Easy Roasted Red Pepper Sauce Recipe – Creamy & Vegan

This roasted red pepper sauce is a creamy and vegan cheesy sauce that’s simple to make. Using wholesome ingredients with balanced flavors, you’ll want to put it on everything!

This vegan roasted red pepper sauce is so easy to make yet so bold and creamy! Softened cauliflower and raw cashews form the silky base. Roasted red peppers, nutritional yeast, and shiro miso add umami and complexity. Vegan sour cream and apple cider vinegar add creaminess and tang. The end result? This mind-blowingly delicious vegan cheese sauce is perfect for pasta, although you’ll want to put on everything!

For more plant-based sauce recipes, check out our Vegan Alfredo Sauce, Pasta with White Wine Sauce, and Creamy Tomato Sauce for Pasta!

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

• Effortlessly Simple: This recipe requires minimal ingredients and steps, making it accessible for cooks of all skill levels. It involves a blend, simmer, and serve process that promises fantastic results without the fuss.
• Rich and Bold Flavors: Expect a sauce that delivers a punch of flavor, with roasted red peppers and shiro miso at the forefront, balanced by the subtle tang of apple cider vinegar and the creaminess of vegan sour cream.
• Versatile and Dietary-Friendly: Whether you’re vegan, exploring plant-based eating, or just looking for a delicious sauce, this creamy red pepper sauce recipe fits beautifully. It pairs well with pasta, vegetables, or grains, making it a versatile addition to any meal.

This vegan cheese sauce brings a rich, flavorful addition to your meal planning, easily integrating into various dishes. High-quality, simple ingredients are combined in a way that creates a perfectly balanced sauce.

Key Ingredients For This Vegan Cheese Sauce

Raw Cashews	These add a creamy texture and nutty flavor, serving as the base for the sauce’s richness. For a nut-free version, swap out cashews for sunflower seeds to maintain creaminess without the nuts.
Cauliflower	Provides a velvety consistency and subtle taste, enhancing the sauce’s body without overpowering other flavors.
Onion	Offers a foundational aromatic sweetness that deepens the overall flavor profile of the sauce.
Garlic	Infuses the sauce with a pungent, earthy flavor, adding depth and complexity.
Roasted Red Pepper and Brine	The peppers contribute a smoky sweetness, while the brine adds a tangy depth, elevating the sauce’s flavor palette.
Vegan Sour Cream	Introduces a tangy creaminess, mimicking the lushness of traditional dairy-based sauces. I used Tofutti and Violife brands, both offering great results!
Vegetable Broth	Acts as the liquid base, adding moisture and a subtle savory undertone that ties the flavors together.
Nutritional Yeast	Provides a cheesy, umami flavor, making the sauce a great vegan alternative to cheese-based sauces.
Apple Cider Vinegar	Adds a bright acidity, balancing the sauce’s richness and enhancing its overall taste.
Shiro Miso	Offers a fermented depth, contributing a complex umami kick that rounds out the sauce’s flavor profile.
Soy Sauce (Optional)	Feel free to incorporate a tablespoon of tamari or soy sauce for an extra depth of flavor, adjusting the salt accordingly.

About Shiro Miso

Shiro miso, also known as white miso, is a Japanese seasoning produced by fermenting soybeans with a large percentage of rice, which imparts a lighter color and a slightly sweet, mellow flavor.

This ingredient is vital in the recipe for its ability to add a depth of flavor that enhances the sauce’s complexity, offering a unique blend of umami that’s not too overpowering. Its mellow character is particularly suited to dishes where balance and subtlety are key.

If shiro miso is unavailable, mellow miso can serve as a substitute, as it shares a similar flavor profile and will not drastically alter the sauce’s intended taste.

How To Make This Dairy-Free, Cheesy Pasta Sauce

Preparation of Ingredients:

• Begin by soaking the raw cashews, preferably overnight, to soften them. This ensures they blend into a smooth, creamy texture.
• Tip: If you’re short on time, a quick soak of cashews in hot water for 30 minutes can also work.
• Chop the cauliflower into florets.

Cooking the Vegetables:

• Boil the cauliflower florets with a bit of salt until they’re soft but not mushy.
• Tip: To preserve nutrients, you can steam the cauliflower instead of boiling.
• Meanwhile, lightly sauté the chopped onions and garlic in a pan until they’re fragrant and slightly golden.
• Tip: Burning the garlic will create a very bitter taste, so keep an eye on them.

Blending the Sauce:

• Transfer the boiled cauliflower, sautéed onions, and garlic into a blender.
• Add the roasted red peppers, brine, vegan sour cream, vegetable broth, nutritional yeast, apple cider vinegar, and shiro miso to the blender.
• Blend everything until the mixture is completely smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
• Tip: Start blending on a low speed to incorporate the ingredients, then gradually increase to high speed for a smooth sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more vegetable broth to reach your desired consistency.

Combining with Pasta:

• Cook your choice of pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
• Tip: To keep the pasta from sticking together, stir occasionally during cooking, and don’t forget to salt the water for flavor.
• Drain the pasta and mix it with the desired amount of roasted red pepper sauce, ensuring the pasta is evenly coated.
• Tip: Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining. If the sauce is too thick when mixing with pasta, add a little pasta water to achieve a creamier consistency.

Serving and Storing Your Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

Serving Suggestions:

• Pasta Perfect: Ideal with most pasta, from macaroni to penne. For a fresh touch, garnish with fresh basil or vegan parmesan.
• Versatile Topper: Drizzle over roasted vegetables, grilled tofu, or use as a dip for crusty bread.
• For a Spicier Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce into the blend to heat things up.
• Buddha Bowls: Elevate grain bowls or salads by using the sauce as a flavorful dressing.
• Risotto: Add this to a risotto dish for a unique spin on the classic.
• Burritos and Quesadillas: Use this cheesy sauce for a lighter version of vegan cheese sauce.

Storage Tips:

• Refrigerate: Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freeze for Later: Freeze in airtight containers or small containers for easy portioning. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator when ready to use. This sauce can be frozen for up to 3 months.
• Reheat Gently: Warm up on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of vegetable broth if the sauce has thickened too much.

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