Casarecce Pasta with Creamy Tomato Sauce

Casarecce pasta in wide bowl served with basil.

5 from 14 votes

Casarecce Pasta with Creamy Tomato Sauce

Casarecce Pasta with Creamy Tomato Sauce is a simple, quick, family-friendly meal that can be easily customized! Twisted pasta is paired with a homemade creamy tomato sauce and topped with fresh basil.

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian

Servings: servings

Calories: 353kcal

Author: Alison Corey

Ingredients

Pasta

16 ounce casarecce pasta
1 tablespoon salt

Creamy Tomato Sauce

2 tablespoon olive oil
1 yellow onion diced
4 cloves garlic minced
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup tomato paste
15 ounce can of diced tomatoes
1 ½ cup pasta water
½ cup cashew yogurt unsweetened

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente, about 2-3 minutes less than the package directions.
Add olive oil and diced onions to a sauté pan over medium heat while the pasta cooks. Cook until translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
Add the tomato paste, salt, and red pepper flakes. Whisk together and cook until the tomato paste darkens, about 2 minutes. Add the diced tomatoes and ½ a cup of pasta water to the pan. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook until it thickens, about 10 minutes.
Remove the sauce from the heat, and whisk in the cashew yogurt.
Drain the pasta, reserving an additional cup of pasta water. Add the cooked pasta and pasta water to the sauce. Toss until combined.
Top with fresh chopped basil and vegan parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

Video

Notes

Top Tips for Making Casarecce Pasta

- Make the sauce the night before, or prepare it on the weekend when you meal prep. Preparing it in advance gives the sauce time to develop the flavors.

- Change the sauce consistency by adding more or less pasta water. For a creamier texture, stick with the measurements given. For a thinner sauce, add a bit more pasta water.

- Salt the pasta water. This is an important step that should not be left out. Salt the water before adding the pasta. This is what infused the pasta with flavor. Don't be shy with the salt!

- Make your cashew cream if you don't have cashew yogurt. It's super simple and only requires cashews, water, and salt.

How to Make Cashew Cream

Soak 1 cup of raw cashews in boiling water for 10-15 minutes covered.
Drain the cashews from the water. Add the soaked cashews, ½ cup fresh water, and ¾ teaspoon salt to a high-speed blender.
Blend until smooth and creamy. Set aside until ready to add to the sauce.

How to Store, Keep, and Reheat

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat the pasta by adding the desired amount to a small pot, and heating over medium, adding a bit of extra water as needed to thin out the sauce. Or warm in the microwave until the desired temperature is reached. Store leftovers for up to 4 days. Freeze the sauce for up to 2 months.

Nutrition