10 Quick & Easy Pasta Sauces
These 10 Quick & Easy Pasta Sauces are packed with flavor and perfect for busy weeknights! Creamy, vibrant, and versatile sauces made with simple ingredients like cashews and fresh herbs.
Equipment
- High-speed blender
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Pot for boiling pasta
- Wooden Spoon or Spatula
Ingredients
Base Ingredients for Sauces
- 3/4 cup raw cashews soaked at least 2 hours
- 1/2 cup water for sauce consistency
- 1 medium clove garlic
- 2 teaspoons nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or to taste
- gnocchi or cooked pasta as base for sauce
- fresh herbs minced parsley or chiffonaded basil for garnish
Additional Ingredients for Specific Sauces
- 1 lemon zest and juice for Lemon Basil Cashew Sauce
- a handful fresh basil leaves for Lemon Basil Cashew Sauce
- 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes for Spicy Tomato Cashew Sauce
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes for Spicy Tomato Cashew Sauce
- 1 cup chopped mushrooms for Mushroom Cashew Sauce
- 1 clove garlic minced, for Mushroom Cashew Sauce
- 1 cup fresh basil for Pesto Cashew Sauce
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice for Pesto Cashew Sauce
- 1 medium roasted red pepper for Roasted Red Pepper Cashew Sauce
- 2 cups fresh spinach for Creamy Spinach Cashew Sauce
- 1 ripe avocado for Avocado Cashew Sauce
- 1 lime juice of for Avocado Cashew Sauce
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill for Dill and Lemon Cashew Sauce
- 1 tablespoon curry powder for Curry Cashew Sauce
Instructions
Creamy Garlic Cashew Sauce
- Soak 3/4 cup raw cashews in water for at least 2 hours, then drain.
- In a blender, combine drained cashews, 1/2 cup water, 1 medium clove garlic, 2 teaspoons nutritional yeast, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Blend until smooth.
- Toss with cooked gnocchi or pasta and garnish with fresh parsley.
Lemon Basil Cashew Sauce
- Follow the same base as the creamy garlic sauce.
- Add the zest and juice of 1 lemon and a handful of fresh basil leaves before blending.
- Mix with your choice of pasta and top with additional basil.
Spicy Tomato Cashew Sauce
- Blend 3/4 cup soaked cashews, 1/2 cup water, 1 medium clove garlic, and 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes.
- Add 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Heat in a pan, then serve over pasta.
Mushroom Cashew Sauce
- Sauté 1 cup chopped mushrooms and 1 clove minced garlic until soft.
- Blend soaked cashews, 1/2 cup water, and sautéed mushrooms until creamy.
- Serve with pasta and a sprinkle of fresh thyme.
Pesto Cashew Sauce
- Blend 3/4 cup soaked cashews, 1/2 cup water, 1 cup fresh basil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and 1 clove garlic until smooth.
- Toss with gnocchi or pasta and top with grated vegan cheese.
Roasted Red Pepper Cashew Sauce
- Blend 3/4 cup soaked cashews, 1/2 cup water, 1 medium roasted red pepper, 1 clove garlic, and season with salt and pepper.
- Mix with cooked pasta for a vibrant dish.
Creamy Spinach Cashew Sauce
- Blend soaked cashews, 1/2 cup water, 1 clove garlic, and 2 cups fresh spinach until smooth and creamy.
- Heat in a saucepan and serve over your favorite pasta.
Avocado Cashew Sauce
- Blend 3/4 cup soaked cashews, 1 ripe avocado, 1/2 cup water, 1 clove garlic, and juice of 1 lime.
- Serve immediately over pasta, garnished with cilantro.
Dill and Lemon Cashew Sauce
- Blend soaked cashews, 1/2 cup water, juice of 1 lemon, 1 tablespoon fresh dill, and 1 clove garlic.
- Toss with pasta and top with additional dill.
Curry Cashew Sauce
- Blend soaked cashews, 1/2 cup water, 1 tablespoon curry powder, 1 clove garlic, and salt to taste.
- Heat gently and serve over gnocchi for a unique twist.
Notes
- Soak cashews for at least 2 hours to achieve a creamy texture in sauces.
- Adjust sauce thickness by adding more water for thinner sauces or more cashews for thicker consistency.
- Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Use sunflower or pumpkin seeds as nut-free alternatives to cashews.
- Serve sauces with gluten-free pasta or low-carb alternatives like zucchini noodles for dietary preferences.