Q1: What is the absolute secret to a creamy, not pasty, vegan pasta sauce?

The secret is the brilliant use of blended white beans ! Unlike a traditional flour-based roux, which can sometimes become heavy or pasty, puréed white beans create a sauce that is naturally creamy, light in texture, and packed with protein and fiber.

Q2: What is nutritional yeast, and does this pasta sauce really taste "cheesy"?

Nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast that is a very popular ingredient in vegan cooking. It is sold as a yellow, flaky powder and has a wonderfully savory, nutty, and distinctly "cheesy" umami flavor . It is the absolute key ingredient that gives this sauce its authentic, savory, and cheesy taste without any dairy.

Q3: Can I make the white bean sauce ahead of time?

Yes, this is a perfect make-ahead sauce! You can prepare the entire sauce and store it in an airtight container or a jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days . When you are ready to eat, you can simply reheat it gently in a saucepan on the stovetop while you cook your pasta and vegetables.

Q4: Can I freeze this pasta dish?

The white bean sauce on its own freezes beautifully! Let it cool completely, and then you can store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. It is best to freeze the sauce separately from the pasta and the vegetables for the best final texture.

Q5: What are cannellini beans?

Cannellini beans are a type of white kidney bean that is very popular in Italian cuisine, particularly in Tuscany. They have a wonderful, nutty, and earthy flavor and a creamy, tender texture when cooked, which makes them a perfect, hearty base for this creamy sauce

Dreamy & Creamy Vegan Pasta (Easy Recipe!)

The Best Dreamy & Creamy Vegan Pasta (Easy Recipe!)

A healthy and easy recipe for a creamy vegan pasta dish. The rich, dairy-free sauce is cleverly made from a base of pureed white beans, blended with nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor, fresh lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil. This smooth sauce is then tossed with cooked small shell pasta and a mix of tender-crisp broccoli florets and stems that have been sautéed with onion. The dish is finished with a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts for a crunchy texture.

Author: Grace

Ingredients

For the Creamy Vegan Pasta Sauce:
1 ½ cups cooked white beans, drained and rinsed
¼ cup vegetable broth, plus more as needed
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
¼ cup nutritional yeast
1 garlic clove, minced
¼ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the Pasta:
2 ½ cups small shell pasta
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 small yellow onion, chopped
5 cups broccoli (florets, chopped stems, and leaves)
¼ cup toasted pine nuts
Lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions

Make the Sauce: In a blender, combine the white beans, vegetable broth, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, nutritional yeast, garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Blend until completely smooth. Set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Cook the Vegetables: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, until soft.
Stir in the chopped broccoli stems and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes, until tender.
Add the broccoli florets and leaves to the skillet, along with a splash of water or vegetable broth. Cover the pan, turn off the heat, and let the broccoli steam for 2 to 3 minutes until tender but still bright green.
Combine: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the vegetables. Stir in three-quarters of the prepared sauce, adding more broth if the sauce is too thick.
Season to taste with more salt, pepper, and lemon juice as desired.
Portion the pasta into bowls, top with the remaining sauce and a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts. Serve with lemon wedges on the side.

Notes

This recipe creates a creamy, protein-rich pasta sauce without any dairy by using pureed white beans as the base.
Nutritional yeast is a key ingredient that provides a savory, cheesy flavor to the vegan sauce.
Cooking the tougher broccoli stems for a few minutes before adding the delicate florets ensures that all the broccoli is perfectly cooked.

Find it online: https://www.eatswithsoul.com/dreamy-creamy-vegan-pasta/