Lemon Zucchini Pasta Sauce: Vegan, Gluten Free, and Soy Free

A light yet creamy pasta sauce recipe with a burst of citrus. Simple, easy, and a delicious balance of flavors.

We were inspired to make this recipe after our friend told us how much she likes the LivWell pasta sauces. They contain simple plant-based ingredients, so we obviously had to go buy some to try. The bottle of sauce is a bit pricey (around $10), but it's nice to see such simple ingredients being used to create tasty sauces. This lemon zucchini sauce is our take on the LivWell Sicilian zucchini and lemon sauce. And not to toot our own horn, but we believe this recipe is better than their bottled sauce. Seriously, try it.

Image: Pasta on plate

You will fall in love with the packed flavors of this simple recipe. It’s light, yet satisfying, making it perfect for both a casual weeknight dinner or a fancy gathering with friends.

Ingredients:

  • Zucchini
  • Cashews
  • Lemon
  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Basil
  • Olive Oil

How to Make Lemon Zucchini Pasta Sauce?

This recipe comes together fairly quickly, with little active cooking involved. Simple soak the cashews, roughly chop the zucchini and onion, roast the veggies, blend, and serve.

Note: The sauce will be thick. Use the pasta water to thin it out if serving immediately, or freeze and add 1 cup of water when ready to use.

Our Favorite Blender to Use:

KitchenAid 5-Speed Hand Blender  It's compact and has multiple uses! We love that!

Perfect for Meal Prepping!

Freeze the blended sauce in an airtight container. When you're ready to use it, just place in a pot with one cup of water and set it to medium heat, stirring occasionally. This is enough sauce for one pound of pasta.

Serve With

Lemon Zucchini Pasta Sauce

A light yet creamy pasta recipe with a burst of citrus.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Main Course
Keyword: Refreshing Pasta

Ingredients

  • 2 medium zucchinis
  • 2 lemons
  • 1 cup cashews
  • 1 bunch basil
  • 1 medium onion
  • 1 whole garlic bulb
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 pound pasta of choice
  • 1 cup pasta water
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat oven at 400 °F
  • Soak Cashews in Boiling water while prepping the rest of the ingredients.
    Image: Cashews soaking in hot water.
  • Roughly chop zucchini and onion, and cut the top off the garlic bulb.
  • Toss the zucchini, onion, and garlic with olive oil and place on a sheet pan in the oven.
  • Bake for about 30 minutes or until veggies are cooked and slightly roasted. Make sure to toss midway through.
    Overhead Image: Roasted zucchini, onion, and garlic bulb
  • Drain water from the cashews.
    Image: cashews that have been soaked in water
  • Add all ingredients together and blend.
    Image: Immersion blender in the ingredients, ready to blend.
  • Cook pasta of your choice according to the package directions.
  • Use the pasta water to thin out the sauce. It will need approximately 1 cup of water.
    Image: Heating up frozen sauce with water on stove top.
  • Mix pasta and sauce together. Serve and enjoy!
    Overhead Image: Pasta in a pot with green sauce

Notes

If you are meal prepping, freeze the pasta sauce without water added to it. Once you are ready to heat up the frozen sauce, add one cup of water to the pot and heat on medium, stirring occasionally. This is enough sauce for one pound of pasta.
besitos, J & R
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