This Creamy Vegan Roasted Red Pepper Pasta is MAGIC! After I whipped up the sauce, I had my husband taste it and he straight up asked: “how much heavy cream did you put in this?” The answer, of course, is none! The creaminess in this pasta comes from two ingredients: light coconut milk and cannellini beans. It might seem weird to purée beans into a pasta sauce, but it seriously works. The beans help to thicken up the sauce and make it super silky and rich.

After roasting the red onions and garlic, you simply put all the ingredients in a food processor and pulse until smooth! Then, heat the sauce up on the stove, cook the pasta according to package directions, pour the pasta into the bowl with the sauce, toss well to combine and serve. I promise — you’re in for a treat.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 T. harissa paste

• 6 T. nutritional yeast flakes

• 1 - 14.5 oz. can light coconut milk

• 1 - 14.5 oz. can cannellini beans, drained

• 1 T. smoked paprika

• 1 T. oregano

• 2 t. red pepper flakes

• 1 t. Italian seasoning

• 1 t. onion powder

• 1 red onion

• 6 garlic cloves

• 12 pieces of roasted red peppers (from a jar)

• 2 T. tomato paste

• 2 t. rosemary

• Salt & pepper, to taste

• Pasta of choice (we used Ancient Harvest Supergrain Pasta Elbows)

STEPS

1) Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice the red onion into 6-8 chunks and place them, skin side down, onto the parchment paper. Add the whole garlic cloves onto the sheet with the onions. Roast the veggies for 25-30 minutes or until the onion starts to blacken. Remove the skins from the onion and the garlic.

2) Add the onion and garlic, along with all other ingredients (except the pasta), to a large food processor. Blend until smooth and adjust seasonings as needed.

3) Pour the sauce into a large pot or Dutch oven. Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until warm.

4) While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain the pasta, then pour it in the pot with the sauce.

5) Stir well to combine. Ladle into a bowl and serve!