Creamy Dairy Free Pasta Sauce
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Here's an everyday dairy free pasta sauce that's rich, creamy, and flavorful. It's a lot like a rosƩ cream sauce but without all the butter and cream. Toss it with your favorite pasta or veggie noodles for a quick, easy, and healthy dinner the whole family will enjoy!
Reader Maya says, āI LOVE THIS RECIPE. i make it for my non vegan family all of the time and they love it. i dont add the fish sauce in and it tastes amazing! you cant even tell that theres no cream in there!! this is to die for. 100% recommend making this. its also ready in less than 15 minutes. ā ā ā ā ā ā
My family LOVES this dairy free pasta recipe!
It's always a big win if there's a unanimous nod of approval when dinner hits the table at my house. This dairy free creamy pasta sauce is one such recipe, and has quickly become a family favorite! Here's why we love it:
- It manages to be creamy, rich, and flavorful without using any butter, cream, or cheese making it 100% dairy free.
- It's lighter than traditional cream-based pasta sauces so it won't weigh you down.
- It's easy to make with a few wholesome ingredients.
- It's ready in just 10 minutes!
I use tomatoes in this creamy dairy free pasta sauce so it's more like a rosƩ cream sauce than an alfredo sauce. The not-so secret ingredient that makes it creamy is soaked cashews. When cashews are soaked and blended, they make a perfect dairy-free substitute for heavy cream, sour cream, and more!
My family much prefers using cashews over other common ingredients like coconut milk because they're netural in flavor. You'll notice we use fish sauc,e which might seem like an odd ingredient, but it's a great seasoning for this sauce, giving it a rich umami taste.
It's a versatile sauce you can serve over any style of noodle like spaghetti, penne, chickpea or lentil pasta, or even veggie noodles. I always sprinkle it with some fresh basil and dried chili flakes, and serve it with a big beautiful saladĀ with whatever is in season.
Frequently asked questions
If you don't find the answer you're looking for here, you can ask it in the comments below and we'll get back to you as soon as possible!
Can I make this sauce ahead of time?
You bet! You can make this sauce up to 3 days in advance, and store it in the fridge until you're ready to use it.
Can I freeze this sauce?
Yes, this sauce freezes well. It can be stored in a freezer-safe, airtight container for up to three months.
How do I make it vegan?
To make this sauce vegan, swap the fish sauce for a vegan alternative. You can also use a bit of soy sauce or tamari.
Is it gluten-free?
It is, but some fish sauces contain gluten so be sure to check the label of your bottle to be 100% sure.
More dairy-free pasta recipes
Dairy Free Pasta Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces dried pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion (chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 Ā¼ cups raw cashews (see notes)
- 1 Ā½ cup water
- 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 3 tablespoons fish sauce (omit or use vegan substitute if needed ā see notes)
- Minced basil or parsley (to serve)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.8 ounces dried pasta
- Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until it is soft and starting to brown. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 medium onion, 3 cloves garlic
- Transfer the onions and garlic to your high-powered blender or food processor. Add the cashews and water and blend on high until completely smooth.1 Ā¼ cups raw cashews, 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes, 1 teaspoon sea salt, 3 tablespoons fish sauce, 1 Ā½ cup water
- Pour the cashew cream back into the pan and add the crushed tomatoes, sea salt, and (if using) the fish sauce. Whisk well and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat. Serve with some minced basil or parsley over top.Minced basil or parsley
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
For more inspiration, check out all of our pasta recipes!
Try our dairy free pesto with toasted cashews for another delicious pasta sauce that's completely dairy-free!
I LOVE THIS RECIPE. i make it for my non vegan family all of the time and they love it. i dont add the fish sauce in and it tastes amazing! you cant even tell that theres no cream in there!! this is to die for. 100% recommend making this. its also ready in less than 15 minutes.
I am thrilled to have found this!! It was delicious! Iām on a low mold diet so I omitted the fish sauce & it was still so good. My husband said itās restaurant quality & I agree. Thank you for sharing a recipe that makes me feel normal again. I just need to come up with other ways to use the sauce…any ideas? Over fish? Beef?
That makes me so happy to hear! I’ve served with fish before and it’s delicious. It’s also great over spaghetti squash. š
Super easy and incredibly delicious! Thank you so much for this great recipe!!
You are so welcome!
I’m always looking for great dairy free recipes and this one is one of the best I’ve tried. It’s so creamy! Thank you for sharing it.
I’m so happy to hear it was a hit!