You can toss it with fettuccine, linguine noodles or gnocchi If you prefer, I had the whole-wheat penne on hand and so that’s what I used. I also love how the sauce collects in the grooves and inside of the short tubular pasta guaranteeing extra creaminess in every bite.
This Cashew Vegan Alfredo Sauce Is the Best!
This sauce is quick and easy to make and I’m happy to inform you that you don’t have to soak the cashews overnight! True story! A quick 20 minute soak in hot water is more than enough. Let the blender do its magic and you’ll end up with the silkiest creamiest cashew Alfredo sauce ever.

If you plan to store it in the fridge for later just keep in mind that it will thicken up as it sits. Not to worry, reserve some of the hot water you cook your pasta in and use it to thin out the sauce a little bit. Works like a dream!
The sauce is naturally gluten-free, however to keep this pasta recipe gluten-free just use your favorite gluten-free pasta or spiralize some zucchini noodles instead of the whole wheat penne.
FAQ: Can I Freeze Vegan Cashew Alfredo Sauce?
A: Yes you can freeze it up to 6 months stored in a glass container. After defrosting you can run it through the blender again to get the texture silky smooth if needed.

Easy Vegan Alfredo Sauce
Easy vegan Alfredo pasta sauce recipe from scratch, made with cashews, garlic, onion powder, nutritional yeast and a touch of lemon.
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups cashews -raw unsalted
- 1 cup hot water
- 3 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1.5 tsp onion powder
- 1-2 cloves garlic (to taste)
- 1/2 lemon
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 1 cup cold filtered water
Instructions
Add the cashews to a bowl and cover with the hot water. Allow to soak for 25 minutes.
Drain and rinse the soaked cashews and add them to a powerful blender together with the one cup of cold filtered water, onion powder/ flakes, garlic and nutritional yeast. Process until extra creamy and smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings to your taste with a pinch of sea salt and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Toss with your favorite pasta and serve with this orange glazed tofu.
Recipe Notes
- The sauce will thicken up in the refrigerator so you might want to stretch out any leftovers with a little warm water. Adjust seasonings again with sea salt before serving.
- If you prefer you can use almond milk instead of water to make the sauce but it isn't necessary at all. Water works great!
Finally the perfect recipe for a vegan Alfredo. I’ve failed trying different variations before and this is the absolute best one. I added extra garlic but that’s it, if you are using for an amazing plant-based creamy sauce this is fantastic. A keeper, thank you.