Description
A bright and fresh vegan pasta dish featuring tender asparagus, zesty lemon, and delicate pea shoots, made with a light, dairy-free sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz linguine or spaghetti
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup raw cashews, soaked in hot water for 30 minutes
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- 1 cup fresh pea shoots
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Two minutes before draining, add the cut asparagus to the boiling water with the pasta. Reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water, then drain the pasta and asparagus.
- While the pasta cooks, prepare the sauce. Drain the soaked cashews. Combine the drained cashews, reserved pasta water, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, garlic, lemon zest, salt, and pepper in a high-speed blender. Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
- Heat the 1/4 cup of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the drained pasta and asparagus to the skillet.
- Pour the cashew cream sauce over the pasta mixture. Toss gently to coat everything evenly. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens slightly. Add a splash more pasta water if the sauce seems too thick.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Gently fold in the fresh pea shoots and chopped parsley. The residual heat will lightly wilt the greens.
- Divide the pasta among serving bowls. Drizzle each serving with a little extra olive oil and serve immediately.
Notes
- Soak the cashews in boiling water for 30 minutes if you do not have time for a longer soak.
- Use spaghetti or linguine for the best texture with this light sauce.
- Taste the sauce before adding salt; nutritional yeast adds some saltiness.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Unsaturated Fat: 17
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 80
- Fiber: 8
- Protein: 22
- Cholesterol: 0