Keto Creamy Cashew Tomato Pasta
Ingredients: Serves 3-4 people

For the Sauce:

  • 1 small white onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 can (400g) of chopped tomatoes or passata (look for a brand with no added sugar)
  • 1 generous handful of fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped + extra to sprinkle on top
  • 1 tbsp olive oil for frying
  • A generous pinch of salt and pepper for seasoning
  • 1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked in hot water for 30 minutes and drained

For the Slow-Roasted Tomatoes:

  • 250g cherry tomatoes, halved
  • A generous drizzle of olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For Serving:

  • Zucchini noodles (zoodles), or another keto-friendly pasta alternative like shirataki noodles

Instructions:

  1. Slow-Roast the Tomatoes:
    • Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
    • Place the cherry tomato halves on a baking tray, flesh side up.
    • Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
    • Slow roast in the oven for 35-40 minutes. The tomatoes should keep their shape and become slightly caramelized.
  2. Make the Tomato Sauce:
    • In a large pan, heat 1 tbsp of olive oil over medium heat.
    • Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until the onion starts to caramelize and turn golden brown.
    • Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
    • Pour in the chopped tomatoes or passata, add salt and pepper to taste, and let it simmer on low heat for 10-15 minutes.
  3. Prepare the Cashew Cream:
    • In a blender, combine the soaked and drained cashews with 1/4 cup of water. Blend until smooth and creamy.
    • Add the cashew cream to the tomato sauce, stirring well to combine. Let the sauce simmer for another 5 minutes.
  4. Combine and Serve:
    • Add the roughly chopped basil leaves to the sauce and stir to combine.
    • Serve the creamy cashew tomato sauce over your favorite keto pasta alternative, like zucchini noodles or shirataki noodles.
    • Top with the slow-roasted cherry tomatoes and extra fresh basil.
    • Enjoy!

Nutritional Information (per serving, assuming 4 servings with zucchini noodles):

  • Calories: ~320
  • Fat: ~25g
  • Protein: ~8g
  • Net Carbs: ~7g

Tips:

Pasta Alternative: Zucchini noodles or shirataki noodles keep the dish low-carb and keto-friendly while still giving you that pasta feel.

Cashew Cream: Cashews add a creamy texture to the sauce without dairy, but they do have some carbs. Adjust the amount or use macadamia nuts for a lower-carb option.

Tomato Sauce: Be mindful of the carb content in canned tomatoes. Opt for no-sugar-added options to keep the carb count lower.