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The Best Vegan Garlic Alfredo Sauce

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Learn how to make absolutely #1 The Best Vegan Garlic Alfredo Sauce as rated by readers! So easy, dairy-free, oil-free, just 6 ingredients (+salt & pepper) and so incredibly creamy and full of flavor! 

Large plate of vegan garlic alfredo sauce and pasta

*This post contains affiliate links. See my full disclosure policy here.

VEGAN GARLIC ALFREDO SAUCE

One of most people’s indulgent comfort foods is alfredo sauce. I admit, I used to love it too, but I didn’t love how after just a few bites, I felt sick. There is such a thing as foods being too rich. Feeling nauseated and in a nasty food coma for hours after eating something isn’t really worth it to me. Enter the best Vegan Garlic Alfredo Sauce  you’ll ever have.

red bowl with vegan garlic alfredo sauce and pasta on wooden table

HOW DO YOU MAKE VEGAN ALFREDO SAUCE?

Easy, you just need 6 simple ingredients:

  • raw cashews
  • onion
  • garlic
  • lemon juice
  • nutritional yeast
  • low sodium vegetable broth

First, you will cook your onions low and slow until really tender.

Add the garlic and cook until soft. Add the onion and garlic to a blender with the remaining ingredients. Blend until completely smooth.

Serve over pasta and enjoy the decadent, but healthy, vegan alfredo sauce!

No need to try any further anymore. This one is dairy-free and oil-free. Most vegan versions contain vegan butter or oil, not healthy. This one is made from cashews which make it exceptionally creamy. I wanted a whole food version and oil-free.

Bowl of creamy vegan garlic alfredo sauce dripping off spoon

WHY VEGAN ALFREDO IS BETTER THAN TRADITIONAL

Traditional garlic alfredo sauce has butter, milk, cream, parmesan cheese (or other cheeses) and garlic in it. Major dairy overload! Bloated, icky feeling. It also does not have onion in it. However, I wanted to give my alfredo sauce that slightly, sweet richness typically reached by cream and butter, so I added cooked onions, lots of them.

Here’s a little side by side nutrition for my alfredo sauce in comparison to Olive Garden’s version:

Mine per 1/2 cup serving which is a hefty serving:

125.2 calories, 7 g fat, 5.6 g protein, 11.3 carbs

and Olive Garden’s: (they use heavy cream, milk, lots of cheese and 6 egg yolks, see here)

460 calories, 43 g fat!!, 9 carbs, 8 grams  protein

Wow, what a difference! Hey, so it has a hair less carbs, but who cares when all of my ingredients are quality ingredients and not heavy on the heart. Nothing wrong with indulging occasionally, but you could eat my alfredo sauce weekly with much less guilt.

DOES IT REALLY TASTE LIKE ALFREDO?

I know what you are thinking….does it really taste like garlic alfredo sauce?? Well, my hubby said, “spot on” and then “it really tastes exactly like garlic alfredo sauce”. I was shocked. I’ll let you be the judge. I’d say it is pretty darn close, especially considering it doesn’t have any of the typical ingredients!

Regardless, it is delicious and very creamy and you can eat this alfredo sauce without tons of guilt.

Closeup view of vegan alfredo sauce and pasta on white plate

Other Vegan Alfredo Recipes to try:

  • 20 Minute Vegan Alfredo
  • Nut-Free Garlic Alfredo
  • Vegan Cream Cheese Alfredo
  •  Garlic Alfredo Pizza 

Sadly, this recipe is my MOST popular weekly and is continuing to be stolen and copied and posted by other sites/blogs without ANY credit. It is very upsetting, so please know that I worked hard to create this recipe years back and it is my original creation. If you like this recipe, please give credit where credit is due.

the Best Vegan Garlic Alfredo Sauce

Brandi Doming
The absolute BEST Vegan Garlic Alfredo Sauce that tastes like the guilty version. Lots of onion is the secret to this easy, low ingredient and rich dairy-free and oil-free alfredo sauce. You will be shocked there is not an ounce of dairy in it!
4.99 from 395 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 2 cups sauce

Ingredients

  • 1 medium white onion, diced (200g) (MAKE SURE to measure out 1 1/2 cups b/c this is where lots of flavor comes)
  • 1-2 cups (240-480g) low sodium vegetable broth, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4-1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 4 x-large (15g) minced garlic cloves
  • 1/2 heaping cup (75g) raw unsalted cashews (see NOTE)
  • 1/2-1 tablespoon lemon juice (start with just 1/2 and taste after blended!)
  • 2-4 tablespoons nutritional yeast (I highly recommend this Sari brand, it is non-fortified with much better taste.)

NOTE

  • It is not recommended to sub or eliminate any of these ingredients, as I cannot vouch for the results if any are changed. The lemon juice is crucial, as it eliminates any cashew flavor.

NOTE

  • If you are using raw cashews and you don't have a high-powered blender, then you must soak them overnight in a bowl of water, drain and rinse. Otherwise, your result will be gritty and NOT creamy. A food processor usually works better with soaked cashews versus a blender that isn't very powerful.

Instructions
 

  • Add the onion and ONLY 1 cup of the broth to a large pan over medium to medium-high heat. Cook for about 8 minutes until the onion is very tender. (Add a tiny bit more broth if it is cooking too fast or turn the heat down, so the onions don't burn) After 8 minutes, add the garlic and cook a couple of minutes more, stirring often. All of the broth should have evaporated by now. If not, keep letting it cook until the broth is GONE. You don't want any more liquid once it's done cooking, so the end result is thick and creamy.
  • Add the cooked veggies (the onion and garlic) to a blender. Start out by adding JUST 1/2 cup more of the remaining broth and add the remaining ingredients (salt, pepper, cashews, starting with JUST 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice, nutritional yeast-starting with just 2 tablespoons yeast). Blend on high for a couple of minutes until very creamy and smooth. Add any more broth to reach desired consistency, if necessary. I did not. If you don't add more broth, you would likely not need any more yeast. Taste and add any more salt & pepper or lemon, if desired.
  • Serve over preferred pasta. Note: When preparing your pasta, make sure to salt your water well, so your pasta has flavor and isn't bland, which can affect the end flavor result of the dish. I add around a tablespoon to a large pot of boiling water. Garnish with parsley, lemon zest and salt & pepper, if desired. Add any veggies you like. I like to add broccoli or even peas. Store leftovers in the fridge. The sauce will thicken up even more overnight, which you can thin out a little with a touch of broth when reheating, if necessary.
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Keyword best vegan alfredo, garlic alfredo, vegan alfredo

Filed Under: Gluten Free, Grains/Pasta, Main Dishes Tagged With: Alfredo sauce, Best, Cashew cream sauce, Cashews, Dairy free, garlic, Gluten free meals, healthy, Low fat, Oil free, vegan

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bria

    December 13, 2020 at 11:14 pm

    5 stars
    AMAZING! Best Alfredo I have EVER had! This recipe is so easy and if you are looking for comfort food, this is the one!! I added 2 types of mushrooms as well. Highly recommend!!

    Reply
  2. Carla

    December 15, 2020 at 5:28 pm

    5 stars
    Simple and delicious!! A classic made vegan! My non-vegan family members also loved it!

    Reply
  3. Claire

    December 18, 2020 at 1:09 am

    Thank you for this recipe, Brandi! I’m really looking forward to trying this, when I get all the ingredients together. I love alfredo sauce and even have all the makings, but I am trying to lose weight and cut back on animal fats, for health reasons (heart health and blood pressure, mainly). I really appreciate that this uses only 1/2 cup of cashews, because those can be expensive, in terms of cash and calories. Thanks, again!

    Reply
  4. Carolyn

    December 19, 2020 at 3:09 am

    5 stars
    Made this as I have cut out a lot of dairy from my diet and my goodness was it delicious!! Never expected it to taste that good! I topped it with some thinly sliced carmelized onions and it was perfect!

    Reply
    • brandi.doming@yahoo.com

      December 19, 2020 at 8:31 am

      So happy to hear that Carolyn!!

      Reply
  5. logan

    December 20, 2020 at 1:53 am

    5 stars
    Really great recipe! I needed more liquid than expected but overall stellar taste. I think I’ll cook the onions in oil next time because I loved a good sauteed onion. Easy, quick, and YUM.

    Reply
  6. Alicia

    December 20, 2020 at 10:42 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe is so fast and flavorful. I only wish I doubled the recipe more often! The onions really make this sauce- and I would never have considered adding them myself. I make this almost weekly and serve with fettuccini, broccoli and mushrooms. Delicious when its first made and the as leftovers (which never last more than a day at my house).

    Reply
  7. Monica

    December 21, 2020 at 8:26 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe is simply amazing. Admittedly I was in a hurry and just sautéed the onion and garlic (didn’t really measure), dumped the ingredients all into my Nutribullet and it was AMAZING. EVERYONE in my family loved it. The kids too. We are trying to eat plant based as a whole, but the kids are still “transitioning”. I will make many more of your recipes. You are the best! Thank you so much!

    Reply
  8. Lynn

    December 22, 2020 at 3:27 am

    Love it and recommend it all the time! DD and I were arguing over nutritional yeast amounts (I thought she wasn’t reading recipe correctly) as the version I have saved has 1/4C + 1 Tbsp and the version currently here shows 2-4 tablespoons. Why the change?

    Reply
    • brandi.doming@yahoo.com

      December 22, 2020 at 8:00 am

      Yes, I changed it probably 1-2 years ago. I felt after making it again that it didn’t need that much nutritional yeast and changed it. People’s taste preference varies so much with nutritional yeast. Also, some brands taste very different from each other, so a variance is best!

      Reply
  9. Nic Whe

    December 22, 2020 at 10:37 pm

    Hi. This looks delicous. I am following the Plant Paraodox diet which disallows cashews, sunflower, chia and pumpkin seeds. Is there any other nut(s) that would work with this? I would love to try it. Thanks, Nicole

    Reply
    • brandi.doming@yahoo.com

      December 22, 2020 at 11:06 pm

      I would make this one instead. https://thevegan8.com/nut-free-vegan-garlic-alfredo-sauce/

      Reply
  10. Nayeli

    December 23, 2020 at 3:04 am

    5 stars
    Thank you SO much for this recipe! It is absolutely fantastic! Found it just a couple of weeks ago and have already made it 5 times. My picky af teenage daughter requests it. Thanks again!

    Reply
  11. Jacqueline Yates

    December 30, 2020 at 7:21 am

    5 stars
    I am in AWE!!!! I have tried too many different recipes for vegan alfredo sauce, and this one takes the cake. You have the proportions down a tee. AND! You have my heart as an incredible credible chef that knows her craft. Thank you so much for sharing. My search is finally over <3

    Reply
    • brandi.doming@yahoo.com

      January 7, 2021 at 9:31 pm

      Aww yay! So glad, thank you!

      Reply
  12. Lee

    January 2, 2021 at 12:24 pm

    5 stars
    So easy to make!
    And I have all these ingredients in my house
    Absolutely incredible!
    A nice little touch I add is some coriander to finish it and it gives off a Herby little finish

    Reply
    • brandi.doming@yahoo.com

      January 4, 2021 at 12:10 am

      Yay, so happy you loved it!

      Reply
  13. April

    January 3, 2021 at 10:46 pm

    Loooks so delicious! I must try this! Xoxoooxox

    Reply
  14. Nani Jo

    January 4, 2021 at 11:33 pm

    5 stars
    Hi there,

    My name is Nani Jo and I live in New Zealand. I love your recipes…

    In this recipe where it says (MAKE SURE to measure out 1 1/2 cups b/c this is where lots of flavor comes). What does b/c mean please??

    regards

    Nani Jo

    Reply
    • brandi.doming@yahoo.com

      January 7, 2021 at 5:25 am

      Hi! That means because 😊

      Reply
  15. Crystal

    January 6, 2021 at 1:40 am

    You said not to substitute any of the ingredients but I hate the taste of nutritional yeast. I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer back in August and I have changed my diet and am going the natural route. Will I notice the flavor of the yeast in the sauce?
    I love that you worked hard to come up with this recipe and then shared it. I would love to give it a go over zucchini noodles.

    Reply
    • brandi.doming@yahoo.com

      January 6, 2021 at 7:24 am

      Hi Crystal, sorry to hear that. I wish you the best recovery! You can totally leave out the yeast. I actually rarely use it anymore since my hubby can’t have it. It does add more flavor, but the sauce is really good without it, you may just need another pinch of salt since nutritional yeast is salty.

      Reply
  16. jackie

    January 8, 2021 at 12:26 am

    5 stars
    Made this to non vegan family members and they couldn’t believe there was no cream in it. The taste was so good and nothing left. The next time I made it I doubled the recipe so that I could have some for work next day. Have given your web site to many people. Thanks

    Reply
    • brandi.doming@yahoo.com

      January 8, 2021 at 9:38 pm

      That is so wonderful to hear, thank you Jackie for the review!

      Reply
  17. Karen

    January 8, 2021 at 10:45 pm

    5 stars
    Wow!!! So happy I found this recipe! I’ve been dairy-free and gluten-free for only 6 months now and was craving Alfredo! This is soooo good! And easy! Just Wow!

    Reply
  18. Barbara Michel

    January 10, 2021 at 6:48 am

    5 stars
    This was easy and delicious! I made it with spaghettini, roasted brussel sprouts and sauteed mushrooms with a bit of finely chopped parsley on top. So yummy!! Thanks 😊

    Reply
  19. Dylan

    January 10, 2021 at 7:50 pm

    So, I doubled the recipe, being careful to get all the measurements correct, and what came out was not smooth and creamy. Isn’t it the cashews that give this dish creaminess? If so, I’ll know to increase the amount of cashews.

    Reply
    • brandi.doming@yahoo.com

      January 10, 2021 at 9:21 pm

      Hi Dylan, if it’s not creamy, then it sounds like you added too much broth. Start out with much less broth next time and only add a bit at a time. Did you idea Vitamix to blend the cashews?

      Reply
      • Dylan

        January 11, 2021 at 7:31 pm

        No, I added all the ingredients in the food processor after I blended the onion and garlic concoction. I’ve got about a cup of cashews soaking in hot water right now. I plan on blending them till they’re creamy, then slowly adding the previous mix to see how it turns out.

        Reply
        • brandi.doming@yahoo.com

          January 12, 2021 at 2:19 am

          A food processor won’t get it as smooth so just blend it longer, that’ll help too!

          Reply
          • Dylan

            January 12, 2021 at 6:57 pm

            Thanks Brandi. I kept trying that, even with a fresh cup of soaked nuts, then adding the other, but it just didn’t turn out creamy and smooth like the pic above.

            Reply
  20. Donna

    January 11, 2021 at 12:02 am

    I followed your recipe exactly and weighed the grams to get it right. It was delish. This is a keeper. I would like to know if you have ever used raw sunflower seeds in place of cashews? If so, do you use the same weight, and how is the flavor difference ?

    Reply
    • brandi.doming@yahoo.com

      January 13, 2021 at 12:35 am

      So glad you enjoyed it Donna! No, I haven’t with this exact recipe, but have with others. Sunflower seeds are much more bitter and less creamy, so it will not taste the same or be the same creamy texture. It will work technically, but just be prepared of the flavor change a bit. You’d use the same weight, although sunflower seeds do make the sauce thicker, so you may need to add a touch more broth/seasonings.

      Reply
  21. Laura

    January 12, 2021 at 2:01 am

    5 stars
    Wow! This is delicious!! Thank you!

    Reply
    • brandi.doming@yahoo.com

      January 13, 2021 at 12:35 am

      You’re so welcome, glad you loved it!

      Reply
  22. Stacie

    January 13, 2021 at 5:56 pm

    5 stars
    I made this for my daughter while she was staying with me recovering from back surgery. She has many issues with dairy and had stated that she missed alfredo sauce the most. She LOVED it. She does not have a food processor or blender and wanted me to make a big batch for her to take home. Have you ever canned or froze the sauce?

    Reply
    • brandi.doming@yahoo.com

      January 13, 2021 at 9:27 pm

      That is great! Yes, you can freeze it! Thaw and reblend if needed to make smooth again.

      Reply
  23. Whitney

    January 14, 2021 at 2:41 am

    5 stars
    I just tried this and it’s so tasty!! I put it over spaghetti squash and had roasted carrots and baby potatoes on the side. Sooo so yummy thank you for the recipe!

    Reply
  24. Jen Van

    January 16, 2021 at 1:40 am

    5 stars
    This is the first truly vegan recipe I’ve tried. I am not vegan but really want to have a more plant-based diet. This recipe is amazing! My hubby and I loved it. I mixed in some broccoli for variation. It’s definitely a keeper. Added just a dash of nutmeg, too. I can see myself making this often and using it for lots of different things. Great job!

    Reply
  25. kathleen

    January 19, 2021 at 7:54 pm

    5 stars
    okay SO i didn’t have the lemon which i know was stated as super important, BUT, even without it, this recipe is AMAZING. i think next time i’ll make it a little bit thinner by adding more broth, as suggested, just for like texture reasons, but the flavor is incredible. i added steamed broccoli and my toddler ate it all up. seriously delicious and highly recommend.

    Reply
    • brandi.doming@yahoo.com

      January 19, 2021 at 8:13 pm

      Awesome! Yes, that’s exactly why I add a range of broth so you can start with 1/2 cup and add as desired to reach what you like best!

      Reply
  26. Sophie

    January 21, 2021 at 5:19 am

    5 stars
    Just made this sauce and its fantastic. I also love how it doesn’t need too many cashews, keeping it cheap! Thanks (:

    Reply
  27. Ss

    January 21, 2021 at 12:28 pm

    I didn’t use any broth cuz I didn’t have any, but it was absolutely delicious regardless. I could barely stop myself from eating. I also used my ninja blender for sauce for the first time and it was so incredibly smooth and creamy. I love it!!

    Reply
  28. Elaine Pirozzi

    January 21, 2021 at 4:27 pm

    5 stars
    This really is the best! I use this recipe so often, and in all different ways. Thank you for it!

    Reply
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I'm Brandi, creator of this vegan blog and cookbook author of The Vegan 8 Cookbook. The majority of my recipes focus on 8 ingredients or less, not counting salt, pepper or water. I'm an expert on oil-free cooking and baking! We went vegan to help control my husband's debilitating gout. Our lives and health improved dramatically. While my husband still has some challenges, his health is much better than when we were eating animal products! I create delicious vegan comfort food in a healthier way. read more →

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