Craving a delicious, creamy pasta dish that's completely plant-based and packed with flavor? Look no further! This Cheezy Vegan Veggie Pasta is about to revolutionize your dinner routine, proving that dairy-free can be mind-blowingly delicious. Imagine twirling your fork into a plate of perfectly cooked pasta, coated in a luscious "cheese" sauce that's not only incredibly tasty but also nutritious and kind to the planet.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta of choice
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
- 1/4 cup almond milk
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and add a pinch of salt. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Add pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions, typically 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- While pasta is cooking, wash and chop broccoli florets into bite-sized pieces. Halve the cherry tomatoes.
- During the last 3 minutes of pasta cooking, add broccoli florets to the same pot to steam them alongside the pasta.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together nutritional yeast, almond milk, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to create a creamy cheese-like sauce.
- Once pasta and broccoli are cooked, drain in a colander, reserving about 1/4 cup of pasta water.
- Return pasta and broccoli to the pot, pour the nutritional yeast sauce over, and gently toss to coat evenly. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water.
- Add halved cherry tomatoes and mix gently to distribute throughout the pasta.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve hot, garnishing with extra nutritional yeast or fresh herbs if desired.
Tips
- Choose Your Pasta Wisely: Opt for whole grain or protein-rich pasta like chickpea or lentil pasta to boost nutritional value.
- Nutritional Yeast Hack: Toast the nutritional yeast lightly in a dry pan before mixing to enhance its nutty, cheesy flavor.
- Don't Drain All the Pasta Water: Reserving some starchy pasta water helps create a smoother, more cohesive sauce.
- Veggie Variations: Feel free to swap or add vegetables like spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers for extra nutrition and color.
- Sauce Consistency: If your sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water to achieve the perfect creamy texture.
- Boost Protein: Add some crispy tofu cubes or chickpeas for an extra protein punch.
- Fresh is Best: Use fresh garlic instead of powder for a more robust flavor if you have time.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 324kcal
Carbohydrates: 51g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
