If an alien shapeshifter tried to impersonate my husband, you know how I would know? Fettuccine alfredo. Other people like alfredo, but my husband loves it. So if the shapeshifter sat down with my family and didn’t immediately dive for the bowl creamy goodness, I’d 1000% know something was up.
Making alfredo has been tricky recently, because I’m temporarily dairy-free as part of my healing journey. Fortunately, this rich, creamy, and garlicky dairy-free alfredo sauce is such a hit that my littlest literally kissed me the first time he tasted it. (I had to wipe the sauce off my cheek!)
While traditional alfredo sauce gets its flavor and texture from heavy cream and parmesan cheese, this sauce gets its “cheesy” creaminess from caramelized garlic, nutritional yeast, velvety whipped cashews, and a handful of other ingredients. I know, it sounds like it wouldn’t work, but it does . . . . even my husband approves.
4 Ways To Use Dairy-Free Alfredo Sauce
- Over your favorite gluten-free fettuccine noodles (or spaghetti squash “noodles”) with grilled shrimp or chicken
- To make alfredo pizza with a gluten-free crust
- Over roasted broccoli or cauliflower
- As a dipping sauce for homemade garlic bread (I’d use a crusty loaf like this one)
Dairy-Free Alfredo Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 3 cups water
- ¾ cup chicken broth
- 2 tsp olive oil
- ⅓ cup yellow onion (diced)
- 5 tsp minced garlic
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Place cashews in a heat-resistant bowl. Bring three cups of water to a boil and pour them into the bowl with the cashews. Set a timer for 15 minutes.
- Add olive oil to a skillet and saute the onions and garlic over medium heat until they are lightly caramelized. Place them in the blender along with the nutritional yeast, salt, black pepper and lemon juice.
- When the cashews have soaked for 15 minutes, drain the water from the bowl and add the cashews and chicken broth to a high-speed blender. Puree until smooth. Taste and add additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice if desired.
- Serve over fettuccine noodles and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use coconut milk or almond milk instead of water/chicken broth?
I tested this recipe with a variety of non-dairy milk options, including coconut, unsweetened almond and homemade unsweetened oat milk. The coconut milk version was too sweet, but the other two worked well.
Do I need a high-speed blender to make this?
I find they really help get this sauce super smooth, but if you have a lot of patience and can spend some extra time pureeing a regular blender will probably work, too.
Do I have to use nutritional yeast? I am intolerant to yeast so a substitution would be AWESOME!
I have made this sauce! I’m surprised and extremely happy at what cashews and nutritional yeast can do for a dairy free person. Thanks!
My kids love Alfredo! We’re in middle of kitchen remodel but can’t wait to try this! Love your idea to coax sweetness and flavor from caramelized alliums and finishing it off in the Vitamix! Genius and easy! Thank you!
I am allergic to cashews and other tree nuts. Any alternatives to the cashews in this recipe?
I made a Mac and cheese recipe that used tahini in it instead. That is made from sesame seeds. Or maybe you could try pepitas, it probably would not be as creamy though. I wouldn’t know the amounts to use.
We don’t like the flavor of nutritional yeast. Would this be just as good without it?
I’m not sure how to answer that. I don’t love nutritional yeast on its own but I like the “cheesy” flavor it adds to this recipe. I think it would be kind of bland without it, so if you don’t like nutritional yeast in any form this might not be the best recipe to try.
Can you freeze this sauce? Also, how long would you say it will last in the fridge?
Can this recipe be made ahead of time and then frozen?
I haven’t tested it but I don’t think so – it would probably change the texture.
Can this sauce be frozen?