Cashew Garlic Pasta Bake

Instructions

1. Prepare Oven and Vegetables

   5 min hands-on

   • Preheat the oven to 220°C (430°F).
   • Cut cauliflower into bite-sized florets and dice carrots into small cubes.
   • Toss with salt and olive oil to coat lightly.
   • Spread evenly on a baking tray.

2. Roast Vegetables and Garlic

   3 min hands-on25 min waiting

   • Slice tops off garlic bulbs to expose cloves.
   • Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and wrap in foil.
   • Place garlic with vegetables and roast for 25 minutes until tender and caramelized.

3. Toast Cashews

   2 min hands-on6 min waiting

   • Lower oven temperature to 200°C (390°F).
   • Spread cashews on a baking tray and toast for 5-7 minutes until golden and aromatic.

4. Create Creamy Sauce

   5 min hands-on

   • In a blender, combine roasted cauliflower, carrots, toasted cashews, and warm soymilk.
   • Squeeze roasted garlic from one bulb into the blender.
   • Blend until smooth and creamy.
   • Season with black pepper and salt if needed.

5. Prepare Herby Breadcrumbs

   5 min hands-on

   • Remove cloves from second garlic bulb and mash into a paste.
   • Heat a pan over medium heat, add garlic paste and breadcrumbs.
   • Toast until golden and crisp.
   • Chop thyme, rosemary, and parsley, then mix into breadcrumbs.

6. Cook Pasta

   2 min hands-on8 min waiting

   • Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.
   • Cook pasta for 2-3 minutes less than package instructions.
   • Reserve some pasta water before draining.

7. Combine Pasta and Sauce

   2 min hands-on

   • Return drained pasta to the pot.
   • Add creamy sauce and a splash of reserved pasta water.
   • Stir until sauce coats pasta evenly.

8. Assemble the Bake

   2 min hands-on

   • Transfer sauced pasta into a baking dish in an even layer.
   • Sprinkle herby breadcrumbs over the top.

9. Bake to Perfection

   1 min hands-on18 min waiting

   • Bake at 200°C (390°F) for 15-20 minutes until top is golden brown and sauce bubbles.

10. Serve and Enjoy

    1 min hands-on5 min waiting

    • Let the bake rest for 5 minutes before serving.
    • Cooking tips:
    • For an extra creamy sauce, add more soymilk while blending if needed.
    • To prevent breadcrumbs from burning, monitor closely while toasting and baking.
    • Use warm soymilk in the blender for a smooth sauce.
    • For richer flavor, add nutritional yeast or white wine to the sauce.