Behold a curated collection of 30 of the best vegan pasta recipes gathered from around the web.
Pasta is one of my favorite foods: naturally vegan in many varieties, endlessly adaptable, and reliably satisfying. You can make a quick marinara in 15 minutes on a weeknight, toss together a bright pasta salad for a picnic, or prepare an elevated pasta dinner for a special evening.
Below is a roundup of more than 30 standout vegan pasta dishes, including some original recipes and a selection of excellent plant-based pasta recipes from other creators. I’ve also included practical tips for cooking dried pasta so your noodles always turn out perfectly.
Table of Contents
1. How to cook dried pasta properly
2. Red Sauces + Meaty Pastas
3. Creamy Pastas
4. Vegetable-Forward Pastas
5. Herb-Based Pastas
6. Pasta Salads
How to cook dried pasta properly
Cooking dried pasta is straightforward, but following a few key steps makes a big difference in texture and flavor.
Wait for a rolling boil. Always add pasta once the water is at a full boil. Dropping pasta into water that isn’t boiling can lead to mushy, sticky noodles.
Salt the water generously. Salting the cooking water seasons the pasta itself. For about 4 quarts of water, use roughly 2 tablespoons of diamond kosher salt; for finer sea salt, cut that amount in half. Most of the salt stays in the water, so don’t be shy.
Check for doneness early. Taste the pasta a minute or two before the package time ends. If the pasta will be cooked further (for example, baked in lasagna or finished in a sauce), remove it just before it reaches al dente.
Reserve pasta water. Save a cup of the starchy cooking water before draining. That water helps thicken and emulsify sauces so they cling to the noodles.
Red Sauces + Meaty Pastas
10 Ingredient Vegan Red Lentil Bolognese
A hearty, meaty-feeling lentil bolognese made with ten pantry ingredients. Wholesome, vegan, gluten-free, and packed with umami. Cook time: 55 minutes.
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Spicy Pasta Arrabbiata
A quick, spicy arrabbiata featuring red lentil pasta for extra fiber and protein. Cook time: 25 minutes.
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Vegan Spaghetti with “Meat” Sauce
A flavorful, one-pot vegan meat sauce packed with plant-based protein. Cook time: 1 hour.
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Vegan Gnocchi & Sauce
Saucy vegan gnocchi that comes together in under 30 minutes with just seven ingredients. Cook time: 28 minutes.
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Vegan Caramelized Onion Pasta
A nine-ingredient pasta bursting with umami from caramelized onions, tomato paste, and sundried tomatoes. Perfect for weeknights. Cook time: 50 minutes.
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The Perfect Vegan Lasagna
Layers of creamy béchamel, tangy tofu ricotta, vegetables, and tomato sauce create a decadent vegan lasagna. Cook time: 1 hour 35 minutes.
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Roasted Tomato Spaghetti with Spinach and Chickpeas
A savory roasted tomato spaghetti with spinach and chickpeas—simple, flavorful, and vegetable-forward. Cook time: 45 minutes.
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Amazing Vegan Baked Ziti
Creamy, rich baked ziti made with whole-food ingredients—great comfort food for busy nights. Cook time: 53 minutes.
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PS: for a bonus meaty red sauce pasta recipe that takes just 15 minutes, see the bonus recipe section below.
Creamy Pastas
Creamy Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff
An ultra-creamy, deeply savory mushroom stroganoff that tastes indulgent despite being dairy-free. The ultimate comfort food. Cook time: 1 hour 10 minutes.
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Hummus Pasta
A simple, 20-minute weeknight pasta dressed in hummus for creamy texture and endless customization options. Cook time: 20 minutes.
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Vegan Pumpkin Ricotta Stuffed Shells
Cheesy, creamy stuffed shells made with vegan ricotta and pumpkin, finished with a garlic béchamel—perfect for fall gatherings. Cook time: 1 hour 15 minutes.
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Vegan Creamy Cajun Pasta with Breaded Tofu
A nut-free creamy Cajun pasta tossed with farfalle and topped with crisp breaded tofu—packed with protein. Cook time: 40 minutes.
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Creamy Lemon Asparagus Pasta
A vegan take on spaghetti al limone with tender asparagus, fresh herbs, and a naturally creamy citrus sauce—no cream needed. Cook time: 45 minutes.
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Crispy Baked Vegan Mac and Cheese
A creamy vegan cheese sauce paired with elbow macaroni and a golden breadcrumb topping, baked to perfection. Cook time: 1 hour 15 minutes.
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10-Ingredient Creamy Vegan Pantry Pasta
A pantry-friendly creamy pasta that’s smoky, cheesy, and ready in about 30 minutes—ideal for weeknights.
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Tahini Pasta
A rich, lemony tahini sauce coats pasta and broccoli, finished with garlic, shallot, basil, and lemon zest. Ready in about 30 minutes.
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Vegetable-Forward Pastas
Creamy Vegan Lemon Pasta with Spring Vegetables
A bright lemon pasta loaded with spring vegetables for a refreshing, gluten-free meal. Cook time: 25 minutes.
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Creamy Vegan White Pasta with Summer Vegetables
Summer vegetables meet a light vegan white sauce for a hearty yet fresh pasta. Cook time: 1 hour.
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Creamy Zucchini Pasta with Sweet Corn
A late-summer favorite that pairs zucchini and sweet corn in a creamy, fast pasta. Cook time: quick and easy.
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Vegan Spring Pasta Bake
A spring-forward pasta bake with asparagus, basil, and lemony vegan ricotta. Cook time: 1 hour.
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Vegan Pasta Primavera
A plant-based version of the classic pasta primavera with colorful vegetables in a lemon cream sauce.
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Herb-Based Pastas
Creamy Vegan Zucchini Pesto Pasta
A pesto riff featuring caramelized zucchini, pine nuts, basil, lemon zest, and chickpeas—easy and flavorful. Cook time: 40 minutes.
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Fresh and Herby Summer Pasta
A light, herby summer pasta with roasted cherry tomatoes, corn, and fresh basil. Cook time: 35 minutes.
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Garlic Butter & Herb Pasta with Chickpeas
A flavorful garlic-butter-style pasta boosted with fresh herbs and chickpeas for protein. Cook time: 30 minutes.
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10-Ingredient Roasted Eggplant Pasta
A simple weeknight pasta with roasted eggplant, zucchini ribbons, roasted garlic dressing, and gremolata. Cook time: 45 minutes.
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Pasta Salads
Tahini and Greens Pasta Salad
A healthier take on pasta salad where tahini provides creaminess and bright herbs add freshness. Green beans and asparagus are cooked with the pasta for an easy one-pot approach. Cook time: 30 minutes.
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Vegan Street Corn Pasta Salad
A quick, budget-friendly street corn pasta salad perfect for BBQs and picnics—ready in about 15 minutes.
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Grilled Broccoli & Pepperoncini Pasta Salad with Basil
A distinctive pasta salad with grilled broccoli, pepperoncini, and a lemony oregano dressing—hearty and bright. Cook time: 45 minutes.
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Vegan Pasta Salad
A crowd-pleasing pasta salad coated in a creamy roasted red pepper sauce and topped with herby breadcrumbs—elegant and perfect for summer gatherings. Cook time: 40 minutes.
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Bonus Recipe: Vegan Sausage and Greens Pasta
As a bonus, here’s a quick description of a 15-minute vegan sausage and greens pasta that’s perfect for two. It’s savory, satisfying, and quick to prepare—ideal when you want a filling dinner in minimal time.
