Vegan Cacio e Pepe (Nut Free)

Vegan Cacio e Pepe ✨🌱

Yet another veganized Italian classic to start the week off right ☺️

This vegan Cacio e Pepe has to be one of my favorites so far… with a rich and creamy sunflower based sauce, fat bucatini noodles and crunchy chickpeas to top it all off.

The key here is saving your starchy pasta water to give the sauce an amazing flavor and texture.

Vegan Cacio e Pepe (Nut Free)

Vegan Cacio e Pepe with a rich and creamy sunflower sauce, lots of black pepper and crunchy chickpeas. Easy to make, nut free and so delicious!

Course Dinner

Cuisine Italian-Inspired

Keyword Creamy, Pasta, Plant-Based, Spaghetti, Vegan

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Total Time 35

Servings

Calories 665kcal

Author Elaine

Ingredients

16 oz spaghetti bucatini or other long cut pasta
1/2 cup raw hulled sunflower seeds
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
3 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 tbsp miso paste
1-2 tbsp freshly ground black pepper
Lemon juice for serving

For the Crispy Chickpeas

1 15 oz chickpeas drained and rinsed
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lemon zest
1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

Add the sunflower seeds to a bowl with a couple inches of boiling water. Soak for at least 1 hour and up to overnight. Alternatively, you can boil the seeds for 15-20 minutes or until softened.
Cook the pasta al dente in generously salted water according to package instructions. Drain and reserve 3 cups of pasta water. Toss the pasta with olive oil to prevent clumping and set aside.
In the container of a high speed blender, add drained sunflower seeds, nutritional yeast, olive oil, miso and 2 cups pasta water. Blend until very smooth and creamy, about 1-2 minutes.
Pour the sauce in a large pot over medium low heat. When simmering, add the pasta and cook until heated through, adding more pasta water as needed. Remove from the heat and stir in the freshly ground black pepper and lemon juice. Top with crispy chickpeas and serve warm.

For the crispy chickpeas

Spread the drained and rinsed chickpeas on to several sheets of paper towel or a clean kitchen cloth and gently pat dry.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When shimmering, add the chickpeas and cook for 10-15 minutes, tossing occasionally, until golden brown and crispy. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon zest and salt. Serve immediantly.