Vegan Pumpkin Alfredo with Glazed Shiitakes and Coconut Bacon

This Vegan Pumpkin Alfredo with Glazed Shiitakes and Coconut Bacon is a Fall dish packed with flavor. No one will know its healthy and gluten-free.

Oh hey there Vegan Pumpkin Alfredo with Glazed Shiitakes and Coconut Bacon.

I think we might break the internet today.

I am not sure it can handle all of the big bold flavors in this dish. Creamy sauce, pumpkin (because FALL), glazed shiitake mushrooms that are sauteed to golden brown perfection, crispy smoky coconut bacon, and some kale for good measure. #balance

This is fall pasta at its best and I can’t stop won’t stop with this meal.

Let’s break down the flavors in this Vegan Pumpkin Alfredo for a hot minute.

The Alfredo sauce: Creamy dreamy cashew Alfredo infused with lots of garlic, pumpkin and a touch of nutmeg. It hugs each piece of the perfectly cooked pasta with its big bold flavor. A real dream.

Glazed shiitake mushrooms: An umami flavor bomb. These slivers of flavor get marinated in a sweet, salty, and smokey sauce. Then heat your pan up hot to get a good golden brown sear.

Kale: Basic. Delicious. Go for lacinato kale for a softer texture.

Coconut bacon: That crispy, crunchy, perfect cheery on top of our pasta dish. It is sweet it is smokey, you won’t believe its coconut when you crunch down on your first bite.

This Vegan Pumpkin Alfredo is going to become your new back pocket fall dish. It is decadent, helloooo flavor, and surprisingly easy to make. It can be served at a dinner party and impress every guest or you can whip it up as a weeknight dinner and curl up on the couch with a big bowl of pasta, a glass of wine, and a Netflix marathon.

Either way, you are winning with this Vegan Pumpkin Alfredo.

Swirling and twirling my way through this pasta.

Vegan Pumpkin Alfredo with Glazed Shiitakes and Coconut Bacon

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Entree
• Cuisine: dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan

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Description

This Vegan Pumpkin Alfredo with Glazed Shiitakes and Coconut Bacon is a Fall dish packed with flavor. No one will know its healthy and gluten-free.

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Ingredients

For the glazed shiitakes:

• 8 oz shiitake mushrooms (cut into strips)
• 5 tablespoons coconut aminos
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

For the sauce:

• 1 1/2 cups  water
• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
• 1 cup raw cashews soaked overnight
• 1/2 onion (finely chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

To make the pasta:

• 1 bunch lacinato kale (chopped into bite sized pieces)
• 8 oz brown rice pasta
• 1 recipe coconut bacon* (optional)

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Instructions

1. Add all of the glazed shiitake ingredients into a bowl and stir to combine. Let sit for 30 minutes to 1 hour to marinate.
2. Once the mushrooms are marinated, heat 2 teaspoons of oil over medium-high heat. Drain the shiitake mushrooms and add them to the hot pan. Cook, stirring frequently until the shiitakes are golden brown and have crispy edges. Remove the mushrooms from the pan and set aside.
3. Add the cashews to a high-speed blender along with the water, pumpkin, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Blend until smooth. Set aside.
4. Add another 2 teaspoons of oil to the skillet. Add in the onion and cook until it is translucent, about 7-10 minutes. Add in the garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds. Add in the blended mixture along with the kale. Cover and cook until the kale is warmed through and wilted.
5. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add in a big pinch of salt and the pasta. Cook according to the package directions. Add the cooked pasta into the sauce, saving a few cups of the pasta water to thin out the sauce if needed. Add in the shiitake mushrooms and toss the pasta with the sauce to coat. If the sauce seems too thick, add in the reserved pasta water one-quarter cup at a time until desired consistency is reached.
6. Top with coconut bacon if desired and serve.

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Notes

*You can find the coconut bacon recipe in this post here!*