Vegan Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
I love this recipe for vegan roasted red pepper sauce so much because it is incredibly creamy and flavor, nutrient-dense, and it keeps well in the fridge. Customize it by swapping in your favorite vegetables if broccoli isn't your thing. Get creative with herbs and spices, and alter the heat level to fit your preferences.
Ingredients
- 1 head broccoli separated into small florets
- 2 red bell peppers roughly chopped
- 1 yellow onion roughly chopped
- 4 cloves garlic smashed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 16 ounces pasta of choice I like anything tube-shaped for this recipe
- 3/4 cup raw cashews soaked in hot water for 20 minutes
- 1 cup reserved pasta cooking water
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp arrowroot starch to thicken
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast more for garnish
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes more for garnish
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 handful fresh basil cut in ribbons
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400. Prepare 2 parchment lined baking sheets. To one, transfer broccoli florets and drizzle with olive oil. Roast for 20-30 minutes or until lightly browned and crispy. To another, transfer bell peppers, onion, garlic, olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Conserve 1 cup pasta water, drain, and set aside.
- Add cashews, 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, tomato paste and arrowroot starch to high powered blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Next, add roasted vegetables, nutritional yeast, Black pepper, salt, red pepper flakes, salt, oregano, smoked paprika. To achieve desired consistency, slowly add remaining pasta water or discard if you prefer your sauce thick. Sauce can also be thinned using vegetable broth or unsweetened plain nut milk
- To a large pot on the stove, combine pasta, broccoli, creamy red pepper sauce, and most of the basil. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed. Serve topped with basil, red pepper flakes, and nutritional yeast or vegan parmesan. Enjoy!