Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta

Ingredients

• 12 oz Penne Pasta
• ½ cup Raw Cashews
• 1 can Crushed Tomatoes
• 3 cloves Garlic
• 1 small Yellow Onion
• 2 tbsp Nutritional Yeast
• ½ cup Fresh Basil
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• ¼ tsp Red Pepper Flakes
• Salt
• Black Pepper
• 2 cups Baby Spinach

Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
2. While pasta cooks, blend soaked cashews with 1/2 cup of the crushed tomatoes and nutritional yeast until completely smooth. Set aside.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion for 3 minutes, then add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
4. Add remaining crushed tomatoes, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer 10 minutes.
5. Stir in the cashew cream mixture and fresh basil. Add spinach if using and stir until wilted.
6. Add drained pasta to the sauce and toss to coat, adding pasta water as needed for desired consistency. Garnish with fresh basil.