Go Back
–+ servings
A white bowl filled with pasta salad with vegetables, cilantro, and a creamy dressing.
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Spicy Cashew Pasta Salad

This creamy plant-based pasta salad is made with hearty pasta, fresh vegetables and herbs, and is tossed in a homemade dressing.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 8
Calories: 545kcal
Author: Kelsey Riley
Cost: $15

Ingredients

Cashew Dressing

  • ½ cup cashews soaked in boiling water for 5 minutes
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoon cool water more if needed for consistency
  • 2 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp cilantro
  • 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 1 tablespoon agave nectar can sub maple syrup
  • 2 tsp sesame oil
  • 2 tsp ginger
  • 1 tsp sriracha
  • 1 lime juiced
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • ¼ teaspoon salt more to taste if needed

Pasta Salad

  • ½ cup spicy cashew dressing *see notes below
  • ½ pound pasta
  • ½ cup cucumbers
  • ½ cup tomatoes
  • ½ cup cabbage
  • ½ cup crunchy chow mein noodles Only add when serving, see notes below
  • ¼ cup cilantro
  • ¼ cup slivered almonds
  • ¼ cup green onions

Instructions

  • Start by cooking the pasta according to package instructions.
  • Next, make the cashew dressing. Soak the cashews in boiling water for at least five minutes to soften them. If you have more time I recommend soaking them in the fridge for at least one hour, this will give you a smoother, creamier consistency.
  • After soaking the cashews, drain them and add all ingredients for the dressing to the blender. Blend until everything is smooth, add more water 1 tablespoon at a time if you need a smoother consistency.
  • Wash and prep all other ingredients.
  • Combine the cooked pasta with all of the other ingredients in a large serving bowl and add dressing as desired. If you are making this recipe in advance, do not add the crunchy chow mein noodles until you are ready to serve.

Notes

*I always like to make extra dressing. If you're planning to store this in the refrigerator before serving it will most likely be necessary to add more dressing at the time of serving since the pasta will absorb some of it. 
Do not add the crunchy chow mein noodles until you are ready to serve the pasta salad or they will get soggy. 

Nutrition

Calories: 545kcal | Carbohydrates: 47.2g | Protein: 12.4g | Fat: 36.7g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 1779mg | Potassium: 917mg | Fiber: 7.9g | Sugar: 9.8g | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 7mg