• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Lemons + Zest logo

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Subscribe
  • Our Adoption Story
  • Privacy Policy
  • Follow me!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    You are here: Home / Dinner / Lemon Garlic Cashew Cream Sauce with Fettuccini

    Lemon Garlic Cashew Cream Sauce with Fettuccini

    Last Updated January 10, 2022. Published September 1, 2015 By Lorie 22 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Rich, creamy and delicious, this vegan Lemon Garlic Cashew Cream Sauce tossed in pasta is going to be a new family favorite and they won't even miss the dairy! This dairy free recipe is simple to whip up in the blender or food processor and is ready in under 30 minutes! 

    Lemon Garlic Cashew Cream Sauce over Fettuccini.

    You don't have to be vegan to enjoy this delicious garlic lemon cashew cream sauce! This simple pasta dinner will wow even the biggest meat eaters in the house.

    A simple way to add some more plants into your diet and a delicious creamy pasta dinner--the family will love it!

    Why You Will Love This Garlic Cashew Cream Sauce:

    • It is so easy to make. Soak your cashews, toss everything in the blender and in just a few minutes you are all set. Simple, no nonsense dinner is ready in minutes.
    • The creamy texture without the dairy is amazing. I am always amazed by cashews. They are really versatile. A nut that can turn into a cream sauce? With the power of a blender or food processor, you can have a sauce without the dairy and still enjoy it!
    • Only requires a handful of ingredients. Cashews, lemon, garlic, water and and a couple other ingredients, not much to it! Gotta love minimal ingredient lists.
    • It's an easy way to get more plant protein into your diet! I am not a vegan, and I honestly don't follow any diet or restriction. I do however enjoy some fun and easy ways to eat more plants as I know it can be great for me. This creamy, dreamy cashew cream sauce is a great way to do it.
    Lemon Garlic Cashew Cream Sauce over Pasta.

    Ingredients For This Recipe:

    1. Cashews: Raw, unroasted cashews. Soaked for a minimum of 2 hours. If you are super short on time, you can soak them in hot water for about 30 minutes or so and switch out the hot water as it cools.
    2. Water: Tap, filtered, whatever you prefer.
    3. Garlic: I prefer 2 cloves, but this may be too much for some so you can start with one if you are unsure.
    4. Lemon: I used the juice and zest in this Cashew Cream Sauce to really bring out the lemon.
    5. Crushed Red Pepper: To taste--I add more usually to give it a kick.
    6. Salt and Pepper

    How to Make this Cashew Cream Sauce:

    • Start by soaking your cashews. Some super high powered blender's may be able to blend this sauce easily without soaking, but I suggest soaking to be safe.
    • Rinse the cashews very well before adding to the blender.
    • When ready, boil your pasta and add the sauce ingredients into a high powered blender or food processor. Blend on high until smooth and creamy. Add more water as desired to thin the sauce out and adjust salt and pepper to taste.
    • Toss the sauce with cooked pasta and spinach to wilt the spinach.
    • All set to serve!
    Lemon Garlic Cashew Cream Sauce over pasta.

    Pro-Tips for Making this Cashew Cream Sauce Recipe:

    • Depending on your blender or food processor, you may still have some tiny specks of cashew throughout the sauce. When I use my food processor, I always end up with some little specks of cashew throughout, but my blender whips up the sauce soooooo creamy and smooth. If your appliance isn't super high powered, you may end up in the same spot as well. A high powered blender is hands down the ideal appliance for this recipe.
    • Don't soak the cashews too long. this can cause the cashew cream sauce to come out an odd texture and watery. You only need to soak them for about 2-4 hours or so.
    • Add other ingredients for even more flavor! The cashew cream sauce is a nice base but feel free to play around with some other spices and herbs. Add a bit of fresh basil (which is amaaaaaazing), some parsley or whatever else sounds delicious.
    • To speed up the soak time, you can soak your cashews in very hot water. If you are short on time, you can add very hot water to your cashews and soak for about 20-30 minutes before rinsing and adding to the blender.
    Lemon Garlic Cashew Cream Sauce with pasta.

    Other Simple Dinner Recipes:

    • 15 Minute Lentil Sloppy Joe Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
    • Butter Herb Instant Pot Salmon
    • Baked Orange Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner
    • Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
    • Pumpkin Ricotta Pasta Bake
    • Creamy Pesto + Spinach Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

    HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest for all the latest!

    Lemon Garlic Cashew Cream Sauce with Fettuccine

    Rich, creamy and delicious, this vegan Lemon Garlic Cashew Cream Sauce tossed in pasta is going to be a new family favorite and they won't even miss the dairy! This dairy free recipe is simple to whip up in the blender or food processor and is ready in under 30 minutes! 
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Soak Time: 4 hours
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 399kcal
    Author: Lorie Yarro

    Ingredients 

    • 1 cup raw cashews Soaked in water for 2-4 hours
    • ⅔ - 1 cup water more for thinner sauce
    • 1 -2 garlic cloves
    • Juice of half lemon
    • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
    • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
    • ½ teaspoon Sea Salt
    • ½ teaspoon Cracked Pepper
    • 1 cup baby spinach
    • 8 oz. fettuccine pasta

    Instructions

    • Soak cashews for about 2-4 hours and rinse them very well before adding to blender. When ready to make this recipe, cook your pasta according to package instructions.
    • While pasta boils, combine soaked cashews, water, garlic clove, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and pepper in a high powered blender or food processor.
    • Process until a smooth creamy sauce, scraping down the sides as needed. Add more water one tablespoon at a time if it seems too thick.
    • When pasta is cooked, drain and put back into pot. Add in spinach and stir to wilt.
    • After spinach has wilted, add about half of the cream sauce and turn heat to low.
    • Stir to coat adding more sauce as desired.
    • Once sauce is heated, remove from heat and serve.

    Notes

    • Depending on your blender or food processor, you may still have some tiny specks of cashew throughout the sauce. When I use my food processor, I always end up with some little specks of cashew throughout, but my blender whips up the sauce soooooo creamy and smooth. If your appliance isn't super high powered, you may end up in the same spot as well. A high powered blender is hands down the ideal appliance for this recipe.
    • Don't soak the cashews too long. this can cause the cashew cream sauce to come out an odd texture and watery. You only need to soak them for about 2-4 hours or so.
    • Add other ingredients for even more flavor! The cashew cream sauce is a nice base but feel free to play around with some other spices and herbs. Add a bit of fresh basil (which is amaaaaaazing), some parsley or whatever else sounds delicious.
    • To speed up the soak time, you can soak your cashews in very hot water. If you are short on time, you can add very hot water to your cashews and soak for about 20-30 minutes before rinsing and adding to the blender.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 399kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 319mg | Potassium: 400mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 777IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 3mg
    Did you try this recipe? I would love to see it! Mention @LemonsAndZest or tag #LemonsAndZest!

    Shop This Post:

    Image of Vitamix Blender

    Vitamix Blender

    Buy Now →
    Image of Zester

    Zester

    Buy Now →
    Image of Citrus Juicer

    Citrus Juicer

    Buy Now →
    Image of Silicone Spatulas

    Silicone Spatulas

    Buy Now →
    « Letters to Eli
    Chocolate Coconut Date Balls »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jen says

      March 21, 2023 at 8:47 pm

      5 stars
      Turned out great! Blended up beautifully in my Vitamix. I was going to make asparagus to go with but I’m out, but this sauce was so good on its own! Will definitely make again.

      Reply
      • Lorie says

        March 24, 2023 at 10:20 am

        Yay! So happy to hear this!

        Reply
    « Older Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to lemons + zest!

    Hello! I’m Lorie, welcome to lemons + zest! If you love to eat, and you love delicious, simple recipes, then you are in the right place. When it comes to cooking these days, I firmly believe that if it takes too long, or too much work to make, then it’s not for me. Read More…

    30 Minute Dinners

    Air fryer fish tacos on white plate with lime and fresh cilantro.

    Air Fryer Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw

    Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken with Tomato and Basil

    Spinach Ricotta Chicken

    Baked Orange Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

    Easy Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers

    Ground beef pasta recipe in skillet with parsley and basil on top.

    Simple Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

    honey lime chicken fajitas on sheet pan.

    Honey Lime Baked Chicken Fajitas

    Simple Ground Turkey Skillet Dinner

    Skillet with chicken thighs and fresh parsley on top.

    Creamy Chicken Thighs with Mushrooms

    Vegan sloppy Joes on bun with chips.

    15 Minute Vegan Sloppy Joes

    Top Recipes

    Cream of mushroom bone in pork chop with parsley on top over mashed potatoes.

    Cream of Mushroom Pork Chops

    Peanut Butter banana overnight oats.

    Protein Overnight Oats

    Vanilla Cold Brew Coffee Overnight Oats

    Air fryer fish tacos on white plate with lime and fresh cilantro.

    Air Fryer Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw

    Lemon orzo salad in white bowl with fresh parsley on top.

    Easy Lemon Orzo Salad With Feta

    Tortellini caprese pasta salad in bowl with balsamic glaze.

    Tortellini Caprese Salad

    Overhead view of Air Fryer BBQ Chicken on cutting board.

    Simple Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast

    Pop tarts with sprinkles stacked.

    Easy Homemade Pop Tarts with Pie Crust

    More 30 Minute Recipes →

    Copyright © 2023 · lemons + zest