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    Home » Recipes » Entreés

    Easy Creamy Pasta

    August 15, 2012 by keepinitkind 26 Comments

    Easy Creamy Pasta

    The twins spend every weekend with Chris.  When I first met Chris, we never saw each other on the weekends, because this was his time with his kids.  One Sunday, however, after almost a year of dating, he told me to meet him at Starbucks, and when I got there, he had brought the twins.  He introduced me as his friend and told them he was surprised to have run into me there.  I began hanging with the twins, not as their dad's girlfriend (because as far as they knew, I was just his friend), but as their friend.  We watched movies, played video games, went on bike rides, and soon, they were begging Chris to let me spend the night with them.  So the twins and I would have slumber parties.  These slumber parties were my first look into what Chris would make them for dinner.  It was the same every Saturday: Prepackaged cheese tortellini, heated, and sprayed with I Can't Believe It's Not Butter spray, with a side of microwaved, canned green beans.

    Easy Creamy Pasta

    I observed this for awhile, and even helped prepare their ritual dinner, until I tried to switch it up and make it a little healthier.  I tried different things each week: Grilled cheese sandwiches, quesadillas, frozen "chicken" nuggets and corn "dogs," but their favorite remained the tortellini with butter.  As they got older, they began to inform us of other things they had begun to like.  One day, Max informed me that they were really into creamy pasta (pasta with alfredo sauce).  So I started making them a pasta with Trader Joe's alfredo sauce, which became their ultimate favorite weekend dinner.

    Easy Creamy Pasta

    When we became vegan, one of the first things I had to veganize was their favorite dinner.  There has been several variations (none of which were an actual vegan alfredo sauce, just creamy sauces to go on their pasta), but this is the version that went over the best.  I discussed recently Sophia's decision to learn to cook so she could be vegan during the week as well, so it seemed pretty appropriate that I teach her their favorite pasta.  She was quite surprised at how easy it was to do, and I loved watching her whisk the creamy sauce as it thickened.  Sophia was also pleased to learn that she could make a big batch of this and eat the leftovers over the course of a few days, or freeze some for later.

    Easy Creamy Pasta  Easy Creamy Pasta

    I'm not sure if it was my cooking or if it was staying up until 1 in the morning the night before Easter to see if we could spot the Easter Bunny, but after a couple months of our slumber parties, the twins told Chris that he should probably make me his girlfriend.  He was more than happy to oblige.

    Easy Creamy Pasta

    Print
    Easy Creamy Pasta

    Yield: serves 6-8

    Easy Creamy Pasta

    Ingredients

    • 16 oz. vegan pasta of choice
    • 1 tablespoon vegan butter (I used the one mentioned here)
    • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
    • 1 cup almond milk (or vegan milk of choice)
    • 3 tablespoons vegan cream cheese
    • ¼ cup nutritional yeast
    • salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    1. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add a dash of sea salt, then add the pasta and stir to un-clump. Cook for about 7-10 minutes, or until “al dente”. Drain the water from the pasta and set aside.
    2. While the water for the pasta is still coming to a boil, you can prepare the sauce. In a pot, heat the butter over medium heat. Once it is melted, add the flour and use a whisk to stir frequently until you have a golden brown paste, about 3-4 minutes. Add the milk and bring to a boil, continuing to whisk occasionally. Once the milk is boiling, lower to a simmer, and continue to whisk occasionally so that the sauce does not stick to the pot. Let the milk simmer until it has reduced by almost half. Add the cream cheese and stir until fully melted and combined. Add the nutritional yeast and stir until combined. Salt and pepper to taste.
    3. Add the sauce to the cooked pasta and toss until fully combined. Serve warm and enjoy! This can be refrigerated in an airtight container and kept for 3-4 days. Enjoy!
    3.1

    Easy Creamy Pasta

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    Photography by Chris Miller

     

     

     

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Caitlin

      August 15, 2012 at 8:01 am

      that is such a sweet story!! i love that you became their friend and created such a strong bond so they were the ones who kind of decided you needed to be part of the family, rather than chris telling them so. (longest run on sentence ever!)

      and this alfredo DOES look easy! yay for sophia continuing on her path to veganism. she'll be a pro in no time!

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        August 15, 2012 at 11:47 am

        Thanks, Caitlin! I'm so happy things worked out the way they did. It was the greatest phone call ever when Chris called to tell me that the twins thought I should be his girlfriend. They are just too great. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Sandi

      August 15, 2012 at 8:15 am

      As a second wife, I am so touched by this charming story! (My husband proposed after two months, and his kids live out of town, so I didn't get this experience! lol) I can see why this version would be a hit with the kids...cream cheesy! Keep doing what you are doing; my stepkids realize I'm a good cook and I get cooking/health/shopping questions all the time! Best wishes!

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        August 15, 2012 at 11:50 am

        Thanks, Sandi! Your comment really means so much to me- There is something about being a second wife that not every one can totally understand. I'm so happy that your stepkids have connected to you as well! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Ashlae | oh, ladycakes

      August 15, 2012 at 9:07 am

      This sauce sounds great. I haven't had alfredo in AGES, but it used to be one of my favorite foods - so I've got to try this recipe. It's going to cool down tomorrow night, so I know EXACTLY what I'm making for dinner. I may even throw in a little broccoli 😉

      PS - adorable story about the twins. So sweet that they're just crazy about you!

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        August 15, 2012 at 12:01 pm

        Thank you, Ashlae! Broccoli would be so good with this! The twins are still at the "I-don't-like-cooked-vegetables" stage, let alone mixing said cooked vegetables with other foods. Some day, I hope... 🙂

        I hope you enjoy the pasta!

        Reply
    4. Andrea

      August 15, 2012 at 10:25 am

      What a wonderful story. I admit I'm a sucker for a sweet tale, but it brought tears to my eyes. I love the kind way you were brought into the family and "adopted" by the kids. You and Chris sound like a special pair.

      I'm still trying to introduce a healthy vegan alternative to the mac'n cheese my 4-year-old granddaughter loves, but no far she hasn't been thrilled with my versions. Maybe she'd like yours. 🙂

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        August 15, 2012 at 12:13 pm

        Aw! Now you're going to make me cry, Andrea! Thank you for your sweet words.

        Children's tastebuds are interesting things to try to please. Dreena Burton says that kids like what they know and I couldn't agree more. At first, the twins were apprehensive about trying vegan food, and literally spit tofu back onto their plates after one bite. Now they love it. It think it's all about being persistent. Your granddaughter is very lucky to have such a good, healthy influence so early in her life! I think it will rub off on her, eventually. 🙂

        Reply
    5. Richa`

      August 15, 2012 at 10:52 am

      That is such a sweet story. So awesome that you all took the time to naturally gel together!:) Hugs!
      My husbands family thought I was part American first and were hesitant about the marriage(love marriages are still a bit difficult back home). but during our stay and wedding, things just started to fall into place because of his sweet sister and sister in law.

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        August 15, 2012 at 12:23 pm

        Wow! I am always so intrigued with families and the way they regard certain traditions so highly. I can totally understand how once they got to know you, it was hard not to fall in love with you! I'm so happy things fell into place the way the needed to. I suppose things always do fall into place, just as they should (though it's not always apparent at the time). 🙂

        Reply
        • Richa`

          August 15, 2012 at 3:10 pm

          yup. it definitely takes time and patience. its amazing the way you took the time to let the twins bring you in. It can get stressful very quickly. i am so happy for you and chris and the twins and everyone!:)

          Reply
    6. Annie

      August 15, 2012 at 12:13 pm

      It sounds to me as if you and Chris handled what could be a very touchy situation with sensitivity and thoughtfulness. How could the twins not fall in love with you??

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        August 15, 2012 at 2:13 pm

        Thank you, Annie. 🙂

        Reply
    7. Heather

      August 15, 2012 at 12:26 pm

      Awww that is the sweetest story ever!

      And the twins,they have good taste- this vegan alfredo looks ah-maz-ing! I cannot wait to try it, it is super simple too!

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        August 15, 2012 at 2:14 pm

        Thanks, Heather! I think it's a pretty sweet story too. And the pasta is super simple because I wanted it to be something Sophie could do on her own when she wants. 🙂

        Reply
        • heather

          August 18, 2012 at 8:16 pm

          Just made this tonight using spinach chi's fettucini with arugula and tomatoes - so good & super easy, love it!

          Reply
          • keepinitkind

            August 19, 2012 at 12:53 pm

            You totally just made my day, Heather! Thank you so much for telling me! Hope you're having a fantastic weekend! 🙂

            Reply
    8. Gabby @ the veggie nook

      August 15, 2012 at 12:36 pm

      Your stories about the twins always warm my heart but I think this was my absolute favourite! You have such a special relationship with them and I'm so glad you decided to share that!

      What a lovely though, to recreate their favourite dish! It sounds oh so creamy and delicious!

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        August 15, 2012 at 2:15 pm

        Thank you, Gabby! I'm glad my twin stories aren't getting boring. 🙂

        I'm glad you like the pasta- though it's not really my kind of dish, the twins LOVE it.

        Reply
    9. veganfling

      August 17, 2012 at 8:25 am

      I love your kid-friendly recipes so much! I think it's great that you are passing along your cooking skills to a willing student. 🙂 Also, this pasta looks really tasty!

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        August 19, 2012 at 12:36 pm

        Thank you, Melissa! I love passing on my "cooking skills"- it reminds me of when my grandma taught me to cook. 🙂

        Reply
    10. Cadry

      August 19, 2012 at 4:27 pm

      What a sweet story! That was so smart of Chris to take a cautious, slow start with the twins and then to allow them to get to know you on their terms. They were allowed to "choose you."

      Reply
    11. Katie (Lemon Jitters)

      August 20, 2012 at 7:53 am

      I love easy pastas! And sweet stories. 🙂

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        August 20, 2012 at 3:09 pm

        Me too! Thanks, Katie! 🙂

        Reply
    12. Melissa

      August 29, 2012 at 12:33 am

      What a sweet story! I'm pretty certain that when I was growing up my favorite dish was pasta with butter. Sounds like they adore you!

      Reply
      • keepinitkind

        August 30, 2012 at 12:38 pm

        Thank you, Melissa! I totally adore them too! 🙂

        Reply

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