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Cheezy Walnut Pasta

June 23, 2020 Plant-Based Juniors 8 Comments

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Cheezy walnut pasta. Here’s a family-friendly vegan recipe packed with healthy fats and fiber.

Cheezy Walnut Pasta

Warm, cheesy pasta? Yes please! New recipe for you below, using walnuts for flavor and nutrition.

Why do we love walnuts so much? Not only are they delicious, they’re also the only nut that contains omega-3 fatty acids.

Omega-3 fats are critical for supporting heart health, with the ability to help lower high blood pressure. LDL “bad” cholesterol, and triglycerides, and prevent plaque buildup in the arteries.

They can be be protective against anxiety and depression, reduce inflammation, promote good sleep patterns, and support skin health.

For babies and young kids specifically, omega-3 fats play a crucial role in brain and eye development. Some studies have even found them to be beneficial for reducing ADHD symptoms among children.

Nutritionally, we think you’ll be as excited about this recipe as we are.

Per serving, this pasta contains 6.5 grams of plant-based protein, 3 grams of fiber and 2.5 grams of beneficial omega-3 ALA fatty acids per serving.

Here’s how to make it.

First, you’re going to soak the walnuts for about 1 hour to get them nice and soft, so they blend well into the sauce. Drain.

Place the soaked and drained walnuts, broth, nutritional yeast, carrots, pepper and spices into a blender.

Then, purée these ingredients until they’re very creamy and smooth.

Give your cheeze sauce a taste and add more salt and/or seasonings as desired.

Scoop out your sauce and toss with 8 ounces of cooked hot pasta. Enjoy!

Find the full recipe below.

Cheezy Walnut Pasta

A simple and healthy recipe using walnuts to make a vegan cheese sauce for pasta.
Print Recipe
Servings:3

Equipment

  • Blender or food processor

Ingredients

  • 1 cup soaked walnuts
  • 1 cup vegetable broth
  • 1/4 cup cooked carrots
  • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
  • 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 cup chopped yellow bell pepper
  • 8 oz cooked pasta of choice

Instructions

  • Place the soaked and drained walnuts, broth, nutritional yeast, carrots, bell pepper and spices into a blender.
  • Purée until very creamy and smooth. Taste, adding more salt/seasonings as desired.
  • Toss with 8 ounces cooked hot pasta.

Look no further for a healthy vegan cheese sauce recipe with this cheezy walnut pasta. We think you’ll find it to be a family-friendly vegan recipe packed with nutrients for your babe.

 

Chime In: Have you given this recipe a try? Let us know what you think!

If you liked this post, check out some of our others:

  • Blueberry Walnut Muffin Tops
  • Pear Grilled Cheeze Sandwiches
  • How to Help Your Child Eat More Vegetables
  • Adding Greens to Your Baby’s Diet

Comments

  1. Josie says

    June 26, 2020 at 5:08 pm

    Just made this and it’s delicious! I have left over sauce -do you think I could freeze it? Thanks!

    Reply
    • alexwhitney says

      September 16, 2020 at 9:39 pm

      I don’t see why not– I usually freeze sauces like this and it turns out OK.

      Reply
  2. Blair says

    June 27, 2020 at 12:15 am

    Hi there,
    Great recipe. Just wondering what age this is suitable from?
    X

    Reply
  3. Raina says

    June 27, 2020 at 6:03 pm

    5 stars
    My baby is a bit picky, and he LOVED this recipe!! Thank you!

    Reply
    • alexwhitney says

      September 16, 2020 at 9:39 pm

      Love that!

      Reply
  4. Carley says

    July 2, 2020 at 5:30 pm

    5 stars
    I liked this one a lot! However, I think the smokey flavor from the smoked paprika was a little too strong for my 18-month-old. Next time, I am going to try using regular vs. smoked. It was very easy to make and something the whole family can enjoy!

    Reply
  5. Marilyn says

    January 14, 2023 at 4:48 am

    Silly question, but how do you cook the carrots? Boil them? Love your recipes!

    Reply
    • alexwhitney says

      January 17, 2023 at 4:26 pm

      Hi Marilyn! I usually steam carrots and then toss with a little vegan butter/salt and pepper but I also love roasted carrots!

      Reply

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    • About
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