Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 12 oz pasta of choice (chickpea pasta, gluten-free pasta, spaghetti, fettuccine, linguine, penne)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 20 leaves fresh basil, finely chopped
- 1/4 tbsp fresh thyme, finely chopped
- 1/4 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup cashew cream (store-bought or homemade)
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
For the Cashew Cream
- 1/2 cup raw cashew nuts
- 1/4 cup water
- Juice of half a lemon
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: While the pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until golden and fragrant.
- Add Tomato Sauce: Pour in the tomato sauce, season with salt and pepper, and stir well. Let it simmer for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Incorporate Fresh Herbs: Add the finely chopped basil, rosemary, parsley, and thyme to the sauce. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes to allow the herbs to infuse their aromatic flavors.
- Mix in Cashew Cream: Stir in the cashew cream until fully incorporated and creamy.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing gently on low heat for 2-3 minutes so the pasta can absorb the flavorful sauce.
- Serve: Plate the pasta, garnish with fresh thyme or basil leaves, and serve hot.
- Prepare Cashew Cream (Optional): Soak raw cashew nuts in boiling water for 10-15 minutes. Drain and rinse them, then blend in a food processor or blender with 1/4 cup water, lemon juice, and salt until smooth and velvety.
Notes
- Use fresh herbs for best flavor; frozen herbs are acceptable but dried herbs lack the same intensity.
- Finely chop the herbs to ensure they infuse the sauce evenly without any tough bites.
- Prepare the sauce up to 3 days ahead and refrigerate for convenient meal prep.
- The sauce can also be frozen in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months without losing quality.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegan
