Vegan Alfredo Fettuccine

Creamy, gooey, and super indulgent. No, it’s not a dessert – it’s a big bowl of Vegan Fettuccine Alfredo!

When it comes to pasta, there is no dish more decadent than this creation, which takes the simplicity of Italian cooking and adds an indulgent American twist.

Traditionally, the Alfredo sauce you’ll find in restaurants is made with butter, heavy cream, and cheese, making it very unsuitable for vegans or anyone following a plant-based or plant-forward diet.

Thankfully, we are able to harness the creamy power of almond milk, cashews, and vegan parmesan to create an Alfredo for a plant-based diet. That’s right, there’s no need to miss out on this comfort food any longer!

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What is Alfredo Fettuccine?

Time to spoil any preconceptions you may have had – Alfredo sauce is not a traditional fixture on Italian menus! If you ask for it in a restaurant in Italy, you will likely be greeted with a look of confusion.

But the globally accepted version of how this dish came to life does begin in Italy, in 1914 when Roman restaurant owner Alfredo di Lelio made a nourishing dish of plain pasta tossed with butter and parmesan for his pregnant wife.

With his wife’s approval, Alfredo added the dish to his restaurant’s menu. When famed American actors Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford visited in 1920, the pair brought the recipe back to the USA, where it has remained a favorite ever since.

We love this dish so much, so we have adapted it into a vegan version to guarantee it will survive another century!

Is Alfredo Fettuccine Vegan?

No – far from it! With a sauce of butter, heavy cream, and cheese – as well as fresh egg pasta – there is very little about the original recipe that is vegan.

Thankfully we can use whole-food alternatives to replicate the original flavor, offering both a healthier and cruelty-free version that everybody can enjoy.

Is this Vegan Alfredo Fettuccine Gluten-Free?

The sauce is gluten-free, although the gluten content in the final dish will depend on the pasta you buy.

If you are following a gluten-free diet, you should seek out a gluten-free fettuccine. It’s pretty easy to find this in your local grocery store, health food store, or online.

Is Vegan Alfredo Fettuccine Easy to Make?

It’s not too complex, although it will require just under an hour of your time from preparation to serving, and requires a few pots and pans.

You will be looking at around 20 minutes of prep time, with an additional 25 minutes of cooking time. Then you can enjoy it!

What is Vegan Alfredo Fettuccine Made Of?

For this recipe – which serves four people – you need to make the sauce first, then combine it with the pasta and finishing touches for serving.

For the sauce you will need:

• Cauliflower  
• Almond milk
• Cashews
• Olive oil
• Garlic
• Lemon juice
• Nutritional yeast
• Dijon Mustard
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Water

For the pasta and serving, you will need:

• Fettuccine (or your favorite pasta)
• Olive oil
• Garlic
• Fresh parsley
• Vegan parmesan

How to Make Vegan Alfredo Fettuccine

We start by preparing the sauce. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil, then add in the cauliflower florets and cook for around 8 minutes.

Once the cauliflower is cooked, drain it, then transfer it to a blender. Into the blender, also add the almond milk, cashews, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, Dijon Mustard, and salt and pepper to taste. Then blend!

When you get a smooth and creamy sauce, it’s ready. If it’s too thick for your liking (or your blender), add a little water until it is at the desired consistency.

It’s now time to cook the pasta in salted water, which will take around ten minutes, although we recommend following the package instructions, as this may vary. When it’s ready, drain the pasta and pour over a drizzle of olive oil to prevent it from sticking together, then set aside.

In a large skillet over medium heat, add the pasta, olive oil, and the minced garlic. Let it cook for around one minute, then remove it from heat. Pour the sauce over the pasta and mix everything together with some tongs. When the pasta is completely covered, you are ready to serve!

Fill your dish, then sprinkle the coated pasta with chopped parsley and vegan parmesan. Buon appetito!

Tips for the Best Vegan Alfredo Fettuccine

If at any point the sauce seems too thick, simply add a little water. A good tip is to save some of the water the pasta was cooked in as this is full of starch, which adds a little extra creaminess to the recipe.

Always be careful and add less water than you think you need. It’s easy to add more water to the recipe, but it’s difficult to remove it!

When it comes to the pasta, fettuccine is the traditional type used for Alfredo sauce, as the broad noodles offer ample surface area for the sauce. However, it works well with any pasta you have on hand.

Experiment by adding toppings. You can give it a healthy kick by adding steamed or grilled vegetables, or chop some fried vegan bacon and sprinkle it on top for a satisfying addition.

FAQ

How to Store Vegan Alfredo Fettuccine

If you have made too much sauce or you want to prepare the sauce in advance, then you can do so. Prepare it as instructed, then transfer the sauce to a covered container or sealable jar and store it in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Can You Freeze Vegan Alfredo Fettuccine?

Naturally, this is a dish that’s at its creamy best when served fresh. But if you need to keep leftovers or have made too much, then you can freeze it.

It is best to freeze the sauce alone, then add it to freshly cooked pasta. Freeze the sauce in ice cube trays for easier portion control then transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe bag. Allow it to thaw completely in the fridge before heating.

Can You Make Vegan Alfredo Fettuccine Ahead of Time?

You can make the sauce ahead of time by preparing it as instructed in the recipe, then storing it in a sealed container or airtight jar. Stored in this way, the sauce will last for up to three days in the refrigerator.

However, as soon it has been heated and mixed with the pasta, it is best to serve it immediately to avoid it sticking.

How Long Does Vegan Alfredo Fettuccine Last?

When the sauce has been made, it will last for around three days if stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Is Alfredo Sauce Healthy?

If you are talking about the traditional recipe loaded with heavy cream and butter, then no – it’s not particularly healthy.

As for our vegan recipe, yes, it is much healthier! This is because we use primarily whole food ingredients such as cashews and cauliflower as a base, along with almond milk instead of heavy cream.

To illustrate, almond milk contains 15 calories per 100g, compared to 340 calories per 100g of heavy cream. Almond milk also had 100% less saturated fat compared to heavy cream.

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag your photos with @healthiir on Instagram!