Few things are as comforting as a hearty bowl of pasta. It fills both the body and soul with joy—and if it’s a particularly delicious recipe, it can become embedded in your memory. Just me? I can’t help it, I’m a pasta fiend and proud of it. That said, I often get stuck in a rut and find myself making the same dishes on rotation until I get sick of them. And since we all know variety is the spice of life, it’s time to step out of my comfort zone with a new round of vegan pasta recipes to add to my repertoire.
The past year and a half have been exhausting, and as summer starts to wrap up, I’m finding myself looking to recipes that are warming, satisfying, and soothing. And pasta is basically a warm hug in a dish! I love knowing that I can get all the familiar flavors and feelings from traditional Italian recipes in their vegan counterparts. All you need is a few basic ingredients that you can then supplement with vegan alternatives. It couldn’t be easier to enjoy a nutritious, plant-based pasta dish.
Whether you follow a vegan diet, have loved ones with dietary restrictions, or simply want to enjoy a veggie-forward pasta dish, then these are the recipes for you. I have a feeling you’ll find yourself turning to these gorgeous meals again and again. They’re show-stopping dishes that taste as good as they look, and are healthy to boot.
Keep scrolling for 17 heavenly vegan pasta recipes
Why we love it: All you need are eight pantry staples for this gorgeous, rich, bright tomato sauce. It’s infused with buttery olive oil, fresh garlic, and tons of crushed red pepper flakes. The perfect vegan spin on an Italian classic.
Hero ingredient: Don’t be afraid to let this sauce get spicy with lots of crushed red pepper flakes.
Why we love it: This pasta is full of delicious colorful veggies and protein-packed beans, making for a nutritious, comforting, and tasty pasta. It’s also much simpler to make than you’d think. Pasta gets tossed with red bell peppers, fresh basil, lemon, and creamy white beans.
Hero ingredient: I can’t think of a better way to use all my end-of-August basil!
Why we love it: This super creamy roasted red pepper sauce is beyond good. The easy mushroom and brown rice meatballs make for a delicious, filling pasta dish that’s perfect for a cozy meal. You can use leftover sauce for eggplant parm or even a shakshuka!
Hero ingredient: Cremini mushrooms are the star of the meatballs.
Why we love it: Looking to keep it simple but still bursting with familiar flavor? check out this sumptuous pasta of our dreams. It’s bright, lemony, and cheesy with a velvety, creamy sauce. All you need are 10 ingredients. It couldn’t be easier.
Hero ingredient: Miso gives the “cheese” sauce a bit of an umami flavor.
Why we love it: Craving a creamy cheese sauce but don’t want to work with cashews? Cauliflower does the heaving lifting here. This vegan recipe also has a garlic yogurt tahini sauce to balance out the spiciness of this jazzy mac and cheese. It’s comforting, delicious, and packed with umami.
Hero ingredient: Sriracha gives it a kick and burst of flavor.
Why we love it: Get ready to have a new favorite pasta dish in your fall and winter rotation. You probably already have the five ingredients needed for the sauce and a few extra goodies like shiitake bacon. The roasted squash has a delicious caramelized flavor that is nourishing, wholesome, and satisfying.
Hero ingredient: Whole garlic cuts down on prep time and couldn’t be tastier.
Why we love it: It truly couldn’t be easier to make—all you do is cook pasta and blend a few ingredients together for the sauce, and voila! The pasta is delightful and surprisingly cheesy in a way that mimics mac and cheese. It’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Hero ingredient: Top it with sundried tomatoes for extra tomatoey goodness and zest.
Why we love it: Next time you’re craving a hearty, comforting dish, pasta and pumpkin will save the day. The addition of sautéed mushrooms and hazelnuts adds warmth, texture, and a bit of pizzazz if you ask me. Eat it on its own or add a size of Brussels sprouts or spinach.
Hero ingredient: Pumpkin makes it perfect.
Why we love it: It’s essentially corn chowder pasta—a mind-blowing combination. It’s slightly sweet, lemony, and super creamy. You won’t believe it’s vegan. It’s a simple, pared-down recipe that tastes incredibly high-end.
Hero ingredient: Serve it with a little vegan parmesan if you have it on hand.
Why we love it: This sauce is so good you can use it on much more than pasta. Toss it on roasted veggies, a grain bowl, drizzle on avocado toast, or a warm salad. It’s an absolute dream. Just make sure you add a bit more water if you store it for later use since it thickens up considerably in the fridge.
Hero ingredient: The roasted garlic adds a delightful depth of flavor.
Why we love it: This utter dream of a dish includes sautéed yellow squash, red onion, roasted cherry tomatoes, and a light vegan white sauce. It’s a hearty treat that feels light thanks to the abundance of veggies and greens. It’s the perfect plant-based side or main dish.
Hero ingredient: I am loving the yellow squash in this dish.
Why we love it: This is not your average pesto pasta dish. It puts a spin on the classic pesto recipe and updates with a cream-free pesto sauce, crispy cauliflower, and lemony arugula. It’s melt in your mouth good.
Hero ingredient: Coconut milk adds creaminess without dairy.
Why we love it: Keep things cool and light with a grilled broccoli pasta salad. It’s a refreshing pasta dish that’s bursting with bright and unexpected flavors. Perfect for your next potluck or family meal.
Hero ingredient: Lemony oregano dressing gives this pasta salad the perfect amount of zest.
Why we love it: If you’ve been looking for a vegan version of Alison Roman’s cult-fave shallot pasta then you are in luck. This easy sauce is made with quick-caramelized onions, tomato paste, sundried tomatoes, and a few other pantry staples. It’s an umami-packed gem.
Hero ingredient: These caramelized onions are perfection.
Why we love it: Is there anything more comforting than baked ziti? This flavorful, healthy dish is a total crowd-pleaser and even has a gluten-free option if you need it. Get ready to fall in love.
Hero ingredient: This vegan cheese sauce cannot be missed.
Why we love it: Bookmark this recipe for your next date night, because it’s just that good. Mushrooms and sundried tomatoes come together with a decadent cream sauce.
Hero ingredient: Cremini mushrooms!
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