Easy Dairy-free Alfredo Sauce Recipe

I’m going to let you in on a little secret: I am the queen of kitchen messes. My kids will be the first to tell you that when I try a new recipe, something always goes a little sideways. I remember the first time I promised them Alfredo pasta, but we were completely out of milk and cheese. Panic! You should have seen their sad little faces. I felt so bad, but I wasn’t about to give up. So, I rummaged through the pantry and found a bag of cashews and some other bits and bobs. I decided to try and make a creamy sauce from scratch, without any dairy at all. It was a total leap of faith! The first version was… well, let’s just say it was a learning experience. But after a few tries, I finally nailed it. This easy dairy-free alfredo recipe is now our favorite go-to for a quick weeknight dinner. It’s so creamy and yummy, nobody even guesses it’s dairy-free. Trust me, it’s a total game-changer.

What You’ll Need

This recipe is so simple you probably have most of the ingredients right in your kitchen already! The magic is in the cashews—they make the sauce super creamy and rich.

• 1 1/2 cups raw cashews (soaked for at least 4 hours, or quick-soaked for 30 minutes in hot water)
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or vegan butter
• 1 1/2 cups water or vegetable broth
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast (this gives it a cheesy flavor!)
• 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice

Substitutions:

• No cashews? You can try using a can of full-fat coconut milk for a similar creamy texture, just know it will have a slightly coconut flavor.
• No nutritional yeast? Don’t worry! The sauce will still be tasty and creamy. It just won’t have that classic cheesy taste.
• No olive oil? Melted coconut oil or a neutral oil like avocado oil works great too.

Tools You’ll Use

This recipe is all about a good blender. That’s the most important tool you’ll need!

• A high-speed blender (like a Vitamix or NutriBullet)
• A small saucepan or pot
• A strainer or colander (for the cashews)
• A whisk or spoon

Prep time: 5 minutes (plus soaking time for cashews) Cook time: 10 minutes

How to Make This Yummy Sauce

You’ve got this! Just follow these easy steps and you’ll have a delicious, creamy sauce in no time.

1. Soak your cashews. This is the most important step for getting a super smooth sauce. Put your cashews in a bowl and cover them with water. Let them soak for at least 4 hours. If you’re in a hurry, you can pour hot, almost boiling water over them and let them sit for about 30 minutes. Once they’ve soaked, drain them well and rinse.
2. Add everything to your blender. Now, toss the soaked and drained cashews into your blender. Add the garlic cloves, water or broth, olive oil, salt, pepper, onion powder, nutritional yeast, and lemon juice.
3. Blend until it’s super smooth. This might take a minute or two, so be patient. Blend on high speed until the sauce is completely smooth and creamy. You don’t want any grainy pieces left over. Scrape down the sides if you need to!

4. Pour it into a pot. Pour the smooth sauce into a small saucepan or pot.
5. Heat it up! Place the pot on the stove over medium heat. Stir the sauce constantly with a whisk or spoon. You’ll see it start to get thicker and bubble gently. This is where the magic happens! Keep stirring for about 5-7 minutes. Don’t walk away—you want to make sure it doesn’t stick to the bottom.
6. Taste and adjust. Once the sauce is thick and warm, give it a little taste. Does it need more salt? Maybe a little more pepper? Now is the time to add whatever you think it needs.
7. Serve right away. Pour your delicious, creamy sauce over your favorite cooked pasta. Give it a good stir so all the noodles are coated with that yummy sauce. You can also use it on top of roasted veggies or as a dip for breadsticks.

Healthy Tips & Tricks

Making a yummy meal that’s also good for you is a win-win! This quick dairy-free alfredo sauce is full of good stuff.

• Cashews are tiny powerhouses! They’re full of healthy fats that help your brain think clearly and give you energy to run and play all day long.
• Garlic is great for your body’s “superhero” system, your immune system! It helps keep you from getting sick.
• Nutritional yeast is packed with something called B vitamins. These vitamins help your body turn food into energy.

Make it healthier: An easy way to add more veggies is to add shredded zucchini or cauliflower to the sauce while it’s heating up. You can also mix in some steamed broccoli or peas with your pasta for a pop of color and extra vitamins!

Nutrition Facts (per serving, estimated):

• Calories: 250
• Protein: 8g
• Fiber: 3g
• Healthy Fats: 20g

Family Tip: If you make a big batch of this sauce, you can save some for later. Store it in a glass jar in the fridge for up to 3 days. Or, freeze it in an ice cube tray, then pop the frozen cubes into a freezer bag. This way, you have a little bit of Alfredo sauce ready for a quick meal anytime you need it! For more fun and healthy recipe ideas.

Make It Your Own

The best part about this easy dairy-free alfredo recipe is how you can change it up to make it your very own! Want a spicy kick? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Want it to taste more earthy? Add some fresh mushrooms. The possibilities are endless.

I hope this recipe brings as much joy to your kitchen as it does to mine. It’s a wonderful, creamy, and healthy meal that’s perfect for everyone at the table.

Tell me how your sauce turned out in the comments! What’s your favorite thing to put this yummy sauce on? I can’t wait to hear from you.