsley and optional lemon wedges, it's clean, vibrant, and satisfying in a way that will genuinely surprise anyone who thinks plant-based pasta is a compromise.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the cashew cream
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 1 cup boiling water
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 tsp lemon zest (from about 1 lemon)
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 ½ lemons)
- ½ tsp salt
For the pasta
- 12 oz dry spaghetti
- 1 tbsp salt (for pasta water)
For the sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
- 1 tsp lemon zest (from about 1 lemon)
- salt and pepper, to taste
For serving
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
- lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
- vegan parmesan, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Place the cashews in a heatproof bowl and pour the boiling water over them. Let soak for 30 minutes, until the cashews are softened and plump.
- 2
Drain the cashews, discarding the soaking water. Transfer to a blender along with the nutritional yeast, 1 tsp lemon zest, 3 tbsp lemon juice, 1/2 tsp salt, and 3/4 cup fresh water. Blend on high for 60–90 seconds until completely smooth and creamy, with no visible cashew pieces. Set aside.
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