Alfredo Pasta Salad

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If you’re craving something creamy and delicious without any dairy, you’re in the right place. This Alfredo pasta salad is a game-changer for quick meals or potlucks. Packed with plant-based flavors, it’s a dish that satisfies your taste buds and is perfect for sharing with friends or family. Dig into a bowl of creamy goodness that’s both healthy and tasty. You won’t miss the cheese with this flavorful twist on an Italian classic.

Tool Requirements

To make Alfredo pasta salad, gather some basic kitchen tools. You’ll need a large pot to boil your pasta. A colander is helpful for draining it once cooked.

A blender or food processor is essential for making the creamy vegan Alfredo sauce. You also need a mixing bowl to combine everything.

Have a knife and cutting board ready for prepping any additional ingredients, like vegetables.

It’s useful to have a spatula or large spoon for mixing the salad ingredients together. A set of measuring cups and spoons will help with getting the right amount of each component.

Preparing The Ingredients

Start by gathering your ingredients. You’ll need pasta, like rotini or penne, which works well because it holds onto the sauce. Cook it according to the package instructions and then let it cool.

For the sauce, grab some cashews. Soak them in water for about 2 hours to make them soft enough to blend smoothly. This gives the sauce a creamy texture without dairy.

Chop up your favorite vegetables. Broccoli, cherry tomatoes, and bell peppers add a nice crunch and burst of color. Wash them thoroughly and cut into bite-sized pieces.

Don’t forget the spinach! It adds a fresh flavor and blends well with the pasta. Rinse and dry it before adding it to your salad.

If you like a little extra flavor, you can use fresh basil. Tear it into small pieces to spread its aroma throughout the dish.

For seasoning, you’ll need garlic, lemon juice, and nutritional yeast. These ingredients give the Alfredo sauce its cheesy and tangy flavor. Mince the garlic and squeeze the lemon juice beforehand.

Finally, get some olive oil. You’ll need it to help blend the ingredients smoothly and add a nice richness to the sauce.

Once you have everything ready, you’re all set to make your Alfredo pasta salad!

Serving Suggestions

Serve your salad cold for a refreshing experience. If you prefer, let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors blend nicely.

Pair the salad with a crusty bread or a fresh garden salad. This adds variety to your meal. You can also add some croutons on top for a nice crunch.

Drizzle a little lemon juice or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast before serving. These add a burst of flavor. You might want to garnish with fresh basil or parsley to brighten up the dish.

Consider serving it in individual bowls for a casual lunch or as a side dish during dinner. It works great for picnics or potlucks, too. If you’re hosting, serving it in a large decorative bowl makes it look inviting.

For a cozy dinner, serve alongside grilled vegetables or a hearty soup. These combinations can create a satisfying and warm meal experience.

Enjoy your pasta salad with a tall glass of iced tea or chilled white wine. These drinks complement the creamy flavors well.

Storage Tips

After making your Alfredo pasta salad, you might wonder how to keep it fresh.

• It’s best to store it in an airtight container. This helps keep out unwanted moisture and keeps the flavors tasty.
• Place your container in the refrigerator. This keeps the pasta salad cool and safe to eat for about 3 to 4 days. Make sure the fridge is at the right temperature.
• Before putting it in the fridge, let the pasta salad cool down a bit if it’s still warm from cooking. This way, you avoid warming up other food items in the fridge.
• When you’re ready to eat, give the salad a good stir. If it looks a little dry, you can add a splash of plant-based milk or a drizzle of olive oil to bring back some creaminess.
• If you see that the salad isn’t good to eat anymore, it’s better to toss it instead of taking a risk with spoiled food. Keeping these tips in mind will help you enjoy your tasty pasta salad for days!

Alfredo Pasta Salad

This easy alfredo pasta salad is exactly what you're looking for! It's filled with a bunch of veggies and you can add your favorite type of pasta. Serve it as a vegan pasta salad recipe that's simple to make and is perfectly suitable for lunch or dinner.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Course Main Course, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine Italian

Servings 2 servings

Calories 580 kcal

Ingredients

  

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• 2 cups of pasta rotini or penne
• 1/2 cup of cashews
• 1 cup of broccoli chopped
• 1 cup of cherry tomatoes chopped
• 1 bell pepper chopped
• 1 cup of spinach rinsed and dried
• 2 tablespoons of fresh basil torn
• 1 clove of garlic minced
• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil

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Instructions

 

• Cook the pasta according to the package instructions and let it cool.
• Soak the cashews in water for about 2 hours to soften them.
• Chop the broccoli, cherry tomatoes, and bell pepper into bite-sized pieces.
• Rinse and dry the spinach.
• Tear the fresh basil into small pieces.
• Mince the garlic and squeeze the lemon juice.
• Drain the soaked cashews and blend them with garlic, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, and olive oil to create a creamy sauce.
• Combine the cooked pasta, chopped vegetables, and spinach in a large bowl.
• Pour the cashew Alfredo sauce over the pasta and vegetables.
• Add the torn basil and mix everything together until well-coated.
• Your creamy Alfredo pasta salad is ready to enjoy.

Nutrition

Calories: 580kcal

Keyword Vegan

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Stefan K.

Stefan has been vegan since 2019 and has been regularly working on his strength since the beginning of 2023. He’s on a mission to help other vegans get stronger and have all of them achieve the quality of life they deserve.