Vegan lemony cream sauce, packed with bright and fresh flavor, delightfully coating rigatoni noodles with a drizzle of chili oil. This is a dish inspired by my recent trip to LA, when I visited an incredible vegan Italian restaurant called Pura Vita. Next time you find yourself in the area, make sure to stop by! I knew right away it would be something I needed to recreate.
This dish would be a perfect main to impress your family over the holidays, veggie lovers or not! Plus, it’s incredibly easy and fast to make. I don’t know about ya’ll, but I love cracking open a bottle of wine to cook with and drink, especially when I’m making pasta. Pour yourself a glass and hop into the kitchen!
If you don’t keep wine at home, substitute it in the recipe for more veggie broth. Keep in mind if you omit the wine, you might need a little more lemon juice or zest. Just taste and adjust to your preference!
If you try this recipe, let me know what you think by commenting below, or tag me in your photos on Instagram, @namasteandchow.
Rigatoni with Lemon Cream Sauce
1/2 white onion, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 T olive oil
2 T flour
1/2 c veggie broth
1/2 c almond milk
1/4 c cashews
1/4 c white beans
2 T lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest
1/8 c dry white wine (sauvignon blanc)
1 T nutritional yeast
salt and pepper
1/2 pound rigatoni
chili oil for garnish (optional)
Method:
1. Cook pasta according to directions on the package.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and onion, and cook for 3-4 minutes, until soft and fragrant. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle flour over the veggie mixture and cook for 30 seconds to a minute, stirring constantly. Slowly whisk in almond milk then vegetable broth, careful not to flood the pan or create clumps.
3. Reduce the heat to medium-low and whisk the sauce while it simmers and thickens for about 5 more minutes.
4. Add the sauce to the blender with the cashews, white beans, lemon juice, lemon zest, white wine, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper. Blend until completely smooth.
5. Add the noodles and sauce back to your pot and stir until noodles are well coated and sauce is heated through. Enjoy!