Description
A creamy, vibrant Red Pepper Alfredo Sauce made with roasted red bell pepper, cashews, and nutritional yeast (or Parmesan) that pairs perfectly with pasta, spaghetti squash, or veggies. This dairy-free sauce is blended to silky smoothness and warmed gently, making a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional Alfredo sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Sauce Ingredients
- 1 red bell pepper (raw or roasted)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup raw cashews or macadamia nuts
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast or Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
To Serve
- 10 oz pasta or spaghetti squash or vegetables
- Optional grilled or roasted veggies, beans, etc.
Instructions
- Soak Nuts: Place the raw cashews or macadamia nuts into a cereal bowl and cover them with water. Let them soak for 6-8 hours to soften, which will help create a smooth sauce. After soaking, drain fully and pat dry.
- Blend Sauce: In a food processor or high-speed blender, combine the soaked nuts, red bell pepper, 1/2 cup water, nutritional yeast or Parmesan, salt, onion powder, turmeric, and optional nutmeg. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Alternatively, prepare the spaghetti squash or vegetables as preferred.
- Warm Sauce: Transfer the blended sauce to a pot and gently heat on the stove until warmed through, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Do not boil.
- Combine and Serve: Drain the cooked pasta fully without rinsing, then pour the warm Alfredo sauce over it. Stir in any optional grilled or roasted vegetables, beans, or other add-ins. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Soaking the nuts overnight results in the creamiest sauce texture.
- You can use raw or roasted red bell pepper depending on your flavor preference.
- For a dairy-free version, use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.
- Spaghetti squash or steamed veggies can be used as a low-carb alternative to pasta.
- Add herbs like basil or parsley for extra freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/5 of recipe with pasta (about 1 cup sauce and 2 oz pasta)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
