Creamy Tomato Sauce with Zoodles (Vegan - Whole30)

Dairy FreePaleoSpecific Carbohydrate DietVeganWhole30

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Whole30 Creamy Tomato Sauce is the perfect cross between tomato & alfredo sauce. Served on top of zoodles makes it a healthy weeknight dinner. This Whole30 Creamy Tomato Sauce with Zoodles is Vegan, Dairy Free, Grain Free, Gluten Free, Paleo, Whole30, and Specific Carbohydrate Diet Legal.

Even if I was a dairy eating machine, I would still make all of my creamy pasta sauces with cashews. I love how light yet deliciously creamy cashews make a sauce when blended into a smooth cream like texture.

The base for this Whole30 Creamy Tomato Sauce was inspired by my 3-Ingredient Alfredo which is one of those, “this is way to simple to taste good but holy sh*t it’s amazing” kind of recipes, (that’s actually how a reader described the sauce and I thought it was too funny and accurate not to share). The cream base is then mixed with tomato paste and oven roasted tomatoes to create the perfect cross between alfredo and tomato sauce.

I get a lot of questions about whether canned tomatoes are Specific Carbohydrate Diet Legal. As a general rule most canned tomatoes are not allowed on the diet, but Italian tomato products are an exception. Unlike American products, Italian law requires that all ingredients, no matter how trace the amount, be listed on the label. Because of this, you can be guaranteed that any Italian brands of canned tomatoes that list just tomatoes, salt and oil under the ingredients contain just that, and nothing else.

I prefer the flavour of roasted tomatoes which have been baked in the oven for 30 minutes, but if you are short on time, you could add a can of chopped tomatoes instead, I promise not to judge.

Ok so lets talk zucchini noodles for a sec. When cut too thinly or overcooked, they are pretty gross and absolutely nothing like pasta. I’ve found that the key to getting them right is using the thicker setting on the spiralizer so that they are more like linguine then spaghetti. Secondly, don’t precook the noodles. Because the sauce for this recipe is so thick, by heating the sauce in a covered pan along with the zucchini noodles, all of the excess liquid from the zucchini helps to thin out the sauce. By preparing the dish this way, the noodles don’t turn to mush and you won’t end up with a super liquidy sauce.

This recipe makes a lot of Whole30 Creamy Tomato Sauce, more then you will need for one meal, but it freezes really well so you can freeze it in small portions for future meals. Feel free to play around with the recipe. You can add in more tomato paste if you prefer a stronger tomato flavour, raw garlic for a strong kick, chili flakes or more cashews. You could also add in some shredded chicken, spinach or prawns to the pasta.

Here are a few other veggie noodle recipes you will love:

Creamy Tomato Sauce with Zucchini Noodles
Thai Curry Noodle Soup
Butternut Squash Noodles with Tahini Lemon Sauce

If you make this recipe let me know in the comment section below, I would love to hear what you think or take a photo and tag me (@everylastbite_) on Instagram, I love seeing your photos!

Creamy Tomato Sauce with Zucchini Noodles

Every Last Bite

Whole30 Creamy Tomato Sauce is incredibly easy to make and the perfect cross between tomato and alfredo sauce. Served on top of zucchini noodles this is the perfect easy and healthy weeknight dinner.

4.41 from 10 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Diets Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Grain Free, Paleo, Specific Carbohydrate Diet Legal, Vegan, Whole30

Servings 4

Calories 282 kcal

Ingredients

Creamy Tomato Sauce

600 grams tomatoes (approx 10 plum tomatoes)
3 cloves garlic
1 tbsp olive oil
2/3 cups raw cashews (Soaked for 10 minutes in boiling water and then drained)
2 tbsp tomato paste
1/4 tsp chili flakes
1/4 tsp salt

Pasta

4 zucchini spiralized
1/4 tsp salt

Optional Additions

1 cup spinach
3/4 cup shredded chicken
1/2 cup cooked prawns

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 175 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit)
Place the tomatoes and garlic cloves in a baking dish, drizzle in the olive oil and bake in the oven for 30 minutes until blistered and tender.
Once the tomatoes are done baking, in a high speed blender or food processor combine the cashews, tomato paste, roasted tomatoes, garlic cloves, chili flakes and salt. Blend for a few minutes until the sauce is completely smooth and there are no bits of cashew left.
In a large skillet on medium heat add the zucchini noodles, half of the sauce and sprinkle with salt. Cover the pan and let everything cook for 8-10 minutes depending on the thickness of the noodles. Add more sauce if required. The zucchini should be cooked through but still crisp, make sure you don't overcook them otherwise it will turn to mush.If you are adding in chicken, spinach etc add it in with about 2 minutes left of cooking time just so that it warms through.
Serve the pasta topped with fresh parsley, basil or chili flakes. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 282kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 18gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 532mgPotassium: 1216mgFiber: 5gSugar: 11gCalcium: 96mgIron: 4mg

Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below and let us know how it was!

Freezer Friendly Mains Make Ahead Vegetarian

originally posted May 18, 2018 — last updated April 1, 2021by Every Last Bite

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25 comments on “Creamy Tomato Sauce with Zucchini Noodles”

Sandy — October 8, 2022 @ 7:07 pm Reply

Is there any substitute for cashews? I find that I become constipated from them. Also, I couldn’t sign up for your email list.
Lauren — March 6, 2022 @ 3:00 am Reply

I don’t have a food processor, only a blender. Could I swap the boiled cashews for cashew butter? Also hoping to save a step.
Judy — February 27, 2022 @ 1:09 am Reply

This was amazing. I cut the red pepper in half. Added chicken sausage for protein. So easy. I’ll definitely make it again.
Carolyn — January 26, 2022 @ 1:09 am Reply

If not using fresh tomatoes can you tell me how many cans of whole tomatoes? Also, I would assume that the juice would be left out? Also, if using whole tomatoes and garlic do you peel before putting in the blender?

See Also
Almond Flour Morning Glory Muffins (Grain-Free)
Ashlyn — December 22, 2020 @ 12:03 am Reply

Just made this for dinner tonight and I love it. I did add a couple pieces of chicken to it which made it more filling. It was really easy to make which is a plus and, I love that I can freeze the sauce for future meals.
Lani — June 21, 2020 @ 2:09 am Reply

Can you freeze this sauce?
- Every Last Bite — June 22, 2020 @ 10:03 am Reply
  
  Yes definitely!
Becky — February 6, 2020 @ 3:54 pm Reply

Hi
Could you please confirm if this recipe is for 2-3 cups of cashews or 2/3 of a cup?
Thank you!
- Every Last Bite — February 8, 2020 @ 4:45 pm Reply
  
  2/3 of a cup 🙂
ashly holland — January 9, 2020 @ 3:24 pm Reply

is there nutrition facts for this?
Katrina Matthews — October 24, 2019 @ 2:33 am Reply

I made this tonight and added andoille sausage and it is SO good!!! I also boiled the cashews the whole 30 minutes of the tomatoes baking
Molly — October 18, 2019 @ 3:22 am Reply

I have an allergy to cashews. Do you have any recommendations to swap out?
- Every Last Bite — October 22, 2019 @ 1:36 pm Reply
  
  You can swap the cashews for blanched almonds or macadamia nuts
Brianna Beesl — February 11, 2019 @ 8:48 am Reply

My sauce never turned creamy and silky like yours! I used my ninja blender to mix, but there are still cashew bits throughout. Any suggestions? I probably blended it for 5 minutes before giving up.
Jhuls — January 10, 2019 @ 8:50 am Reply

I am doing the whole30 and I am so excited to try this! Thank you for sharing!
- Every Last Bite — January 10, 2019 @ 7:06 pm Reply
  
  Awesome! Let me know how it turns out!
Megan — January 9, 2019 @ 12:27 am Reply

Mine turned out so watery! The sauce didn’t stick to the zucchini noodles at all. Why did this happen?
- Every Last Bite — January 10, 2019 @ 7:09 pm Reply
  
  oh no! I’m so sorry to hear that! I would recommend adding more cashews to thicken the sauce if it becomes to watery. Also the zucchini noodles release a lot of liquid so letting them drain in a sieve for a few minutes before adding to the sauce will also help.
Debbie — October 21, 2018 @ 1:42 am Reply

Just made this! AMAZING!
- Every Last Bite — October 21, 2018 @ 4:58 pm Reply
  
  Yea!! So happy to hear you enjoyed it!
Erica Ralston — October 2, 2018 @ 12:25 am Reply

Really creamy and full of flavor. So excited to have a healthy creamy sauce. Made mine with gluten free pasta and meatballs. Also stuffed peppers. 🙂
- Every Last Bite — October 6, 2018 @ 12:56 pm Reply
  
  Oohhh I bet it was delicious with pasta and meatballs, that sounds so good!
Raquel — June 18, 2018 @ 7:48 pm Reply

Absolutely loved this sauce! Thank you for the recipe. Is there any chance that you can add the nutritional info? Best regards. Raquel
- Every Last Bite — June 20, 2018 @ 9:05 pm Reply
  
  So happy that you liked it! I will add in the nutritional info this week 🙂

Creamy Tomato Sauce with Zoodles (Vegan - Whole30) - Every Last Bite (2024)