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Fettuccine Alfredo with cannellini beans in a large white bowl with a fork, beside a striped cloth.
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5 / 4 votes

Fettuccine Alfredo with Cannellini Beans

Who would have ever guessed that you can turn a can of white beans into a delicious and creamy alfredo sauce? This vegan take on the classic American favorite is healthy, speedy, nutritious, and totally guilt-free!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Mains
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 514

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 (2 oz) yellow onion, minced
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely sliced
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • One (15.5 oz) can cannellini beans, navy beans, or Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
  • Zest and juice of 1/2 lemon, preferably organic
  • 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
  • 1 cup hot store-bought or homemade vegetable stock
  • Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper
  • 13 ounces fettuccine or other long pasta
  • 1 handful fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped

Instructions

  • In a large skillet over medium-low heat, warm the olive oil. Add the onion and sauté until just soft, 2 to 4 minutes. Stir in the garlic, pepper flakes, and beans and continue to cook until the vegetables have softened, adding a splash of water if necessary, about 5 minutes more.
  • Transfer the sautéed bean mixture to a food processor. Add 1 tablespoon lemon juice and the nutritional yeast, and pulse until it reaches a chunky consistency.
  • Set the food processor on slow speed and gently pour in the stock, a little at a time, and continue to blend until the sauce becomes creamy. You may not need all of the stock. Season with a generous pinch of sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Taste and add more lemon juice, salt, and pepper, if desired.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil, and as soon as the water boils, fold in the pasta and cook until al dente, according to package instructions.
  • Reserve 1/2 cup (118 ml) of the pasta cooking water from the pot and drain the pasta in a colander. Return the pasta to the pot, stir in the vegan alfredo sauce and toss gently to combine all the ingredients, adding a little of the reserved pasta water, if needed, to reach a velvety sauce consistency.
  • Top the fettuccine with lemon zest, chopped parsley, and freshly cracked black pepper, and serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 514kcal | Carbohydrates: 86g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 500mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 3g