Best Vegan Pasta Recipes (2024)

I was referred to as the “pasta queen” as a kid for good reason. I LOVE pasta. While I’ve come a long way since my days of “penne pasta with sauce on the side,” I can never turn down an easy vegan pasta recipe.

Some of these recipes might seem complicated, but trust me, these vegan pasta recipes will surprise you.

They’re all packed with flavor, easy to make, completely dairy free, egg free and will even impress the biggest meat eater in the room.

Is pasta vegan?

While I love a good egg noodle as much as the next person, pasta IS vegan! So, if you’re wondering which pasta is vegan, the answer is… most of them!

Many people seem to be under the impression that all pasta is made with egg. While some of it is, most dried ones you find in a grocery store will be both egg free and dairy free. Barilla pasta is vegan friendly.

A lot of pasta sauces, however, contain dairy and are not vegan, so vegans cannot eat any type of pasta sauce. I’ve rounded up 20 of my favorite vegan pasta sauce recipes here.

Pasta is usually made from semolina flour, but if you want a gluten free one, brown rice pasta is my go-to. It has the best texture and doesn’t fall apart as easily as some other legume based pastas.

Flavor tips

Be sure to salt your pasta water! While all of these sauces add SO much flavor to the dish, salting your pasta water really well ensures the pasta has as much flavor as possible.

You ideally want the water to be salty like the ocean, so don’t be afraid to really pack it in there! It will also help the sauce stick to the pasta properly after cooking, which is especially important if using gluten free pasta.

1) Vegan Vodka Pasta

This vegan vodka sauce with rigatoni is a creamy and delicious dairy free dinner recipe. It’s so easy to make andready in under 30 minutes.

2) Nut Free Pesto Pasta

This vegan hemp and lemon pesto pasta recipe is sure to be a family favorite! It’s nut free and only takes 20 minutes to make!

3) Vegan Fettuccine Alfredo

Creamy, flavorful, and ready in about 30 minutes, this Vegan Alfredo Sauce recipe is a healthier twist on your favorite pasta dish!

4) Chickpea Pot Pie Pasta

This vegan chickpea pot pie pasta is so easy to make and makes for the perfect healthy comfort food. This chickpea pasta recipe is high in protein, creamy and perfect for a 30 minutes family favorite dinner.

5) Garlic Sesame Noodles

These garlic sesame noodles require just a few ingredients, are gluten free, ready in 15 minutes, and can be eaten hot or cold!

6) Roasted Red Pepper Penne

Ultra creamy and easy to make, this Vegan Roasted Red Pepper Penne is comforting, delicious, and makes the perfect weeknight dinner.

7) Lemon Asparagus Pasta

This creamy, vegan lemon asparagus pasta is a quick and easy high protein dinner that the whole family will love. Plus, it’s ready in just 20 minutes!

8) Roasted Garlic Mac and Cheese

Creamy, rich, and deliciously vegan, this is the BEST dairy free mac and cheese that even gets melty and stringy like traditional mac and cheese.

9) One Pot Mushroom Stroganoff

This One Pot Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff is a healthy & hearty twist on a classic Stroganoff! This cozy and creamy noodle dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

10) Lentil Bolognese

This Lentil Bolognese is the ultimate healthy comfort food.It’s loaded with veggies, super easy to make, and will be sure to please even the pickiest of eaters!

11) Creamy Pumpkin Alfredo

Who says you can’t have pumpkin past Halloween? This creamy pumpkin pasta is vegan, can be made gluten free, and ready in just 20 minutes!

12) Spaghetti Pomodoro

It might look simple, but this spaghetti pomodoro is bursting with flavor.

13) Broccoli Pesto Pasta

his broccoli pesto pasta is the most delicious way to get your veggies in. It’s easy to make, vegan, ready in just 30 minutes, perfect as is or with grilled chicken or salmon!

14) Mushroom Broccoli Rigatoni

This easy recipe is inspired by an old childhood favorite. This Mushroom Broccoli Rigatoni is ready in under 20 minutes and even kid approved!

15) Tomato Basil Cream Sauce

Made with fresh tomatoes, basil, and deliciously dairy free, this creamy vegan pasta sauce is simple enough for a weeknight, but decadent enough for a weekend date night in! Recipe here!

16) Creamy Lemon Pasta Salad

Easy, creamy, and so delicious, this asparagus pasta salad with lemon dressing is the perfect addition to your summer picnic or barbecue!

17) Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese

This isn’t just any vegan mac and cheese, this is THE (baked) vegan mac and cheese that puts all the other ones to shame. It’s rich, creamy, easy to make and actually cheesy with no potatoes, squash or nutritional yeast!

18) Tahini Pasta

The best nut free AND dairy free pasta! This tahini pasta is rich, flavorful and so easy to make.

19) Avocado Pesto Pasta

Put two of my favorite foods together for this one! This avocado pasta is creamy, only takes about 15 minutes to make and loaded with fresh basil.

20) Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese

This sweet potato mac and cheese is my go to when I need to impress. It doesn’t taste like sweet potato, just rich, cheesy and undetectably vegan!

If you try any of these recipes, be sure to leave a rating and review and let me know how they turned out. Happy cooking!

FAQs

What do vegans eat for pasta? ›

Most packaged pasta—including spaghetti, penne, and more—is vegan. It's worth checking the label to be sure, as some pasta contains eggs, but most of the pasta you see on the supermarket shelves is 100% vegan!

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How to make a simple vegan pasta sauce? ›

To make the creamy vegan pasta sauce, add the bean/onion mixture, tahini, lemon zest, lemon juice, a pinch of salt and pepper, and ladle or two of pasta water to a blender. Blend for 2-3 minutes or until smooth. Add pasta water as needed to keep the sauce moving in the blender.

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What is the secret to good pasta? ›

Wait until the water comes to a rapid, aggressive boil before adding your pasta. Throwing in the pasta too early when the water isn't hot enough can result in some sticky, gummy noodles. Patience, friend. Stir right away — and every couple minutes.

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How to add protein to pasta without meat? ›

Some of the best sources in the plant world include beans, legumes, lentils, soy like tofu or edamame, seeds and nuts and some whole grains like quinoa. Certain vegetables also contain small amounts of protein like zucchini, kale and collards (think leafy greens).

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What is the healthiest pasta for vegans? ›

Vegans can eat whole grain pasta as long as it does not include egg or other non-vegan ingredients. Whole grain pasta is also plant-based in most cases, but be sure to read the ingredients before purchasing. Whole-grain pasta has the added benefit of extra fiber and is a good addition to any vegan diet.

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Why is garlic bread not vegan? ›

Generally speaking, the actual dough used in garlic bread is vegan. What could catch you out is the butter contents. Fortunately though, a lot of shop-bought garlic bread uses margarine or olive oil – so just make sure to check the ingredients first!

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What can I put on pasta when I have no sauce? ›

Cheese is an excellent way to add flavor to your pasta without having to rely on sauce. Try mixing your angel hair pasta with goat cheese, and toss in sun-dried tomatoes to make an amazing meal with just a few ingredients. Garlic butter is a terrific way to season all types of noodles.

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How do you thicken pasta sauce without dairy? ›

Combine equal parts cornstarch and cold water. Stir together until smooth. Pour into your sauce and cook over medium heat, stirring continually, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. Test the sauce with a spoon.

What are the three vegan sauces? ›

And once you've made them a few times, you won't even need a recipe!

1 - Béchamel or Basic White Sauce. A white sauce is made by adding milk, salt, and pepper to a roux. ...
2 - Mornay or Cheese Sauce. Building off a white sauce is a Mornay or cheese sauce. ...
3 - Gravy.

Nov 13, 2017

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What is the golden rule for pasta? ›

To be sure that your pasta is cooked correctly, it is enough to follow a few, simple rules. To begin with, you should keep in mind the right quantities. In Italy, the golden rule for cooking pasta is 1, 10, 100 or 1 liter of water, 10 grams of salt for every 100 grams of pasta.

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What not to do when making pasta? ›

8 Pasta Mistakes That Are Ruining Your Meal

Using a pot that's too small.
Not salting the cooking water properly.
Adding oil to the cooking water.
Breaking the noodles.
Not checking the pasta often enough.
Not saving any pasta water.
Rinsing the pasta.
Not considering the combination of pasta shape and sauce.

Jan 26, 2023

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Do and don'ts of cooking pasta? ›

How to Cook Pasta

Step 1: Use a Large, Lightweight Pot.
Step 2: Salt the Water at the Right Time.
Step 3: Stir the Pasta Occasionally.
Step 4: Test for Doneness.
Don't Break the Pasta.
Don't Add Oil to the Pot.
Don't Discard the Cooking Liquid.
Don't Rinse Cooked Pasta.

Apr 3, 2023

What vegetable is high in protein? ›

Among the highest protein vegetables are chickpeas, corn, spinach, artichoke hearts, and edamame. To get all of the amino acids your body needs, aim to eat a variety of foods, such as legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and vegetables throughout the day.

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What types of noodles are vegan? ›

Wheat, buckwheat and rice noodles are all common and on their own present no dangers for a vegan as they are all plant-based. This can also be true for less-common noodles made with seaweed, acorn or mung bean. Egg noodles, on the other hand, clearly are not suitable for vegans as they combine their flour with egg.

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Is most store bought pasta vegan? ›

You should also steer clear of ravioli and other cheese-filled pasta. However, most boxed pasta you find on the shelves at your grocery store is, in fact, vegan and doesn't contain any animal ingredients at all. There are even a couple of well-known, all vegan pasta brands.

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Do vegans eat cheese? ›

Vegans do not eat foods that come from animals, including dairy products and eggs.

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Can vegans eat pasta and sauce? ›

Absolutely. Lots of shelf-stable pasta sauces are vegan. You'll want one that is a tomato base, and make sure that it doesn't include parmesan cheese in the mix.

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