Almond Milk Alfredo Sauce Recipe

If you follow a dairy-free diet or are just looking for ways to reduce your dairy intake, then this Almond Milk Alfredo Sauce is perfect for you.

This “cheesy” cashew-based sauce is easy to make and perfectly mimics the dairy version. Toss it with your favorite pasta or use it just as you would regular alfredo sauce.  

What Is Almond Milk Alfredo Sauce?

Almond milk alfredo sauce is a dairy-free and vegan alternative to traditional alfredo sauce.

It doesn’t contain cheese, butter, or any other animal products, but thanks to the addition of almond milk and cashews, it maintains the creamy consistency of traditional alfredo sauce.

How to Make the Best Almond Milk Alfredo Sauce

Alfredo sauce is one of the most popular pasta sauces, second to a classic marinara sauce.

In a nutshell, alfredo sauce is a creamy white sauce that consists of heavy cream, cheese and butter. It is typically tossed or layered with pasta and adds a rich flavor to any dish. 

This recipe is completely dairy-free yet comforting and creamy. Here are the ingredients:

• Cashews
• Plain unsweetened almond milk
• Fresh garlic
• Nutritional yeast
• Freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Salt

The secret to making the best vegan alfredo sauce is to thicken it with raw cashews. 

Soak the cashews in boiling water for about an hour to soften them and make them easier to blend.

Now if you aren’t a fan of cashews, then feel free to substitute with almonds, macadamia nuts or even sunflower seeds. Just know that the sunflower seeds will give the sauce a darker color and different flavor. 

Almonds are the closest substitute for this recipe, in my opinion.

On the other hand, if you have a nut allergy, then omit the cashews altogether and use 2 tablespoons of cornstarch or all-purpose flour instead.

If using cornstarch, I recommend heating the sauce before adding it to pasta or other dishes to activate the cornstarch or flour.

Once the cashews are soaked, drain them and add them to a high-speed blender along with the rest of the ingredients.

Blend the ingredients for 1-2 minutes until you get a smooth and creamy consistency. It'll look something like this.

The lemon juice in this recipe helps to cut through the cashew flavor and enhance the pungent “cheese-like” essence that comes from the nutritional yeast.

Nutritional Yeast is a great source of protein and B vitamins and adds a “cheesy” flavor to any dish.

Once everything is blended, bottle it up (I like to use a mason jar) and store it in the refrigerator.

Substitutions & Alternatives 

Want to customize this dish? Here are some good alternatives to the main ingredients.

Cashews 

Cashews help to make this vegan alfredo sauce thick and creamy. Feel free to substitute with almonds, macadamia nuts, or even sunflower seeds. 

Please note that sunflower seeds will give the sauce a darker color, and the taste might differ. If you have a nut allergy, then feel free to omit the cashews completely.

You can thicken the sauce, blend in 2 tablespoons of cornstarch or all-purpose flour instead. 

Nutritional Yeast 

Nutritional yeast adds amazing cheesy flavor to this sauce. Alternatively, you can use your favorite vegan parmesan cheese if you’d like.

Lemon Juice

You might find it strange to add lemon juice to a creamy sauce, but for this recipe, it makes all the difference. 

The lemon juice helps to cut through the cashew taste while balancing out the sauce. Feel free to substitute with lime juice if you don’t have lemon juice. 

How to Store Almond Milk Alfredo Sauce

One of the best things about this almond milk alfredo sauce is that it keeps well in the refrigerator.

Store any leftovers in the refrigerator in a clean airtight container for up to 7 days.

If you don’t intend to use it within that time frame, then it can be kept frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. 

When you’re ready to thaw your almond milk alfredo sauce, place it in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat it in a saucepan over medium-low heat.

Be sure to stir occasionally to prevent burning. 

What to Serve with Almond Milk Alfredo Sauce

The reality is that this almond milk alfredo sauce is delicious enough to eat on its own – as in straight off the spoon. 

However, you can also enjoy it with your favorite pasta, spooned over some creamy mashed potatoes, or even over some steamed vegetables such as broccoli or carrots. To be honest, the options are endless!