Dairy-Free Cashew Alfredo Sauce

Last summer I made cauliflower “Alfredo” sauce. It was a smash hit in our house. But I did get to thinking, it tastes an awful lot like cauliflower, as one might expect of a cauliflower sauce. What if a recipe called for a basic Alfredo sauce but one couldn’t have dairy? As delicious as cauliflower sauce is, there are times when you need something even more basic but still completely delicious and dairy-free. Like those times I keep thinking I’m going to translate The Gram’s Italian recipes into something paleo. Just whatever, man, a girl can dream. And so, Dairy-Free Cashew Alfredo Sauce is born. And it’s love.

Why? Because aside from tasting so freaking delectable, here’s the thing – I don’t think you can screw this recipe up if you tried. Like, I don’t even think Mom could screw this up, and she couldn’t even bake a potato (that is a completely true statement – the potatoes weren’t baked evenly, we had guests for dinner, and they politely ate them, omigod!).

Why can’t you screw this up? Because it’s one of those throw-in-whatever-you-like recipes. The kind where you add ingredients and taste along the way until you get what you want. Pretty much the way I cook all my meals when I am not blogging. The way my dad cooks. What’s the recipe for that, Dad? “I have no idea. It’s just whatever I pour in the bowl of whatever I want to eat at that moment.”

Fair enough.

So about this Dairy-Free Cashew Alfredo Sauce. What I give you are base amounts. Add more of everything, as desired, including olive oil for a richer flavor. And then slather it all over whatever you are eating. We eat it with pasta noodles or veggie noodles. I have dreamed about slathering it all over a hamburger. What about eating it like a soup, as depicted in these updated photos with super-cute bowls from Target? No. Definitely not like that.

#YesTotallyLikeThat

Also, about Target. I went for household cleaning supplies and came out with M&Ms and these bowls. I can’t remember who did what to whom. However, prior to my errand, there were a lot of words in the house from people under the age of 10, and crayons and tears. So I went to Target with a full intent to make responsible purchases. And then I ate M&Ms in my car. But maybe I can claim these bowls are “supplies” for the “household.” As for cleaning? Well, they do require cleaning. #CloseEnough

If you don’t have a bowl nearby, then slather this Alfredo sauce all over a spoon. You won’t be disappointed. Add your favorite herbs or a little pepper. Basically, just add all the things.

An earlier photo from September 2016!

If you want to pack a true punch, make it a day ahead of time to give the seasonings and garlic time to set. And if you want to make large batches to store for later, use freezer-safe jars, leaving plenty of room at the top for expansion. As for soaking the cashews ahead of time, that is a personal choice. I like to soak them for at least a few hours. But in a pinch, I would absolutely throw them in the blender without soaking. Expect to add a little more water and blend a little longer.

Seriously, however you choose to prepare this and whatever you choose to pair it with, Dairy-Free Cashew Alfredo Sauce is just waiting for you to make it on a day of the week ending in “day.”

Dairy-Free Cashew “Alfredo” Sauce

Print Recipe

• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins
• Total Time: 20 mins
• Yield: 3 cups 1x

Ingredients

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• 1 3/4 – 2 cups water
• 3 1/2 cups cashews (soaked, optional)
• 1/8 tsp sea salt
• 2 cloves garlic, pressed
• 2 tbsp olive oil, optional
• dash of pepper
• Herbs as a garnish or mix-in

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Instructions

1. Combine water and cashews in high-speed blender. Blend on low to medium speed until smooth, adding more water, if necessary.
2. Add sea salt and continue blending on low to medium speed.
3. Add garlic and olive oil (If using) and blend until smooth.
4. Stir in herbs, if using, and add a dash of pepper.
5. Heat in saucepan if serving immediately and mix with desired foods.
6. Store in glass jars (freezer-safe for long-term storage).