Whether you want an easy family-friendly weeknight dinner option or are looking to impress your guests on special occasions, this collection of satisfying Vegan Pasta Recipes is for you. You'll find a variety of dishes featuring assorted pasta shapes and delicious dairy-free, meatless sauces. And many of the recipes can be made in 30 minutes or less!
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Whether you're in the mood for something light and nutritious or rich and indulgent, these Vegan Pasta Recipes showcase a wide variety of options. And if you choose wheat-free noodles, they can all be prepared gluten-free.
Enjoy them for lunch or dinner, on their own or with your favorite salads and side dishes. This mouthwatering roundup of vegan pasta recipes includes something for everyone, including creamy, meaty, and vegetable-based dishes.
Make them your own with different pasta shapes and a sprinkle of fresh herbs, vegan parmesan cheese, or nutritional yeast at the table.
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Why you'll love these vegan pasta recipes
- They are loaded with flavor and easy to prepare, many in as little as 30 minutes.
- They feature a variety of ingredients including seasonal vegetables, aromatic herbs and spices, and whole-food, plant-based proteins.
- They are a great way to enjoy pasta without relying solely on store-bought bottled sauces.
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Pasta FAQs
Most dried pasta you find at the supermarket, like spaghetti, linguine, fettucine, penne, rotini, etc. is naturally vegan. Fresh refrigerated pasta may contain egg, so be sure to read the package ingredients.
Fill a large pot with water and add salt. Cover and bring to a boil. Remove the lid, stir in the pasta, and slightly lower the heat so that the water doesn't boil over. Cook the pasta until al dente, reserving about a cup of the starchy cooking water, then drain in a colander over the sink. Return the cooked pasta to the pot and toss with the sauce, adding a little reserved pasta water, as needed.
A good rule of thumb is to add 1 tablespoon per 4 quarts of water, which enough to cook a pound of pasta. The salt serves to season the pasta as it cooks.
Reserved pasta water is the water the pasta was cooked in. It contains some of the starch from the pasta, which makes it work as an emulsifier to allow the pasta sauce to cling to the pasta noodles. You can use a coffee mug to scoop out some of the water before draining the cooked pasta in a colander. Then, if needed, add a little bit at a time as you toss the cooked pasta with the sauce. And if you don't end up needing it, you can discard it by pouring it down the drain.
While both semolina pasta and whole-wheat pasta contain gluten, many gluten-free varieties are readily available. Gluten-free pasta can be made from corn, rice, amaranth, quinoa, millet, chickpeas, beans, lentils, yellow peas, or a combination of two or more of these ingredients.
Tomato-based pasta recipes
Traditional tomato-based pasta recipes are some of the most popular, and for good reason. From traditional Italian classics to homestyle favorites, these dishes feature fresh or canned tomatoes.
One of my most popular recipes, this quick pasta sauce with tomato paste is ready in only 15 minutes. It's a cost-effective alternative to jarred marinara sauce, and it's easy to customize with your favorite herbs and spices.
If you like lasagna, you will love this vegan baked pasta casserole. It's easy to make with penne pasta, bottled (or homemade) marinara sauce, vegan mozzarella cheese, and your favorite veggies such as mushrooms and zucchini.
This vegan angel hair pasta is tossed with sauteed cherry or grape tomatoes and garlic, then finished with a sprinkle of fresh basil. It's a light and refreshing meal that's ready in just 30 minutes.
Pasta with pumpkin tomato sauce may seem like an unusual flavor combination. But the sweet pumpkin puree balances the acidity of the canned crushed tomatoes. Seasoned with herbs and crushed red pepper flakes, it's ready in half an hour.
Penne pasta with cherry tomatoes features a summery no-cook sauce. Simply combine fresh tomatoes with garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, and basil leaves, then toss the flavorful mixture with cooked pasta. It's a quick and delicious 20-minute meal.
Vegan Red and Green Pasta is colorful and festive. Made with half tomato sauce and half vegan pesto sauce, it's always a popular dish for the holidays. And it only takes 15 minutes to prepare!
Vegetable-centric pasta recipes
Tomatoes aren't the only type of produce that can be turned into a mouthwatering vegan pasta sauce. Vegetables like zucchini, artichokes, and leafy greens pair perfectly will al dente noodles.
Mediterranean Penne stars zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and pine nuts seasoned with fresh garlic and balsamic vinegar. This simple rustic dish is easy to make in 30 minutes.
Fresh artichokes can be tricky to work with. But this lemony vegan artichoke pasta utilizes frozen or canned artichoke hearts to make this easy Italian-inspired recipe.
This garlicky romanesco pasta recipe stars the chartreuse cruciferous vegetable that's similar to cauliflower and broccoli. It's a rustic dish that's ready in 30 minutes.
Pasta with Swiss chard and garlic is a delicious way to enjoy dark leafy greens. And if chard isn't available, you can also prepare it with kale, spinach, or collards.
Pasta with zucchini is a wonderful way to enjoy tender summer squash. This classic Italian recipe requires only spaghetti, zucchini, olive oil, and a little salt and pepper.
When you have an abundance of fresh produce, Mediterranean vegetable pasta is the recipe for you. I like to use red bell peppers, zucchini, and sweet onions, but any of your favorites will work.
Meaty vegan pasta recipes
These meatless meaty dishes are perfect when you're craving a richer, more substantial pasta recipe.
Or chose any of your favorite vegan pasta recipes and top it with tofu meatballs, walnut meat, or seasoned fried chickpeas for extra protein.
Walnut bolognese is a plant-based version of the classic Italian meat-based dish. It's rich, hearty, and ready in only 30 minutes.
If you prefer a nut-free sauce, this boldly flavorful recipe is like a vegan eggplant bolognese. The eggplant is first roasted in the oven, giving it the perfect meaty texture.
Soy chorizo pasta has all the flavors of your favorite tacos in pasta form. This comforting dish is spicy, meaty, and cheesy.
This vegan Caribbean pasta recipe features rich walnut meatballs, colorful veggies, and a creamy curry sauce. It may take a little longer to prepare than other vegan pasta recipes, but it's worth it!
Dairy-free creamy pasta recipes
Just because you're vegan or lactose-intolerant doesn't mean you have to miss out on luxuriously creamy pasta dishes. These recipes taste every bit as indulgent and satisfying.
Dairy-free lemon pasta is ultra-creamy thanks to raw cashews. It's simple to make the sauce in your blender in minutes.
For a variation on the recipe above, try this creamy asparagus pasta. It taste luxurious and is made with only 4 ingredients, plus salt and pepper.
If you enjoy intense tomatoey flavor, you can't beat this creamy cashew sun-dried tomato pasta. The no-cook sauce takes less time to prepare than boiling the pasta!
Vegan alfredo sauce without cashews is lighter and nut-free. Made with cooked cauliflower and non-dairy milk, it's smooth and silky, just like traditional fettuccine alfredo.
If you enjoy avocados and basil pesto sauce, you'll love this creamy vegan avocado pesto pasta. This decadent-tasting recipe is ready to enjoy in 15 minutes.
Conclusion
With all the different vegan pasta sauce recipes and variations, you can easily enjoy a different dish every night of the week! I hope you enjoy this collection and discover some new favorites.
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