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    Salted Plains » Recipes » Dairy-Free

    Dairy-Free Alfredo Sauce (Gluten-Free)

    Published: May 23, 2020 · Modified: Sep 25, 2021 by Tessa · This post may contain affiliate links · 8 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This dairy-free Alfredo sauce is perfectly creamy and cheesy without the dairy. Serve with your favorite pasta! Gluten-free.

    If you've recently established a new relationship with pasta, you are not alone. 

    Figuring out new and creative ways to serve it up from week to week can be a challenge. This dairy-free Alfredo sauce recipe works as great with fettuccine as it does in a grown-up mac and cheese.

    Alfredo Sauce with Pasta

    Vegan Alfredo Sauce Ingredients

    It's rich and creamy with that cheesy flavor you love without any of the cheese. Traditionally, Alfredo sauce is made by the combination of Parmesan and butter. 

    Neither are used here to make for a healthier Alfredo sauce that whips up in the blender. Here are the major ingredients you'll need:

    • Raw cashews
    • Unsweetened almond milk
    • Lemon juice
    • Olive oil
    • Garlic
    • Nutritional yeast
    • Cayenne pepper
    • Salt and pepper

    Pasta Alfredo

    Making Dairy-Free Alfredo Sauce

    Raw cashews 

    For the base of this creamy sauce, soak the cashews in hot water for at least 5 minutes before adding the other ingredients.

    This allows the cashews to soften, creating that smooth sauce texture.

    Unsweetened almond milk

    Almond milk adds the rich flavor. No butter or cream needed. You'll want to use the unsweetened variety for the best flavor. 

    Nutritional yeast

    A couple tablespoons of nutritional yeast gives this dairy-free sauce its cheesy tang. You can certainly make this recipe without it, but it will alter the sauce's flavor. 

    Pasta with white sauce

    The best part of this recipe is how easily it all comes together. Once your cashews have soaked and drained, the other ingredients are added and blended until smooth. 

    It doesn't get much more simple than that. 

    Stir the Alfredo sauce into your strained pasta and heat on low until warmed. 

    Pasta Alfredo

    Want to add more dairy-free sauces to your repertoire? Check out my vegan roasted red pepper sauce and this helpful list of dairy-free sauces!

    More Dairy-Free Entrees

    Vegan Gluten-Free Mushroom Étouffée 

    Curried Coconut Quinoa Bake

    Creamy Vegan Sweet Potato Soup

    Salsa Verde Quinoa Chili

    Pasta with Alfredo Sauce

    Dairy-Free Alfredo Sauce

    This vegan Alfredo sauce is perfectly creamy and cheesy without the dairy. Serve with your favorite pasta! Gluten-free.
    4.75 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 368kcal
    Author: Tessa

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup (140g) raw cashews
    • ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk
    • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
    • 2 teaspoons olive oil
    • 1 clove minced garlic
    • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
    • couple pinches cayenne pepper
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

    Instructions

    • Place your raw cashews in a high powered blender. Cover with boiling water. Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes. Drain and return cashews to blender.
    • Add almond milk, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, nutritional yeast, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper to the blender. Blend on high, until mixture is smooth.
    • If adding to pasta, transfer to pot with drained pasta and stir over low heat until warmed. This Alfredo sauce recipe works well with 8-10oz package of pasta.
      If using with other proteins, heat Alfredo sauce in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until warm.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 4g | Calories: 368kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 650mg | Potassium: 474mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 4mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @SaltedPlains or tag #saltedplains!
    Pasta with Alfredo Sauce
    « Chocolate Rice Crispy Treats
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jess

      July 18, 2021 at 2:01 pm

      Hi, can you substitute soy milk for the almond milk?

      Reply
      • Tessa

        July 21, 2021 at 9:47 am

        Hi Jess - Soy milk would work great!

        Reply
    2. Verena Greh

      January 17, 2021 at 5:10 pm

      Is it possible to freeze this?

      Reply
      • Tessa

        January 19, 2021 at 5:47 pm

        Hi Verena - I have never frozen this sauce. I would think it would do ok. If you try it, I'd love to hear how it goes.

        Reply
    3. Spencer

      August 15, 2020 at 5:28 pm

      5 stars
      Freaking delicious and super easy to make. Thank you so much!

      Reply
      • Tessa

        September 06, 2020 at 9:18 am

        Glad to hear it! Thank you!

        Reply
    4. Irene

      May 25, 2020 at 9:59 am

      5 stars
      These look like a must try.

      Reply
      • Tessa

        May 26, 2020 at 12:12 pm

        I hope you do!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Tessa! I create gluten-free, real food recipes that are approachable and delicious.

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