Pasta is a superhero for busy weeknights, but don’t settle for dumping a jar of sauce over store-bought noodles! It doesn’t take all that much longer to make a fabulous pasta dinner from scratch, and this marry me pasta is the perfect example. This recipe will steal your heart with a divine vegan cream sauce infused with tomatoes (diced AND sun-dried!) in every bite. It’s also cheesy, garlicky, herb-filled, and ready with just 20 minutes of cooking. Does it get any better than that?!
Why You’ll Love This Marry Me Pasta Recipe
He’ll put a ring on it. Just kidding. But the creamy tomato sauce, tender pasta, and combination of Italian-inspired herbs definitely makes this dish a guaranteed hit. Easy to customise. Add veggies or your protein of choice to put your own spin on this marry me pasta recipe. Quick weeknight dinner. With minimal prep and cooking time, this is an ideal weeknight dinner recipe for busy families.
Notes on Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.
For the Cashew Sauce:
Raw cashews – Soak them in hot water for at least 30 minutes for a creamy vegan pasta sauce. Plant-based milk – Any kind you like, as long as it’s unsweetened and unflavoured. Nutritional yeast – For cheesy flavour without the cheese. Seasonings – Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
For the Pasta:
Pasta – I recommend fettuccine, penne, or spaghetti. Olive oil Onion – Chopped fine so it incorporates evenly into the dish. Garlic Diced tomatoes Sun-dried tomatoes – You can use any variety of sun-dried tomatoes you like (dry or soaked in oil). If you use the dry variety, and they seem tough, soak them in warm water for a few minutes. Keep in mind that leftover sun-dried tomatoes can be used to make Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta the following week! Seasonings – Dried oregano, thyme, and basil, along with salt and pepper to taste. Fresh basil – For garnish. Vegan Parmesan cheese – Use grated store-bought or homemade vegan Parmesan cheese.
How to Make Marry Me Pasta
Prepare the cashew sauce. Add all of the sauce ingredients to a blender and puree until smooth. Cook the pasta. Boil it in salted water until it reaches al dente. Reserve a cup of the cooking water. Sauté the aromatics. Cook the onion with the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; once softened, stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant.
Simmer. Stir in the two types of tomatoes and seasonings. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Finish. Stir the cashew sauce into the skillet, then add the pasta and toss to coat. Season to taste and serve with fresh basil and vegan Parmesan.
Tips for Success
Don’t forget to soak the cashews. This step is essential for creating a creamy sauce! Soaking the cashews softens them so that can be blended until completely smooth. Save some pasta water. The starchy water helps to thicken the sauce and bind it to the pasta, giving you a silky texture. Tap water just won’t cut it—it has to be the cooking water! Add the pasta water to reach your desired consistency. Don’t dump in the whole cup of water. Instead, add a splash, stir, add another splash, etc., until the sauce coats the pasta evenly without being watery.
Variations
Stir in some spinach. A few handfuls of spinach added to the skillet will give your marry me pasta an extra boost of nutrients and colour. Spice it up. For a spicier version, add some crushed red pepper flakes with the onions as you sauté them. Adding them earlier in the cooking process, as opposed to garnishing with them, infuses the whole dish with flavour. Add in some protein. Your favourite vegan Italian sausage, vegan chicken, roasted chickpeas, white beans, or even marinated tofu would work well.
What to Serve With This Recipe
When serving pasta, you can’t go wrong by pairing it with some roasted garlic bread or a slice of crusty olive bread. And don’t forget a veggie side dish like salad or roasted veggies! I especially love this marry me pasta with a simple green salad and light vinaigrette or my balsamic roasted vegetables.
How to Store Leftovers
Transfer leftover marry me pasta to an airtight container and refrigerate for 3 to 4 days. Warm it up in the microwave or in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of plant-based milk or broth to revive its creamy texture.
Can I Freeze This Recipe?
I don’t recommend freezing marry me pasta, as the cashew sauce won’t be as creamy after freezing, thawing, and reheating. This is a dish best enjoyed fresh!
More Vegan Pasta Recipes
Vegan Pasta Carbonara Vegan Spaghetti and Meatballs Rasta Pasta Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta Vegan Cajun Chicken Pasta
Enjoy friends! If you make this marry me pasta recipe, please snap a photo and tag #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram! We’d also love it if you would leave a comment below, and give the recipe a rating! Thanks so much!
