Roasted Red Pepper Cashew Cream Pasta (Vegan/Dairy-Free)

Do You Need To Soak Cashews?

What I love about this recipe is that it comes together pretty quickly. There’s no need to soak the cashews – all you need is boiling hot water and a high-speed blender (I use this Vitamix).

The sauce comes out totally smooth in under a minute. Roasting the red peppers only takes about 20 minutes, which is about the same amount of time the pasta needs to cook! 30-minute weeknight dinners? Yes, please!

UPDATE: If you do not have a high-speed blender (like a Vitamix or Blendtec), you may find that soaking the cashews will result in a creamier texture. To do this, simply place the cashews in a glass, jar, or bowl and cover them with water. Place them in the fridge overnight or at least 4 hours before making this recipe. If you DO have a high-speed blender, I promise you can skip this step!

Vitamix Blender

I use this Vitamix almost every day. I bought it about 7 years ago and it still functions perfectly. It makes a super smooth and creamy sauce, smoothie, or soup in seconds!

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Recipe Modifications

While this roasted red pepper cashew cream pasta might taste decadent, it’s actually packed with good-for-you ingredients.

However, if you want to up the fibre and protein content even more, try experimenting with something like bean, lentil, or chickpea-based pastas.

If you want more greens, try having it with some sautéed spinach, kale, or zucchini!

For a gluten-free version, simply swap regular pasta with a gluten-free pasta.

Health Benefits of Cashews

Like other nuts, cashews are an excellent source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids.

They’re also a source of protein, with a 1 oz or 1/4 cup serving providing about 5 grams.

Cashews are a great source of magnesium, which helps to promote proper nerve and muscle function.

They’re also a source of iron, which helps to synthesize hemoglobin and transport oxygen throughout your body.

Health Benefits of Red Bell Peppers

Did you know that bell peppers are one of the best sources of vitamin C? One bell pepper provides 180% of your daily vitamin C needs – that’s way more than an orange (which provides about 115% of your needs)!

Vitamin C helps with collagen formation and keeps your skin healthy, but it also has an antioxidant function, helping to reduce cellular damage.

Bell peppers are rich in other plant compounds called carotenoids, which act as antioxidants too. This mix of plant compounds and various micronutrients are associated with many different health benefits!