Step 1

First, soften cashews for the pasta sauce. Bring a small saucepan full of water (enough to cover 3/4 cup cashews) to a boil. Remove from heat and pour cashews into the water. All of the cashews should be submerged into the water. Let them sit for at least 15 minutes.

Step 2

Next, prepare the noodles. Fill a 6 or 8-quart pot with water and bring the water to a rolling boil.

Step 3

Add pasta and salt to the water. Stir the pasta periodically and let the pasta cook until it is al dente.

Step 4

Before straining the pasta, remove about a 1/2 cup of pasta water from the pot and set it aside. It will be used later in the recipe.

Step 5

Strain the pasta and set it aside for later.

Step 6

Next, prepare the pasta sauce. First, drain cashews from the water. Then, place all of the ingredients for the pasta sauce into a high-speed blender (we use a Vitamix) and blend all of the ingredients together until smooth. If your pasta sauce isn't blending (is too thick), add a teaspoon of additional vegetable broth to the blender at a time until it reaches a smooth consistency. Set aside.

Step 7

Now it's time to prepare the vegetables. Heat a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium/high heat. Add 3 tablespoons of olive oil to the pan.

Step 8

When olive oil is fragrant, add the onion to the pot and stir. Let the onion cook for 2-3 minutes and then add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes.

Step 9

Add 3 tablespoons of the pasta water to the pot with the onions and garlic, mix, and then add the asparagus. Stir and let the asparagus cook for 5 minutes, stirring periodically.

Step 10

Add the sun-dried tomatoes to the pot and let them cook for 1 minute.

Step 11

Finally, add the pasta sauce to the pot and stir the sauce in with the vegetables. Turn the heat to low and add the last cup of vegetable broth and mix until combined.

Step 12

Let everything cook together for about 2-3 minutes (or until the pasta sauce is warm) and then add the cooked pasta to the pot. Stir everything together until all of the pasta is covered in sauce.

Step 13

Top with optional lemon juice, toasted pine nuts and fresh arugula.