ALFREDO WITH VEGGIES RECIPES

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a boil. Stir in penne and return to a boil. Cook pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but still firm to the bite, about 11 minutes; drain. Transfer pasta to a large bowl.
• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir onion and garlic in hot oil until browned, 7 to 10 minutes.
• Melt butter in another skillet over medium heat; cook and stir flour in melted butter until lightly golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Gradually whisk half-and-half and milk into flour mixture until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning into cream sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in tomatoes, spinach, and onion mixture; simmer until heated through.
• Pour vegetable sauce over pasta and toss to coat.

Steps:

• Put cashews in a small bowl; add enough boiling water to cover. Let stand, covered, for 20 minutes. Drain, rinse, and drain again.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes, adding peas and carrots in the last minute of cooking. Drain. Return pasta mixture to the pot. Add mushrooms and spinach; cook over low heat, stirring frequently, until spinach is wilted.
• Whisk 1 1/4 cups water and flour together in a small saucepan until smooth. Simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently, until golden and pourable, about 3 minutes.
• Transfer flour mixture to a blender; add soaked cashews, lemon juice, garlic, salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Blend until smooth.
• Serve sauce over pasta mixture, sprinkled with additional pepper and lemon zest.