Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 2

Introduction:
Indulge in the rich and creamy goodness of this vegan Cheezy Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta. With the delightful combination of roasted butternut pumpkin, a velvety cashew-based sauce, and the cheesy kick of nutritional yeast, this dish is a true comfort food classic. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make and serves two hungry souls. Let’s dive into the recipe and create this delectable pasta dish.

Ingredients:

• Rigatoni pasta (enough for 2 people, follow package instructions)
• 200g butternut pumpkin, chopped
• 1 brown onion, chopped
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 cup of soaked raw cashews (soaked for at least an hour)
• 1/2 cup plant milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable broth/stock
• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the rigatoni pasta according to the instructions on the package. Once cooked, drain it and set it aside.
2. Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius (356 degrees Fahrenheit). Place the chopped butternut pumpkin on a baking tray and bake it for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the tray. Continue baking for another 15 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender and slightly caramelised.
3. Transfer the roasted vegetables and the remaining sauce ingredients, including the soaked cashews, plant milk, vegetable broth, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper, to a blender. Blend until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy, creating your delicious cheezy pumpkin alfredo sauce.
4. Pour the creamy sauce over the cooked rigatoni pasta. Mix well until the pasta is evenly coated with the luscious cheezy pumpkin sauce.

Notes:

• Elevate your dish by serving it with crunchy sage leaves, walnuts, or pumpkin seeds as toppings for added texture and flavour.

Tips:

• Soaking the cashews for at least an hour before blending will help achieve a smoother sauce.
• Adjust the consistency of the sauce by adding more plant milk or vegetable broth if needed.
• Season with additional salt and pepper to suit your taste preferences.