53 Vegan Pastas
~ Vegan pastas are a dinner everyone can agree on … whether you’re technically vegan or not. Full of comforting flavors, so you don’t even miss the meat! Plus, they’re loaded with nutrition, so you’ll feel great sharing them with people you love. Oh … and most of these recipes are ready in under 30 minutes, too! ~
As more and more people are trying to include extra veggies and plant-based meals in their diet, it can be tricky to find dinner ideas the whole family can agree on.
Pasta is an easy solution!
Many pasta recipes are already plant-based (aka vegan) to start with … no modifications needed.
And, as all the recipes below perfectly showcase, a few creative tweaks are often all that’s needed to turn a non-vegan pasta recipe into one that’s vegan-friendly and ideal for the whole gang.
With so many rich flavors, creamy sauces, umami-boosted ingredients, and varied textures, these vegan pastas will leave everybody satisfied … even the meat-eaters at your table.
Nobody’s gonna miss the meat one bit!
As an added bonus, most of these recipes are ready in less than 30 minutes, too. And lots of them refrigerate or freeze well for make-ahead meals and meal prepping.
I was endlessly inspired as I put this collection together to share with you guys, and I bet you’re going to find lots of recipes to add into your meal rotations … whether your whole family is vegan or not.
Take a peek and see what I mean!
Pro Tip! – Scroll down to the bottom of this post for lots of strategies for converting your favorite pasta recipes into vegan-friendly versions, or creating your own veg-forward masterpieces!
Vegan Pasta Recipes
The Best Vegan Mac and Cheese
This classic vegan mac and cheese is ultra cheesy, saucy and creamy (yet without one shred of actual vegan cheese in it)! It's topped with breadcrumbs and baked until golden brown and crispy. Seriously, wondrously satisfying. Even non-vegans will find this crazy-cheesy, and with just under 5 stars on nearly 300 reviews ... you know this one's worth a shot ASAP!
Skinny Fettuccine Cauliflower Alfredo
This quick Alfredo recipe is rich and delicious. It also happens to be really low in calories and virtually fat-free! Skip the calorie-dense vegan butter and blended cashews ... and you just might be shocked that you can turn cauliflower into something so beautifully silky-creamy-awesome!
Cherry Tomato & Basil Pasta
Bright cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and aromatic garlic and onions make this simple yet elegant vegan pasta truly shine! A drizzle of balsamic glaze is the perfect touch of sweetness. Ready in just 20 minutes and oil-free, too.
Creamy Tomato Pasta
A super easy, 15-minute vegan pasta made with just 7 ingredients! But if you wanna get a little creative, check out the list of optional add-ins to change it up in all sorts of interesting ways.
Spaghetti with Veracruz Sauce (Espagueti En Salsa Veracruzana)
This Mexican-style spaghetti is flavored with white wine, onions, garlic, olives, and capers. And it comes together so fast!
Classic Vegan Ravioli
If you thought fresh pasta required eggs and wasn't an option for vegans ... this recipe will change your mind (and maybe your life)! You can easily make your own vegan ravioli dough using just 4 ultra-simple pantry ingredients. Serve it with the creamy sauce (pictured here), or swap in your favorite vegan marinara.
Lentil Bolognese
This plant-based bolognese is a delicious spin on the classic Italian “meat sauce.” Make it with pappardelle pasta, or try the alternate suggestions of tagliatelle, rigatoni, penne, rotini, or fusilli noodles. No matter what you choose, it's super easy, since it uses your favorite jarred pasta sauce as the base! (But if you wanna skip the jar and start completely from scratch instead, try this "Deliciously Rich Lentil Bolognese" from The Endless Meal.)
Pasta with Broccoli and Basil Pesto
The unique pesto in this recipe includes peas, broccoli, and basil. Then, kale and extra broccoli mingle with the pesto and noodles. Wow – that's a lot of green super power! Plus, you've got garlic, bright lemon, and creamy cashews in the pesto ... and crushed walnuts tossed on top for a crunchy garnish. So much to love here!
Roasted Cauliflower Pasta with Red Pepper Sauce
Beautiful pasta noodles are tangled with perfectly roasted cauliflower and a luscious 5-minute red pepper and tomato sauce. It’s rich in flavor, but also doesn’t weigh you down. A true crowd-pleaser for any pasta or veggie lover!
Vegan Arrabbiata Pasta
Arrabbiata pasta (aka “angry pasta”) is characterized by a spicy red sauce. This amped up, non-traditional version adds mushrooms and broccoli. Alternately, if you'd like a more traditional take, try the recipe from Christina's Cucina. Or ... try 'em both!
One-Pot 'Baked' Feta Pasta
So, you know that whole viral TikTok Baked Feta Pasta craze that started a couple of years ago? Well, this is an easy, plant-based version that still showcases that addictive cheesy, salty goodness! It's incredibly easy to make, too. (HINT: it doesn't actually have to be baked!)
Mediterranean Pasta
This Mediterranean Pasta features roasted tomatoes, olive tapenade, tangy almond-based vegan feta cheese, and fresh basil ... all in a garlic olive oil sauce. Fresh flavors that really shine! Make the olive tapenade and vegan feta ahead of time, and this becomes a quick weeknight meal that's ready in a flash.
Creamy Vegan Tomato Spaghetti Carbonara
Alert alert!! Super-cool techniques ahead! This clever recipe captures carbonara's quintessential bacon-y vibe by creating smoky "tomato bacon." And what about the ultra-creamy carbonara sauce, typically made with eggs and cheese? A vegan cream stands in beautifully ... no bacon or eggs needed here!
Fresh Green Sauce Pasta
This tangy pasta gets its vibrant green tones from a combination of parsley, cilantro, spinach, and avocado. Add in some silky coconut milk and nutty tahini, plus garlic and pantry spices, and you've got a super fast yet uniquely delicious concoction that just happens to be egg-free, dairy-free, vegan, vegetarian, and keto-friendly. Be sure to check out the Mexican and Italian variations, too!
Roasted Eggplant Pasta (Pasta alla Norma)
Pasta alla Norma, or "Eggplant Pasta" is a Sicilian dish classically made with macaroni and fried eggplant. Nowadays, people often switch it up with different types of pasta, and keep calories in check by roasting the eggplant instead of frying. This easy vegan version has lots of tips and {mouthwatering} step-by-step pics!
Vegan One-Pot Pasta with Veggies
No straining, no boiling water ... just cook everything in one pot! You'll love how easy this is! Loaded with simple, fresh ingredients plus a few pantry staples, it's super fast, super wholesome. And mmmmmmm ... so yummy!
Vegan Creamy Mushroom Pasta
With hundreds of great reviews, this one is not to be missed! Stir-fried garlic mushrooms and all the decadence of rich, velvety pasta sauce (without dairy) ... in only 20 minutes.
Vegetable Lo Mein
Chinese noodles are brought together with stir-fried, crunchy veggies in a delectable stir-fry sauce! Both Instant Pot and stovetop instructions are included, but either way, be sure to choose an organic brown sugar to keep it vegan.
Easy & Healthy Vegan Lasagna
No mock meat and cheese here! Just simple, whole-food ingredients. But don't be fooled — this healthy, plant-based lasagna is full of flavor! Everyone will be wanting seconds!
Thai-Inspired Vegan Red Curry Pasta
The flavors of this recipe celebrate classic Thai ingredients: coconut, cilantro, ginger, peanuts, and a red curry paste. It's an addictive, 30-minute meal that'll satisfy even meat-eaters. Bonus: it makes a big batch, and leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for 3 months (hello, meal prep)!
One-Pot Pasta and Beans
You probably already have everything you need for this recipe, just waiting in your pantry and fridge to become something wonderful! Beans add great protein, and smoked paprika adds an unexpected little twist. Oh yeah ... and all the action happens in just one pot!
Brown Rice Pasta, Creamy Cilantro Sauce, Roasted Peppers and Zucchini
Creamy and delicious with the fresh flavor of cilantro and a little lime! And hey hey ... once you fall completely in love with the sauce in this recipe, you just might wanna make extra, since it's also great as a salad dressing, a dip for sweet potato fries ... even on sushi!
Oh-So-Delicious Vegan Stuffed Pasta Shells
These vegan pasta shells are stuffed with veggies and tucked into a bed of flavorful marinara sauce. Quick and easy to prepare, this is a perfect weeknight recipe for the whole family, or for a weekend dinner party with your friends. Plus, it's a great recipe to prep ahead and store in the freezer, too!
One-Pot Creamy Lemon Pasta
This 7-ingredient recipe has bright, fresh lemon flavor, and it's quick and easy to make in just one pan. Don't miss the notes about how to make it extra fancy, by topping it with sautéed breadcrumbs, fresh parsley, and lemon zest!
Vegan Cajun Pasta
This easy dinner is packed with Cajun flavors and just the right amount of spiciness. Ready in 20 minutes and made with fresh ingredients and absolutely nothing processed, the sauce is highly versatile, so you can easily make it your own.
Capellini Pomodoro
Beautifully simple! The light and zesty Italian sauce features fresh tomatoes and basil with a squeeze of lemon and a pinch of red chili flakes.
Creamy Vegan Spinach Artichoke Pasta
Love spinach-artichoke appetizer dip? (Ummmmm ... YES!) Then this is a must-try! Plus, we're talking around 20 minutes here, and you don't even have to dirty a knife.
Red Lentil Pasta with Lemon Garlic Greens
This easy red lentil pasta recipe includes sautéed garlicky lemon kale and a vegan walnut “cheese” topping. It’s a quick, nutritious and satisfying way to enjoy a pasta dinner that's both vegan and also gluten free!
Pasta e Fagioli
This rustic Italian dish features pasta and beans in a thick, slurp-able broth. It’s a simple one-pot meal that’s incredibly economical and wonderfully cozy.
20-Minute Vegan Pumpkin Pasta
This recipe's richly velvety pumpkin sauce is loaded with toasted garlic, pumpkin, and sage flavors. It’s so good and such an impressive dish that no one will believe it took you just 15 minutes to throw together!
Vegan Chili Mac
Lots of options with this family-favorite. First off, you can make it on the stovetop or in your Instant Pot – it's easy either way. And you can customize it in lots of ways! Add vegan meat crumbles, for example. Toss in some corn, if you'd like. Opt for mild chili powder or kick it up with a spicy chili powder, a minced jalapeño pepper, or hot sauce. And definitely check out the long list of great topping ideas!
Vegan Pastitsio (Greek Pasta Bake)
This healthy, high-protein, vegan pastitsio (or pastichio) has those crave-able signature layers! Pasta is topped with a lentil tomato sauce and a creamy béchamel sauce, then baked until it's irresistibly golden brown. Great for meal prepping, too, since it keeps well in the fridge or freezer.
Vegan Sun Dried Tomato Alfredo
Almond milk forms the silky base of this creamy Alfredo sauce, which packs in extra umami flavor by incorporating sun-dried tomatoes into the sauce, and also tossing them with the pasta. And all you need is about 20 minutes and 10 ingredients!
Vegan Butternut Squash Ravioli
Pillowy ravioli is stuffed with a roasted butternut squash and sage filling. Then, for the final flourish ... top your creation with a little wilted spinach, drizzle with a warm garlic olive oil sauce, and sprinkle on some tangy lemon zest and crunchy chopped hazelnuts. Mmmmmmm! You can make 'em ahead, too – and even freeze them!
Creamy Roasted Pepper Pasta with Spinach
This recipe features a double-hit of roasted red peppers, both blended into the sauce and in little chunks studding the final dish. Even though it's an easy recipe, the flavors are complex and layered, with one scrumptious taste on top of another. Switch it up by using kale instead of spinach, or adding chickpeas for additional texture and protein.
Creamy Vegan Pesto Pasta Bake
All you need is 10 minutes to get this into the oven, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you need something quick! It's also oil-free, packed with 6+ cups of veggies, and delicious as leftovers.
Egyptian Kushari Recipe with Pasta, Rice and Lentils
This historic national dish of Egypt is made of rice, pasta, and lentils mixed with a one-of-a-kind spiced tomato and cumin sauce, then layered with tender chickpeas and crispy fried onions! It's filling and delicious – a popular Egyptian street food that's deliciously fun to try at home!
Avocado Pasta Sauce
Avocado lovers, rejoice! This pasta sauce is made with just 5 ingredients and is ready in under 5 minutes! Alternately, for a Puerto Rican twist with sofrito and adobo, try the version from Plant Based and Broke.
Tuscan-Style Pasta with Cannellini Beans and Vegan Feta
A creative technique turns marinated tofu into a feta-like topping for this pasta dinner. So much great nutrition here, too, with protein-packed cannellini beans, and antioxidant-rich baby spinach and Italian diced tomatoes. It all adds up to a comfort food dish you'll feel terrific eating!
Fall Roasted Vegetable Pasta
The flavors of a fall harvest ... in a cozy pasta dish. Roasted butternut squash and red onion, seasoned tempeh crumbles, and sautéed kale are tossed with chewy orecchiette pasta and a balsamic broth that brings it all together. This Roasted Vegetable Pasta is quick enough for a weeknight dinner, yet fancy enough for entertaining!
Easy One-Pot Curry Noodles
A 20-minute, fusion dinner that marries turmeric and coriander, which are often used in South Asian cooking, with zata’ar, which is a popular spice in Middle Eastern cuisine. Go with asparagus and green pepper, or play around with other fave veggies instead. And if you don't have any chickpeas on hand? No problem! Try subbing black beans or kidney beans. Lots of yummy options!
Vegan Creamy Roasted Tomato and Garlic Pasta
This baked pasta dish pairs vegan cream cheese and ricotta in a seductively smooth sauce, tossed with roasted tomatoes, garlic, olives, seasonings, and cooked pasta. Everything melts together into the most glorious combination that coats each bite and tastes simply heavenly!
Best Easy Vegan Manicotti
Stuffed with easy-to-make tofu ricotta, vegan cheese, and fresh chopped spinach, this is easy and versatile. It can be prepared ahead and frozen – perfect for busy weeknight dinners. Any leftovers work great for lunches too.
Vegan Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce
This butternut squash sauce is so velvety and delicious, you'll be blown away that it contains zero dairy at all. It tastes like a rich, creamy, cheesy sauce, but it's made with simple everyday (vegan-friendly) ingredients like squash, cashews, nutritional yeast and a few spices. Perfect comfort food on a chilly fall or winter evening!
Vegan Italian Sausage Pasta Soup
Rustic and filling, this soup is hearty enough to be a meal. It features a creamy tomato-y soup base, lots of herbs and garlic, and vegan sausage chunks. And you can look forward to leftovers (if you have any!), since this reheats great, just thinned with a little additional water.
Pasta with Black Beans {Bolognese Style}
A scrumptious recipe that uses everyday ingredients, and turns your canned black beans into a terrific vegan bolognese sauce. It’s healthy, inexpensive, and jam-crammed with flavor and nutrients!
Vegan Pasta Frittata
This vegan frittata is made even better by using up leftover pasta. Thrifty and yummy! It slices beautifully for a sit-down lunch, and travels well for car journeys and packed lunches, too.
One-Pot Vegan Pasta with Spicy Sauce and Broiled Tomatoes
Here's another one-pot recipe for all you guys who love EASY meals! In this gorgeous dinner, the pasta is cooked in a spicy sun-dried tomato and roasted red pepper sauce. Then comes the magic: it's covered in tomatoes and buttered breadcrumbs and broiled to perfection!
Creamy Carrot Pasta
This extra creamy, vibrant pasta sauce is made with roasted carrots and spices (mmmmm ... smoked paprika ...), and topped off with a flavorful carrot top and parsley gremolata. Terrific for meal prepping: make a big batch of the sauce, and freeze leftovers for a quick weeknight dinner!
Spicy Roasted Poblano Pasta
Kick up your pesto with roasted poblano peppers, jalapeño, and a sprinkling of red chili flakes. Sweet and juicy tomatoes are a lovely counterpoint, or try adding roasted vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, or cauliflower.
Creamy Vegan Vodka Sauce
Traditional Italian-American vodka sauce is made with a smooth tomato sauce, vodka, and heavy (dairy) cream. It's easy to make a vegan version by simply replacing the dairy with homemade cashew cream instead (or be sure to note the other creamy options if you're not feeling the cashew vibe here). Pour it over your favorite pasta noodles for a quick and comforting feast!
Vegan Pasta Salads
Ok ok ... so this last recipe isn't just one recipe ... it's actually more than 30 fabulous ideas for pasta salads and cool, summertime-y pasta dishes. From classics like Italian, ranch, and macaroni salad ... to a whole bunch of uniquely delicious, creative new variations, like Mexican Pasta Salad, Hawaiian Macaroni Salad, Thai Curry Pasta Salad, and Strawberry Avocado Pasta Salad. They're all so wonderfully perfect for picnics and potlucks, or just for dinner!
How to Make Vegan Pastas and Adapt Non-Vegan Recipes
Which Pasta Is Vegan?
Most packaged, dry pastas are vegan. An exception is egg noodles, which (as the name implies) include eggs in the ingredient list.
However, most fresh pasta is generally NOT vegan, since fresh recipes typically include eggs and sometimes also milk.
As I mentioned in my article on Vegan Pasta Salads, if you’re following a vegan diet, you should read packages on even dry pastas, though, to be absolutely certain that they are, in fact, vegan. Living My Veg Life has a handy list of vegan-friendly ingredients frequently found in store-bought pastas, as well as a list of vegan-friendly brands.
Vegan Pasta Sauces
Like I’ve said before, lots of pasta recipes are “inherently” vegan, without even trying.
Think of a beautifully simple plate of spaghetti with garden-fresh tomatoes, a garlic-studded olive oil, and vibrant basil. Vegan. Without any swaps or funny business.
Besides a simple garlic-infused olive oil, many other pasta sauce recipes are vegan, too. Take lots of marinaras, pestos (as long as they don’t include parmesan), and many Asian noodle sauces, for examples.
But what about Alfredo sauces and other creamy pasta sauces? And what about carbonara??
• First, with so many plant-based alternatives in stores today, it’s pretty easy to swap vegan versions of the dairy-filled ingredients common in these pasta sauces.
• In addition, as you undoubtedly noticed in the recipe collection above, there are loads of creative ways to devise a richly creamy sauce without dairy. How about:
Huh! Lots of deliciously creative options, right?!?
Ok … and what about the “mix-ins” and toppings? The ground beef in a meat sauce, the parmesan sprinkled on top?
You’ve got options there, too!
“Meaty” Meatless Vibes
Pasta recipes lend themselves so well to vegan eating, at least in part, because they so often include oodles of great vegetables. Healthy, flavorful and filling, without needing to add meat.
But, what if you’re trying to convert a beloved family recipe that does include meat?
You could, of course, look for a plant-based meat-substitute option.
For example, have you tried Field Roast sausages? They’re a particular fave of mine. I truly like them and frequently seek them out instead of meat, even though I’m not specifically vegan. They’re just good!
MorningStar Farms Veggie Chorizo Crumbles are another of my go-tos. Keep ’em in the freezer to add a little meaty kick to your pastas, and lots of other recipes, too.
With so many people looking for meat alternatives these days, the list truly goes on and on!
Making Vegan Pastas More Filling
You might also worry that vegan pasta dishes won’t have enough protein to be satisfying. But it’s easy to add protein, without adding meat!
One option is to add protein-rich ingredients like:
- Beans, chickpeas, lentils, and edamame
- Nutritional yeast, which offers more than just cheesy flavor – it’s actually a complete plant protein
- Tofu (either as a component in a creamy sauce, or added in chunks along with veggies and other mix-ins)
- Vegan “meat” and “cheese” substitutes, based on plant proteins like soy (as we discussed above)
Another option is to select a protein-rich pasta made from something like chickpea flour (but remember to double-check those ingredient lists to be sure the entire product is completely plant-based and vegan-friendly).
Pumping Up the Textures and Harnessing Umami Flavors
You might be surprised to find that, with enough other flavors and textures goin’ on, you probably won’t even miss having meat in your pasta dish!
But, if you do feel like something’s missing, you’re most likely wishing for a boost of “umami” – that fifth prong in our sene of taste (along with sweet, salty, sour and bitter).
Lots of produce is packed with satisfying umami vibes … including sun-dried tomatoes, olives, onions, garlic, and mushrooms. Try working some of those into your recipe to pump up the flavors, textures and umami-satisfaction value.
You can also try tossing on a garnish of vibrantly fresh herbs, crunchy nuts and other toppings that pop with extra flavor or texture (or both).
Vegan Pastas Even Meat-Lovers Will Gobble Up!
For anyone trying to eat more plant-based dishes and incorporate more veggies into their diets, pasta recipes are a slam-dunk place to start. They’re perfect for both vegans … and for people who are simply looking for ways to eat more healthfully.
They’re definitely right at home on dinner tables that have a mix of dietary goals. A trusty peacekeeper in mixed company, since pretty much everybody loves a great pasta dinner!
Whether you try some of the terrific recipes in our collection above, or use my tips to make your own pasta creations, I think you’ll find meat-free pasta dishes surprisingly satisfying, delightfully enjoyable.
Get More Veg-Focused Vegetarian and Vegan Recipes!
Trying to work more veggies into your meal plans? Or maybe you’re following a strictly vegetarian or vegan diet? Either way, we’ve got lots more ideas for you to explore!
- We have a gorgeous collection of the very BEST Vegetarian Meals from bloggers all across the Internet (for ideas that go way beyond pastas to sandwiches, curries, tacos and more … but include a few additional pasta recipes, too).
- Around the holidays, you’ll want to try some of the Vegetarian Thanksgiving and Vegetarian Christmas Main Dishes (most of which also happen to be vegan).
- Or, check out our full indexes of Vegetarian Recipes … and Vegan Recipes … for all sorts of delicious inspiration!
~ by Shelley