Description
Marry Me Pasta is a creamy, flavorful vegetarian dish featuring lentil pasta tossed in a rich cashew and nutritional yeast sauce with sautéed onions, bell peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, butter beans, and fresh spinach. This satisfying meal combines plant-based protein and vibrant veggies for a delicious and nourishing dinner ready in 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Cashew Cream Sauce
- ¼ cup raw cashews
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- 2 cups soy milk
Pasta
- 12 oz lentil pasta
Vegetable Base
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 2 yellow onions, finely sliced
- 2 red bell peppers, thinly sliced
- 1 oz sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 can butter beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the lentil pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to keep warm.
- Prepare Cashew Cream Sauce: In a blender, combine cashews, nutritional yeast, and soy milk. Blend until the mixture is very smooth and creamy. Set this sauce aside for later use.
- Sauté Onions: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and sauté for about 5 minutes until they become soft and translucent.
- Add Peppers and Tomatoes: To the skillet, add the thinly sliced red bell peppers, garlic powder, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Cook while stirring occasionally for about 3 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Add Beans and Seasonings: Stir in the drained butter beans, tomato paste, and dried oregano. Let this mixture simmer gently for about 5 minutes to develop flavor and heat thoroughly.
- Incorporate Cashew Cream: Pour the prepared cashew cream sauce into the skillet and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, to combine and warm through without boiling.
- Combine Pasta and Greens: Add the cooked lentil pasta, fresh spinach, and lemon juice to the skillet. Stir everything together until the spinach wilts and all ingredients are evenly coated with the sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with fresh parsley before serving the dish warm.
Notes
- Soaking cashews for at least 1 hour prior to blending can help achieve a smoother cream sauce.
- For a nut-free option, substitute cashew cream with a cauliflower cream sauce.
- Lentil pasta adds extra protein and fiber compared to traditional wheat pasta.
- Adjust garlic powder and oregano amounts to taste for a more robust flavor.
- This recipe is vegan and can be served with a side salad or crusty bread for a fuller meal.
