Vegan Cacio e Pepe
This vegan cacio e pepe style pasta is so satisfying and creamy, and you only need a few ingredients to make it! This rich and delicious pasta dish is made without any cheese or dairy for a satisfying plant-based pasta dish.
What is Cacio e Pepe?
Cacio e pepe is a traditional Italian pasta dish that originated in Rome. The name “cacio e pepe” translates to “cheese and pepper” in English. The dish is made with spaghetti or bucatini pasta, Pecorino Romano cheese, black pepper, and a little bit of pasta cooking water. This is not a traditional cacio e pepe recipe, since we’re not using any cheese, but I think this pasta has a similar rich, satisfying, and peppery flavor. If you’re looking for a more traditional recipe, try this one from America’s Test Kitchen or make this bucatini cacio e pepe with broccoli!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Pasta– This dish is traditionally made with spaghetti or bucatini pasta so I’d recommend using one of those! I like the Barilla Plus pasta, which has more protein and fiber than traditional pasta. Do not use gluten-free pasta for this recipe.
- Olive oil– Be sure to use a high quality olive oil for the best flavor.
- Miso paste– This adds a salty, umami flavor that helps replace the savory flavor that comes from cheese.
- Nutritional yeast– This adds a cheesy flavor without any actual cheese.
- Raw cashew butter– This helps create a creamy, smooth sauce. It’s important that you use smooth raw cashew butter. You do not want roasted cashew butter which has a stronger cashew flavor.
- Pepper– Because pepper is an essential part of this dish, I highly recommend freshly ground black peppercorns.
How to Make Vegan Cacio e Pepe
1 ¼ cups pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What’s the best pasta for cacio e pepe? This dish is traditionally made with spaghetti or bucatini pasta so I’d recommend using one of those!
- Can I make this with gluten-free pasta? I don’t recommend it, as the starchy pasta water is what helps give the sauce a smooth, creamy texture. Gluten-free pasta doesn’t release starch into the pasta water, so it doesn’t work well for this dish.
- What is miso paste? It is a traditional Japanese seasoning made from fermented soybeans. It has a salty, umami-rich flavor that adds depth and complexity to this dish.
- What is nutritional yeast? This special type of yeast is not the same yeast you use for baking. This yeast has a cheesy flavor that makes it a great vegan replacement for cheese!
Vegan Cacio e Pepe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 cups 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian Inspired
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This vegan cacio e pepe style pasta is so satisfying and creamy, and you only need a few ingredients to make it! This rich and delicious pasta dish is made without any cheese or dairy for a satisfying plant-based pasta dish.
Ingredients
- 12oz whole wheat spaghetti (or your favorite pasta)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons raw creamy cashew butter
- 1 tablespoon miso paste
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
- Reserve 1 ¼ cups pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
- In the empty pot, add the olive oil, nutritional yeast, cashew butter, miso paste, and 1 cup of pasta water. Whisk together until combined.
- Add the pasta and toss until coated. If needed, add the additional ¼ cup of pasta water.
- Top with black pepper and add additional salt and pepper to taste, if needed.
Keywords: vegan cacio e pepe
Oh yum! This pasta looks amazing and I love how you made it vegan. Sounds so good with the cashew butter.
★★★★★
I love pasta!! And although not a vegan, I do love the fact how creative vegans are. This is great recipe which I’ll be trying. It will also remove a whole load of frustration by not having to deal with cheese lumping up!!
★★★★★
So simple but this pasta dish has loads of flavour and is perfect comfort food too.
★★★★★
THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS SUPER DREAMY RECIPE! A KEEPER!
★★★★★