Vegan Vodka Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion (finely chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• ¾ cup tomato paste
• ¼ cup vodka
• ½ cup raw cashews (soaked 4 hours or boiled 10 minutes (reserve some of the water))
• 1 tbsp nutritional yeast (sub for vegan parmesan)
• ½ tsp salt (more to taste)
• ¼ tsp ground black pepper (more to taste)
• 10 oz. gluten-free pasta (of your choosing)

Steps

1. 1

   Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.

2. 2

   Add tomato paste and simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly reduced.

3. 3

   Add vodka and simmer for another 3-4 minutes to reduce the vodka.

4. 4

   Meanwhile, blend soaked cashews. Add water as needed, about ¼ cup, and blend until very smooth.

5. 5

   Stir cashew cream into the vodka sauce.

6. 6

   Add nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper. Simmer 2-3 more minutes until creamy. Keep the sauce warm until the pasta is done.

7. 7

   Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and reserve some pasta water and add it to the sauce to thin it to your preference, about 1 cup. Toss pasta with the sauce.

8. 8

   Garnish with vegan cheese or fresh basil to your liking. Serve warm and enjoy!