Stop right there. Sweet potato noodles? CASHEW SAUCE? First of all, y-u-m.
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I made this recipe for dinner tonight. It was amazing! So much flavor. I loved the cashew sauce. This recipe will be a staple in our home from now on.
Elle
Secondly, it’s true. I’m going fake-vegan-rogue on you today.
In terms of actual real life serious commitments, I’m not a vegan or a vegetarian. But I am a person who likes to try new things and sometimes I get lazy about cooking meat, so a few months ago I bought three different spiralizers – those crazy machines that make vegetables into noodles. I wanted to try them and see which ones were best, and why they were awesome, and become a super healthy person with a few swirls of a spiralizer handle, and eventually talk about it in a post. In these last few weeks, I’ve just been a leeeetle too “busy” to get my act together and actually write about the spiralizers, but ironically, the thing that is keeping me busy is feeding my face bowls and bowls and bowls of spiralized sweet potato noodles covered in cashew sauce. It’s just so weird how that works.
So let’s break this down into a less weird and scary // more awesome and healthy and delicious sort of situation.
To start: sweet potato noodles.
How To Make Our Creamy Spinach Sweet Potato Noodles:
I made my sweet potato noodles with the Paderno spiralizer. Annnnnd I just basically gave away my whole spiralizer post to you right there in one sentence. Just… buy the Paderno. It’s $30 and it has a 4.5 ⭐️ rating from more than 6,000 reviews on Amazon.
(But seriously, more to come on the topic of spiralizers in a week or two if you’re the kind of person who needs major convincing. I see you, and I get you, and I’ll be back for you.)
You COULD make your sweet potato noodles by hand or with a peeler or something, but, I mean, why, really? If that’s your story right now, I’d say just skip the vegetables-as-noodles thing (too much work, friend) and go for either regular noodles or sweet potatoes chopped into easy, quick little pieces and roasted to perfection. File under advice from your Lazy Girl Friend.
That being said, if you do have a spiralizer, those big, sturdy, fat sweet potatoes make the perfect little swoodles <– oh my gosh, TREND ALERT 🚨 look mom I just started a trend —> and they are pretty much the cutest thing ever, not to mention tasty and nutritious.
Did I mention the cutest thing ever? I played with them like little vegetable slinkies for at least ten minutes.
But let’s not get too far on the sweet potato noodles because I need to tell you that there is such a thing in this world called CASHEW CREAM.
And it is divine.
Just try not to turn into a vegan when you look at this picture.
Right? That velvety beauty is CASHEWS and water and salt and a little garlic. And that’s all.
So essentially we have sweet potato noodles that are hopefully almost caramelizingly browned with some gently sautéed spinach and a good dose of creamy cashew sauce, tossed all together for a really comforting weeknight vegetarian/vegan type meal. It’s thick and creamy, it’s super satisfying, it’s totally adaptable to anything and everything.
Bacon? I mean, that idea just came into my mind – it had to be for a reason, and maybe you are that reason. Try it. Add bacon. I dare you.
Or roasted chickpeas. Or caramelized onions. Or more vegetables. Broccoli? I could see it.
This plate of creamy spinach and sweet potato noodles with cashew sauce sitting has your fake-vegan-rogue name on it. Unless you’re a real vegan, and then, well, you win at life.
Sweet potato noodle it up! And then put cashew cream on everything you ever eat from this day forward. ✔️
The End.
Creamy Spinach Sweet Potato Noodles with Cashew Sauce
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 1x
Description
Creamy Spinach and Sweet Potato Noodles with Cashew Sauce – easy to make, adaptable, gluten free, vegan. Divine and delicious!
Ingredients
- 1 cup cashews
- 3/4 cup water (more for soaking)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 4 large sweet potatoes, spiralized
- 2 cups baby spinach
- a handful of fresh basil leaves, chives, or other herbs
- salt and pepper to taste
- olive oil for drizzling
Instructions
- Cover the cashews with water in a bowl and soak for 2 hours or so.
- Drain and rinse thoroughly. Place in a food processor or blender (I got better texture with the blender) and add the 3/4 cup water, salt, and garlic. Puree until very smooth.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the sweet potatoes; toss in the pan for 6-7 minutes with tongs until tender-crisp. Remove from heat and toss in the spinach – it should wilt pretty quickly.
- Add half of the herbs and half of the sauce to the pan and toss to combine. Add water if the mixture is too sticky. Season generously with salt and pepper, drizzle with olive oil, and top with the remaining fresh herbs.
Notes
This recipe makes MORE than enough sauce – enough for at least 6 or 8 servings, if not more. I left the amounts that way because it seemed silly to make the sauce with only about 1/2 cup of cashews – it wouldn’t even really be enough to get going around in the blender, and I promise you’ll be able to find ways to use the remaining sauce. It’s extremely versatile.
The biggest thing that affects how many servings you’ll get in this recipe is the size of the sweet potatoes. Keep in mind that they will cook down a bit and one large sweet potato can be sometimes twice as big as a small sweet potato. Just use common sense in terms of serving size and sauce-to-noodles ratios! 🙂
Also, this recipe is sort of a comforting, neutral starting point for those of us who need tons of flavor in everything – so add whatever herbs or flavors you want to the sauce if you want to give it more of a punch. I love the idea of adding chipotles or sriracha, bacon, roasted garlic, caramelized onion… the list could go on…
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: sweet potato noodles, healthy recipe, spinach and sweet potatoes, vegan noodle recipe, vegan recipe
Disclaimer: this post contains an affiliate link for the Paderno spiralizer which is the one I recommend after trying several different brands.
MORE:
- 12 Magical Ways to Use a Food Processor
- 8 Life-Changing Ways to Use a Spiralizer
- 10 Simply Genius Ways to Use a Blender
- 10 Easy Recipes You Can Make in a Dutch Oven
- 12 Easy Recipes You Can Make in a Slow Cooker
- 12 Creative Ways to Love Your KitchenAid Mixer
One More Thing!
This recipe is part of our yummy spinach recipes page. Check it out!
Never even thought about making noodles out of potatoes! These are too cool, I definitely would have been playing with them like slinkies, too! Love it! 🙂
Thanks Sam! 😀
I am always looking for a vegetarian friendly recipe. This one looks tasty! Now I need a spiralizer! How do you manage all your kitchen gadgets? I am running out of room!
I get rid of stuff a lot (goodwill for anything I haven’t used in 2-3 months) – and I store stuff in my basement! 🙂
I really need to get a spiralizer! This just looks amazing. Pinned!
Can you advice any spiralizer? here i didn’t find it =(
I have tried a really popular one from Amazon, and it worked okay, After I was sure I would use it, I upgraded to the Inspiralizer (www.inspiralized.com). It’s awesome – much better thought out (and smaller) than the one from Amazon IMHO.
Ana! yes you do! You will love it.
I’ve been on downward “spiral” since I purchased one. By far my favorite kitchen tool! Delicious recipe!
So fun to hear that Tonya!
Ummmmm is cashew cream the new cauliflower sauce?! Because I am ON BOARD. And you had me at SWOODLES <3
#swoodles
#swoodlesfordays
#lindsaysswoodles
YAY! Lol – love that!
This just looks amazing!
YES to cashew cream! We are brain twins, because I just used it too. I am pretty much in love with the stuff and want to spread it on EVERYTHING. But, with sweet potato noodles? The obsessed just got taken to a whole new level of YUM. Pinned!
Brain twins for lyfe 😀
Mmm, sweet potato noodles! They sound wonderful. I’m trying not to drool! :). I’ll definity have to try this out.
Awesome! I hope you like it Amanda!
I dig it. Sweet potato noodles sound awesome! Adding more potatoes in my body is always a good thing! Yum!
Yup! tru dat
Sweet potato noodles sound like heaven! I didn’t realize that could be done, but now I have another vehicle for my sweet potato addiction! When I finally get a spiralizer, I’ll be sure to check this one out! Great recipe!
xx Sydney
Awesome Sydney! Hope it happens soon! 🙂
Yes it’s a great recipe.
You’re a LIFESAVER! I’m currently on day 4 of Whole30 and totally need this in my life. And I can actually have it – woot woot!!! PS – My Paderno is one of my all-time fav kitchen gadgets!
Yay Senika! Good job – keep eating them sweet potatoes!
Don’t give up on the “Spiralizer.” Super easy for vegetables. I think we all have some vegan in us. We are all trying to do a few more healthier things and change up for our blogs. Go crazy girl!
will do! I’m loving that thing!
Oh my gosh, this looks so amazing. Seriously, cashew cream? I love that this is vegetarian as well. Buuuuuut adding bacon sounds like something I’ll also have to try. And such gorgeous photos, as always!
Thank you Michelle! And yes to the bacon!
I always think about getting a spiralizer and then I forget about it for a while. My interest is once again ignited!! I think I am going to have to just do it because this looks like the most delicious thing ever!
Thanks Chelsea! I hope you like it!
I’ve been putting off getting a spiralizer because I really don’t want another single-use gadget taking up cupboard space in my kitchen, BUT SWOODLES. So now what to get rid of….
I am smiling. 🙂 You can find something I’m sure… or basement? Do you have a basement? Half my kitchen lives in the basement.
Ohmigosh, this looks good! Sweet potatoes are one of my absolute favorites, but never thought of this!! Yum! Can’t wait to make (even if I can’t quite make swoodles since I keep resisting spiralizer).
Come ON Ann! No, I’m kidding – you can still make something delish happen without the little gadget.
So, I’ll probably make this and put them on top of actual noodles because I am a carb fanatic. Do you use roasted or raw cashews? Back in my veggie days, I always used raw but I have always wondered if the cashews would cream if they were roasted to begin with.
Raw! I have no idea about the roasting thing… I’m a cashew cream newbie!
I couldn’t find raw so I used roasted and it was just fine! SO good!
Holy yum! I know what I’m making for dinner tonight! I need too upgrade my spiralizer though. I have a little handheld one, but FYI spiralized knuckles do not add much in the way of flavor and it’s just plain nasty. Just sayin
Gah. That’s one of the ones I bought and tried – I literally have gotten zero noodles out of it. it’s terrible!
hahaha!! this made me laugh Cluttercafe because I am THAT person. I still take the surface of my knuckles off at least once every time I use my crappy handheld. Too cheap for my own good. I have a love hate relationship with it since I can actually make it work…I just hate the process. Cheers to upgrading…and no scabby knuckles.
This is absolutely delicious…I make it at least once a month! Thank you!
Yum! I have a little tiny spiralizer that’s perfect for zucchini. Not 100% sure it can handle sweet potatoes, but I’ll give it a try and upgrade to your recommended spiralizer in a bit if it has a hard time. Loving the vegan cashew sauce – I’ve never made it before, so I look forward to trying it out!
Awesome! Enjoy Alexa!
That’s so funny because I actually just ordered the Paderno spiralizer on a whim as I had enough points through my grocery stores program! Glad to hear you love it can’t wait until it arrives so I can make this I love sweet potatoes!! Also thank you for all the vegetarian posts it’s very appreciated!! 🙂
You will love it Candice!
Sweet potatoes check
spinach check
cashews….*sigh*
I DO have a head of cauliflower on the verge on composting itself (just kidding that would be kinda gross…and cool…a compost bin in the fridge for food that went bad…#patentpending)
Anyways, I love your cauliflower Alfredo sauce recipe! I think I ‘ll try that 🙂
Thank you for the great recipes!
Laughing out loud at your compost idea. I’ll be your first customer.
I think you did convert me. I just bought a spiralizer, but have yet to use it This needs to change!!
Get on it girl! 🙂
My local (Oregon) Winco just started selling grind -it-yourself cashew butter, just cashews in a machine that grinds it, plop, plop into a pint tub.. Would this work without all the soaking? Just add the other ingredients and blend? The cashew butter is a little stiffer than the grind-it-yourself peanut butter, perhaps less oily. Definitely yummy.
I just got a spiralizer (Paderno) and am excited to try it out.
I am totally new to this so it’s hard to say – but I would guess that you could use that and then just thin in out with water or broth based on the thickness (probably too thick to use as sauce as-is).
I don’t think that would work. If it looks like peanut butter, it’s too ground. Just like you cannot make almond milk out of almond butter!
Lyndsay, probably one of my all-time favorite posts! First of all, I’m sold on the sweet potato noodles..brilliant..and OMG the cashew sauce? I have some cashews on my counter winkin’ at me right now. Thanks!
Wink wink! 😉
welp– I just purchased the spiralizer, as in right after I read this post I bought the one you suggested on amazon! Haha. I’ve been debating on which to buy for a while and truly wondering if it is a necessary tool in my kitchen — but SWEET POTATOES! Total game changer. I’m so excited–can’t wait to try this recipe- thank you!
Ugh, it’s just way too fun. You’ll love it!