Vegan Pink Sauce Pasta (serves 2)
Description
A creamy, tangy vegan pink sauce pasta made with fresh tomatoes and homemade cashew milk. The sauce is rich and silky without being too heavy, with bell peppers, zucchini, basil, oregano, and a gentle kick from chili flakes.
Ingredients
- 4 medium ripe tomatoes, quartered
- 1/4 cup raw cashew halves
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups dry pasta, such as penne or fusilli
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup sliced red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup sliced green bell pepper
- 1 cup diced zucchini
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 3/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, as needed
Directions
- Place the quartered tomatoes in a saucepan and cook over medium-low heat without adding any water.
- Cover and cook for 8–10 minutes, until the tomatoes soften and release their juices.
- Uncover and cook for another 5–8 minutes, until some of the excess liquid evaporates.
- Let the tomatoes cool slightly, then blend until smooth.
- Blend the 1/4 cup cashews with 1 cup water until completely smooth to make the cashew milk.
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Heat the olive oil in a wide pan over medium-high heat.
- Add the red and green bell peppers and sauté for 2–3 minutes.
- Add the zucchini and cook for another 3–4 minutes, until lightly browned but still slightly crisp.
- Add the blended tomatoes, ketchup, oregano, dried basil, chili flakes, black pepper, and salt.
- Cook uncovered for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomato sauce thickens slightly.
- Reduce the heat to low and pour in the prepared cashew milk.
- Stir well and gently simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Add the cooked pasta and toss until evenly coated in the pink sauce.
- Add reserved pasta water a little at a time, if needed, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
- Add the fresh basil and mix well.
- Taste and adjust the salt, chili flakes, or black pepper as needed.
- Serve hot.