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–+ servings
jar with vegan alfredo with ladle

Creamy Vegan Alfredo Sauce made with Cashews and Cauliflower, Oil-Free

Course: Topping
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 10
Calories: 70kcal
Author: Cindy Rainey
Rich, creamy, and dairy-free, this oil-free vegan Alfredo sauce made with cashews and cauliflower is lightly cheesy and flavorful. Pour it on pasta, potatoes, vegetables, or use as a pizza sauce - anywhere you'd use Alfredo!
Print Recipe

Equipment

  • high-speed blender

Ingredients

  • hot water for soaking cashews MUST DISCARD AFTER SOAKING
  • ¾ cup raw cashews
  • 10 ounces cauliflower pieces about 3 cups
  • 1 cup plant milk I used oat milk
  • 1 clove garlic
  • ¼ cup nutritional yeast
  • 2 Tablespoons lemon juice bottled is fine
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasonings
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper ground
  • pinch nutmeg

Instructions

  • Soak the raw cashews for about 30-45 minutes in very hot water. Discard the water after soaking. See notes if you are not using raw cashews.
  • Steam the cauliflower until tender. This takes about 10 minutes on the stovetop and 4 minutes in the microwave in a steamer.
  • Drain and discard the water from the cashews and make sure there is no standing water in the cauliflower.
  • To a high-speed blender, add the soaked and drained cashews, steamed cauliflower, plant milk, clove of garlic, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, onion powder, Italian seasonings, black pepper, and nutmeg.
  • Blend on high for up to five minutes or until your alfredo sauce is nice and smooth.
  • If you use right away it might still be warm enough to use because of the steamed cauliflower. You can heat to desired temperate in the microwave in 1-2 minute increments. Or heat on a stovetop, stirring the entire time to avoid burning.
  • Store in a tightly covered container for up to 5 days as long as your cauliflower was quite fresh. Otherwise, use right away.

Notes

This recipe makes 10 half-cup servings. The nutrition information is based on this. If you use more or less, you will need to adjust for that. 

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cups | Calories: 70kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 217mg | Potassium: 178mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 1mg