Delicious and Easy Plant-Based Pasta Recipes

Pasta is a versatile and comforting dish that can be enjoyed in countless ways. For those following a plant-based diet, there are a plethora of delicious and satisfying pasta recipes to explore. These recipes utilize a variety of vegetables, plant-based sauces, and creative ingredient combinations to deliver flavorful and nutritious meals. Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a show-stopping dish for a special occasion, there's a plant-based pasta recipe to suit every taste and preference.

Creamy and comforting pasta

10-Ingredient Creamy Vegan Pantry Pasta

This recipe is a lifesaver for busy weeknights. It uses just 10 main ingredients (plus water, oil, salt, and pepper) that you probably already have in your pantry. The result is a creamy, cheesy, and smoky pasta that tastes like a vegan version of fettuccine Alfredo. It’s also easy to customize with your favorite vegetables or protein.

Key Ingredients and Customization:

• Plant Milk: Canned light coconut milk is a pantry-friendly option, but oat milk works well too.
• No Tahini or Mustard? Add a splash of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice for tanginess.
• Customize: Toss in frozen peas, roasted broccoli, beans, tofu, or your favorite protein source.

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta until al dente in salted boiling water.
2. Sauté onions in olive oil until browned, then add garlic and red pepper flakes.
3. Whisk together vegetable broth (or water), tamari or soy sauce, and flour.
4. Pour the broth mixture into the pan with the onions and garlic, whisking to avoid clumps.
5. Reduce heat and add plant milk, tahini, nutritional yeast, paprika, salt, and pepper.
6. Simmer for 5 minutes, or until the sauce thickens, whisking occasionally.
7. Stir in Dijon mustard and adjust seasonings.
8. Toss the cooked pasta in the sauce until well coated and heated through.
9. Garnish with parsley and/or vegan parmesan.

A World of Vegetarian Pasta Possibilities

There are numerous vegetarian pasta recipes that cater to diverse tastes and dietary needs. Here are some exciting options:

Nutty Pasta Dishes

• Garlicky Whole-Wheat Pasta with Fried Hazelnuts: A spicy, lemony sauce combined with crispy fried hazelnuts elevates whole-wheat pasta.
• A Cure for the Blues Pasta: Gorgonzola cheese and toasty walnuts create an ultra-comforting dish.
• Kasha Varnishkes: Buckwheat groats, caramelized onions, and mushrooms team up with farfalle pasta.
• Chickpea Fettuccine with Harissa, Kale & Olives: Gluten-free chickpea noodles are paired with kale, harissa paste, and Kalamata olives.
• Two-Pan Pasta with Spinach, Walnuts & Lemon: A tangy crème fraîche-white wine sauce complements spinach and toasted walnuts.
• Pasta with Gorgonzola, Radicchio, Walnuts & Orange: Bitter radicchio and orange zest add personality to Gorgonzola and walnut pasta.

Asparagus-Infused Creations

• Creamy Asparagus, Lemon & Walnut Pasta: A 15-minute recipe featuring creamy, zesty flavors with asparagus and walnuts.
• Creamy Raw Asparagus Pesto: A hearty asparagus-ricotta pesto adds a unique twist to pasta.
• Tagliarini with Asparagus & Herbs: A springtime bowl of tagliarini with asparagus and a medley of herbs.
• Craig Claiborne's Pasta con Asparagi: A harmonious blend of tomato, asparagus, and carbonara flavors.
• One-Pan Pea, Lemon & Asparagus Pasta: A springy bowl of pasta with asparagus, sorrel, and mint, all cooked in one pan.
• Asparagus Pasta with Pistachio Aillade: Two pounds of asparagus shine in this dish with a simple sauce of pounded nuts and garlic.

Pesto-Powered Pastas

• Middle Eastern Mac & Cheese With Za’atar Pesto: Preserved lemon, za'atar, and fried onions top mac and cheese.
• Swiss Chard Stalk Pesto With Pepitas: Swiss chard stalks are transformed into pesto with pepitas, fennel seeds, and cheese.
• Jamie Oliver's Super Green Spaghetti: A quick kale pesto pasta ready in under 15 minutes.
• Creamy Pesto Pasta with Fresh Tomatoes: Cashew cheese elevates fragrant pesto in this ultra-creamy vegan dish.
• Linguine with Red Pesto & Corn: Summer plum tomatoes, almonds, and celery leaves create a vibrant pesto.
• Kale Pesto Orecchiette: A pesto variation with garlic and cheese.

Warm-Weather Pasta Delights

• Spaghetti with Charred Scallion Sauce: Scallions are used in three ways for a vision of summer.
• One-Pot Pasta Primavera: A vegetable-packed dish with minimal cleanup.
• Pasta with Romanesco, Capers & Chiles: Romanesco broccoli is paired with tomato paste, golden raisins, capers, and white wine.
• Easy Summer Pasta: Roasted vegetables create a ratatouille-like mix for penne.
• Spicy Eggplant Pasta: An easy vegan pasta with eggplant, plum tomatoes, garlic, onion, and red pepper flakes.
• Pasta with Tomatoes, Corn, Squash & Ricotta: A simple summery pasta with juicy tomatoes and creamy ricotta.
• Penne with Sweet Summer Vegetables, Pine Nuts & Herbs: Caramelized vegetables envelop penne, topped with pine nuts and fresh herbs.
• Summer Raw Pasta Sauce with Spaghetti: A pasta salad with raw ingredients like mozzarella and olives.
• Pasta With 10-Minute Tomato Sauce: A quick sauce made with tomato paste, sun-dried tomatoes, and canned cherry tomatoes.
• Pasta With Silkiest Eggplant Sauce From Francis Lam: Eggplant is cooked until soft and mashed into a silky purée.
• Cheesy Tortellini Salad: Frozen tortellini adds a creamy base to a pasta salad with fresh vegetables.

Creamy and Dreamy Pasta Recipes

• Pasta with Yogurt, Green Peas & All the Herbs: Greek yogurt creates an unbelievably creamy sauce with caramelized alliums, peas, and herbs.
• L’Artusi’s Famous Mushroom Ragu With Fresh Garganelli: Almost-pureed mushrooms get roasty-toasty with cream, tomato paste, and white wine.
• Miso-Mushroom Pasta: Red miso complements mushrooms in this hearty pasta sauce.
• Pasta With White Wine Sauce: White wine flavors are amplified with butter, garlic, and aromatics.
• Smoky, Spicy Vegetarian Pasta with Eggs & Mushrooms: A vegetarian take on spaghetti carbonara with smoky flavors.
• Pasta with Spring Vegetables, Bathed in Cream: Spring vegetables and herbs are bathed in heavy cream and cheese.
• Barbara Kafka's Creamy Lemon Pasta: A creamy pasta with just three ingredients: cream, butter, and lemon.
• Miso & Butternut Squash Pasta: Butternut squash blended with red miso, roasted garlic, and pasta water creates a creamy sauce.
• Cheddar & Sour Cream Stovetop Mac: Tangy sour cream makes for a creamy and rich mac and cheese.
• Cheesy Stuffed Shells With Kale Pesto: Jumbo shells are stuffed with ricotta, kale pesto, and white beans.
• Mushroom Pasta With Pepper & Pecorino: A cacio e pepe-inspired dish with mixed mushrooms.
• Vegan Pasta Al Limone(ish): A vegan version of pasta al limone.

Vegan Pasta Recipes for Comfort Food Cravings

Even meat and cheese lovers will enjoy these vegan pasta recipes, which deliver bold flavors, perfectly cooked noodles, and satisfying sauces.

Vegan Alfredo Pasta

Cashews, cauliflower, and pasta water create a creamy vegan Alfredo sauce.

Read also: Delicious Plant Paradox Breakfasts

Vegan Pasta Primavera

A light cashew cream sauce is combined with spring veggies like asparagus and peas, garnished with fresh herbs.

Vegan Fettuccine with White Miso

White miso paste is the star ingredient in this comforting vegan fettuccine.

Vegan Corn Pasta

Blended corn kernels create a creamy, sweet, and smoky sauce, while others are tossed with the pasta for crunch.

Vegan Pasta with Parsley, Garlic, and Red Pepper Flakes

Simple ingredients create a rich flavor in this pantry-friendly recipe.

Vegan Pasta with Radishes, Leeks, and Mint-Pea Pesto

Radishes, leeks, and fresh basil are combined with a mint and pea pesto.

Read also: Nutritious Granola Recipes

Baked Vegan Pasta Recipes

Vegan Stuffed Shells and Lasagna

• Sweet Potato & Kale Vegan Pasta Roll-Ups: Pasta roll-ups filled with tofu "ricotta," roasted sweet potatoes, kale, and sage.
• Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells: Stuffed shells with spinach and tofu "ricotta," caramelized butternut squash, and a lemony cashew cream.
• "Cheesy" Vegan Pasta with White Beans: White beans create a creamy sauce with lemon juice, nutritional yeast, and onion powder.

"Meaty" Vegan Pasta Recipes

Vegan Meatballs and Ragu

• Make vegan meatballs with plant-based ground meat or a mix of brown rice, black beans, and mushrooms.
• Veggie balls made with quinoa, walnuts, fresh herbs, and hummus.
• Lentils, mushrooms, and walnuts create a vegan bolognese.

Creamy Pasta Pomodoro Recipe

This recipe is a favorite for its creamy tomato sauce and fresh vegetables.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Serves: 4

Read also: Advantages of a Plant-Based Cleanse

Ingredients:

• Creamy Tomato Sauce:
  • 1/2 recipe Marinara Sauce
  • ¼ cup raw cashews
  • ½ tablespoon tomato paste
  • ¼ cup water
  • ¼ cup pasta water
  • ¼ to ½ teaspoon sea salt
• Pasta:
  • 10 ounces rigatoni
  • Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
  • 2 medium zucchini, sliced into thin half moons
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
  • 2 (14-ounce) cans cherry tomatoes, drained (or 1 pint fresh cherry tomatoes)
  • 6 cups spinach or mix of spinach & arugula
  • ¼ cup chopped parsley or sliced basil
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions:

1. Make the sauce: Blend marinara, cashews, tomato paste, salt, and water until smooth. Set aside, stirring in pasta water before serving.
2. Cook the pasta: Cook rigatoni in salted boiling water until al dente.
3. Sauté vegetables: Sauté zucchini with thyme, salt, and pepper until lightly browned. Add tomatoes and cook until heated through. Add spinach and toss until wilted. Season to taste.
4. Combine: Toss pasta with creamy sauce and vegetables. Top with parsley and/or basil.

Tips for Cooking Pasta Perfectly

• Wait for a rolling boil: Add pasta only when the water is boiling rapidly to prevent mushy noodles.
• Don’t go easy on the salt: Salt the water generously to flavor the pasta itself. Use 2 tablespoons of Diamond Kosher Salt for 4 quarts of water.
• Check the pasta early: Taste the pasta a minute or two before the stated cook time.
• Save some pasta water: Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining for use in sauces.

More Vegan Pasta Recipe Ideas

• Spicy Pasta Arrabbiata: A quick and flavorful dish.
• Vegan Gnocchi: A 7-ingredient recipe ready in under 30 minutes.
• 9-Ingredient Vegan Caramelized Onion Pasta: Umami-rich with caramelized onions, tomato paste, and sundried tomatoes.
• Amazing Vegan Baked Ziti: Comfort food for any weeknight.
• Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff: Creamy and flavorful without dairy.
• Hummus Pasta: An incredibly easy vegan pasta.
• Vegan Pumpkin Ricotta Stuffed Shells: Cheesy, creamy, and garlicky, perfect for fall.
• Creamy Lemon Asparagus Pasta: A vegan spin on Spaghetti al Limone with bright spring flavors.
• Crispy Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese: The ultimate comfort food.
• 10-Ingredient Creamy Vegan Pantry Pasta: A quick and easy weeknight dinner.
• Tahini Pasta: Rich, comforting, and ultra-creamy with lemon tahini sauce.
• Pasta with Yellow Squash, Tomato, and Vegan White Sauce: A hearty yet light pasta with an abundance of vegetables.
• Pasta Bake with Spring Flavors: A flavorful dish with spring vegetables.
• Creamy Vegan Zucchini Pesto Pasta: Made with caramelized zucchini, garlic, pine nuts, basil, and lemon zest.
• Herby Summer Pasta: Roasted cherry tomatoes, corn, and basil create a light and fresh dish.
• Roasted Eggplant Pasta: A simple weeknight vegan dinner.
• Vegan Pasta Salad: Creamy tahini dressing with lemon, basil, dill, and parsley.
• Vegan Street Corn Pasta Salad: Ready in less than 15 minutes.
• Vegan Sausage and Greens Pasta: A 15-minute vegan pasta recipe that is meaty and satisfying.

Quick and Easy Vegan Pasta

20-Minute Vegan Pasta

This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients:

• Linguine or other long pasta
• Olive oil
• Shallots and garlic cloves
• Red pepper flakes
• Fresh spinach leaves
• Vegan parmesan cheese (optional)
• Dairy-free butter (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta in salted boiling water until slightly undercooked.
2. Sauté shallots and garlic in olive oil until soft. Add red pepper flakes.
3. Stir in spinach until wilted, then add the undercooked pasta with pasta water.
4. Cook, stirring, until the water is absorbed and the pasta is al dente.
5. Stir in dairy-free butter (optional).
6. Top with vegan parmesan cheese and fresh herbs.

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