Pasta is a universal comfort food, and going vegan doesn’t mean giving it up. With the right ingredients and flavors, plant-based pasta dishes can be creamy, satisfying, and full of wholesome nutrition.
This guide showcases 7 vegan pasta recipes that are simple enough for weeknight dinners, impressive enough for guests, and flexible enough to use what you have on hand. We cover everything from quick garlic tomato spaghetti to indulgent dairy-free lasagna and budget-friendly mac & cheese, so you can enjoy pasta any night of the week.
Whether you're a busy parent, a college student, or a plant-based foodie, these dishes are forgiving, flavorful, and perfect for batch cooking. Let’s dive in!
1. Quick Garlic Tomato Spaghetti
Why it works: Minimal ingredients, maximum flavor, ready in 20 minutes.
Ingredients:
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12 oz spaghetti (whole wheat or gluten-free)
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Olive oil
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
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Salt, pepper, red pepper flakes
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Fresh basil
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Optional nutritional yeast
Method:
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Boil pasta according to package directions; reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
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In a skillet, heat olive oil, sauté garlic until fragrant.
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Add diced tomatoes and pepper flakes; simmer 5–7 minutes.
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Mix in pasta and reserved water; toss to coat.
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Season and serve with fresh basil and nutritional yeast.
Simple, satisfying, and easy to customize with veggies like spinach or zucchini.
2. Creamy Cashew Alfredo Fettuccine
Why it works: Silky, dairy-free sauce with wholesome ingredients.
Ingredients:
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12 oz fettuccine
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1 cup raw cashews (soaked 2 hours or overnight)
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1 cup unsweetened plant milk
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2 tbsp nutritional yeast
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1 tbsp lemon juice
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Salt, pepper
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Garlic powder, onion powder
Method:
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Soak and rinse cashews.
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Blend cashews, plant milk, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and seasonings until smooth.
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Cook fettuccine and reserve some pasta water.
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Combine pasta with sauce over low heat, thinning with pasta water as needed.
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Serve with parsley and black pepper.
This creamy Alfredo is guilt-free and easy to prepare.
3. Chickpea Pesto Penne
Why it works: High protein and fiber with fresh basil flavor.
Ingredients:
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12 oz penne
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2 cups fresh basil
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1/2 cup canned chickpeas (reserve 2 tbsp)
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1/4 cup pine nuts or walnuts
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2 garlic cloves
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Juice of half a lemon
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1/2 cup olive oil
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Salt, pepper
Method:
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Cook penne and reserve ½ cup water.
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Blend basil, chickpeas, nuts, garlic, lemon juice, and oil until smooth; season.
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Toss pasta with pesto, using water to adjust texture.
Add cherry tomatoes or sautéed mushrooms to round it out.
4. Hearty Lentil Bolognese
Why it works: Filling, protein-packed, and perfect for cooler nights.
Ingredients:
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12 oz spaghetti or rigatoni
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1 cup dry brown or green lentils
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Onion, carrots, celery, garlic
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1 can crushed tomatoes
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2 tbsp tomato paste
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Italian seasoning
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Salt, pepper
Method:
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Cook lentils until tender.
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Sauté onion, carrot, celery, garlic; add tomato paste and spices.
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Add crushed tomatoes, cooked lentils, and simmer 15 minutes.
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Serve over pasta with fresh herbs.
This rustic dish feels like true comfort food.
5. Vegan Mac & Cheese
Why it works: Kid-friendly, creamy, and dairy-free.
Ingredients:
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12 oz elbow macaroni
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1 cup raw cashews (soaked)
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1 cup plant milk
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1/4 cup nutritional yeast
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1 tsp turmeric (for color)
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Mustard powder, garlic powder, salt
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Lemon juice
Method:
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Soak and blend cashews with remaining ingredients into a smooth sauce.
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Cook macaroni and drain.
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Mix pasta with sauce; add pasta water to reach desired creaminess.
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Bake briefly with breadcrumbs if desired.
A classic comfort dish that’s simple and flavorful.
6. Vegan Mexican-Style Shells
Why it works: Unconventional, flavorful, and veggie-packed.
Ingredients:
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12 oz medium pasta shells
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Olive oil, onion, garlic
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1 can black beans (drained)
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1 can corn (drained)
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Taco seasoning
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Salsa
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Avocado, lime, cilantro
Method:
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Cook shells and reserve pasta water.
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Sauté onion and garlic; add taco seasoning, beans, and corn.
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Add pasta, salsa, a splash of water; toss until heated.
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Top with avocado, lime juice, and cilantro.
Fun twist on taco night with pasta instead of tortillas.
7. Baked Vegan Lasagna
Why it works: Great for gatherings, meal prep, or cozy nights.
Ingredients:
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Lasagna noodles (regular or no-boil)
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1 cup cashew ricotta (soaked cashews, lemon, nutritional yeast)
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1 jar marinara
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3 cups spinach
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Vegan mozzarella shreds
Method:
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Preheat to 375°F.
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Mix cashews, lemon juice, yeast, and salt for cheese layer.
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Layer noodles, marinara, ricotta, spinach; repeat.
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Top with cheese and bake 30–35 minutes until bubbly.
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Cool 10 minutes before slicing.
Impressive, satisfying, and freezer-friendly.
8. Spicy Arrabbiata Linguine
Why it works: Simple, spicy, and bold in flavor.
Ingredients:
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12 oz linguine
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Olive oil, garlic, crushed red pepper
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1 can diced tomatoes
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Fresh parsley or basil
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Salt, pepper
Method:
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Cook linguine; reserve water.
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Sauté garlic and pepper flakes.
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Add tomatoes and simmer.
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Toss linguine with sauce; add water if needed.
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Serve with herbs.
Effortless and fiery for quick weeknight dinners.
9. Broccoli Lemon Orecchiette
Why it works: Light, vibrant, and nutrient-packed.
Ingredients:
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12 oz orecchiette or penne
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Broccoli florets
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Olive oil, garlic, lemon zest
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Nutritional yeast, salt, pepper
Method:
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Cook pasta with broccoli stems added.
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Sauté garlic and zest in oil.
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Toss pasta, broccoli, and garlic; season and stir in yeast.
Bright, fresh, and fast with minimal effort.
10. Vegan Carbonara with Chickpea "Bacon"
Why it works: Creamy pasta with smoky, salty depth.
Ingredients:
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12 oz spaghetti
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Chickpeas, smoked paprika, soy sauce
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1 cup plant milk, oats or cashews
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Nutritional yeast, garlic powder, salt
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Black pepper and parsley
Method:
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Season and roast chickpeas as "bacon."
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Blend milk and thickener with yeast and spices.
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Cook spaghetti; toss with sauce and chickpeas.
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Garnish with parsley and pepper.
Indulgent yet plant-powered version of a classic.
Meal Prep & Customization Tips
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Double recipes to save leftovers for lunch.
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Swap veggies based on season or fridge contents.
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Use gluten-free pasta if needed.
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Make sauce jars in advance and refrigerate.
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Adjust protein using beans or crumbled tofu.
Planning ahead makes healthy dinner easier and more sustainable.
Why Vegan Pasta Succeeds Every Time
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Universal appeal – pasta is loved by all ages.
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Simple ingredient lists – pantry staples with fresh additions.
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Budget-friendly – affordable and low-cost meals.
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Satisfying flavors – creamy, spicy, cheesy options without dairy.
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Health conscious – balanced with fiber, plant protein, and healthy fats.
These are not just recipes—they’re solutions for real-life, nourishing meals.
Express Your Plant-Based Ethics
Your dinner choices reflect your ethics—but so can your wardrobe. Whether cooking vegan pasta or exploring plant-based living, you can share your values through what you wear.
The Dharma Store offers vegan-themed organic cotton t-shirts designed for conscious consumers. They’re a stylish, sustainable way to spark conversation and wear your message with pride.
Final Thoughts
From creamy Alfredo and mac & cheese to fresh pesto and spicy arrabbiata, vegan pasta recipes are diverse, delicious, and easy to prepare. Each dish in this guide is designed to be forgiving, accessible, and perfect for busy lives.
Whether you're hosting friends or feeding your family, a bowl of plant-based pasta never disappoints. Healthy, comforting, and rooted in compassion, these meals embody why vegan cooking is both practical and powerful.
Let your pasta cooking—and your wardrobe—reflect the values that matter. Explore ethically made, organic cotton tees at The Dharma Store and wear your heart on your sleeve—literally.