20 vegetarian and vegan pasta recipes that are fool-proof and delicious, you won’t get tired making them all year round

Whether you are a vegetarian or vegan who prefers to prepare his/her own food instead of wading through the sea of meat options out there, or hosting a vegetarian or vegan at home, pastas are the easiest and most delicious dishes to whip up. Here are 20 vegetarian and vegan pasta recipes that aren’t just delectable but also pretty simple to do.

1. Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta

Easier than a box meal, this creamy tomato, and spinach pasta is also more flavorful and delicious.

Ingredients you’ll need:

• 1/2 lb penne pasta
• 1 small onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 15 oz can diced tomatoes
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• freshly cracked pepper to taste
• 2 Tbsp tomato paste
• 2 oz cream cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
• 1/2 9 oz.fresh spinach

Try your hand at this recipe – read more here.

2. Easy Baked Penne

The recipe is easy, using just a handful of ingredients, and comes together in minutes. Baked penne is the perfect comfort food- piping hot or as a leftover, enjoyable for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians.

Ingredients you’ll need: 

• 1 (12-16 ounce) box penne pasta
• 1 jar (24 ounces) pasta sauce
• 8 ounces cottage cheese
• 8 ounces sour cream
• 5 cloves garlic, pressed
• 4 cups shredded mozzarella

Try your hand at this recipe – read more here.

3. One-pot vegetarian pasta

 

Vegetarian spaghetti with mushrooms and spinach makes an easy, healthy one-pot pasta dinner that’s ready in 25 minutes! Foolproof, and delicious – that’s the way we like it. 

Ingredients you’ll need:

• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 1 (8 oz.) package button mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
• 1 (14.5 oz.) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• 10 oz. thin spaghetti noodles
• 3 cups fresh spinach
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan

Try your hand at this recipe – read more here.

 4. Creamy Chipotle Pasta

Here’s a great recipe that is also suitable for vegans.

Ingredients you’ll need:

• 1/2 cup Almonds, whole, raw
• 1/4 cup Almond milk, unsweetened
• 1 ea. Chipotle pepper in Adobo, only one of the peppers in the can
• 1 clove Garlic
• 3/4 cup Water
• 1/2 cup Tomato, fire roasted, canned
• 1 tbsp. Lemon juice, fresh
• 1/2 lb. Spaghetti, whole wheat
• 1 tbsp. Cilantro

Try your hand at this recipe – read more here.

 5. Mushroom Stroganoff

Here’s a quick and easy weeknight dish that’ll satisfy your pasta cravings without the guilt! A lighter, vegetarian spin on stroganoff – that can easily be made dairy-free and vegan.

Ingredients you’ll need: 

• 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil, divided
• 1 large yellow onion
• 1 lb / 455 g cremini mushrooms*
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, picked
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 3 1/2 cups vegetable stock**
• 7 oz/200g dry egg noodles
• 1/2 cup plain almond milk
• Salt and pepper

Try your hand at this recipe – read more here.

 6. Black Pepper & Parmesan Spaghetti

Inspired by Cacio e Pepe (aka cheese and pepper), this delicious pasta dish is complemented with garlic roasted cherry tomatoes and fresh basil. An easy meal option that will only take you probably about 30 minutes – totally worth for the satisfaction it’s going to give you as you take a bite!

Ingredients you’ll need: 

• 1 cup (5 oz) cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• 4 oz. whole wheat spaghetti
• ½ cup parmesan cheese, finely grated, plus more for topping
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• ½ tsp black pepper, coarsely ground
• 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped

Try your hand at this recipe – read more here.

 7. Parmesan Garlic Spaghetti

 

5 ingredients. 20 minutes. That’s all you need. With melted butter, garlic and freshly grated parmesan, this is a winning combination for you and/or the entire family! Great for sharing.

Ingredients you’ll need: 

• 8 ounces spaghetti
• 10 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Try your hand at this recipe – read more here.

 8. Creamy Garlic Penne Pasta

Ingredients you’ll need: 

• 1 box (1 lb) penne pasta
• 3 TB butter
• 2 tsp. minced garlic
• 3 TB flour
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tsp dried parsley
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese

Try your hand at this recipe – read more here.

 9. Tomato Pesto Pasta

This one has great texture and wholesome taste. You can also consider this recipe if you’re vegan.

Ingredients you’ll need: 

• slivered almonds
• 10 to 12 ounces cherry or grape tomatoes (about 2 to 3 cups)
• 1/2 cup packed fresh basil leaves
• 1 medium garlic clove, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon red wine vinegar
• Pinch of red pepper flakes
• 3/4 teaspoon coarse, kosher salt
• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 pound linguine or spaghetti noodles

Try your hand at this recipe – read more here.

 10. Cheesy Spinach Pasta

A delicious pasta covered in a creamy spinach sauce – easy, peasy, spinach squeezy.

Ingredients you’ll need: 

• Gluten-free penne
• 3 Tablespoons vegan buttery spread
• 3 cups Daiya mozzarella shreds
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 1/2 cups non-dairy milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 teaspoon pepper
• 3 handfuls fresh spinach

Try your hand at this recipe – read more here.

11. Lemon Garlic Asparagus Pasta

 

 

Lemon Garlic Asparagus Pasta is a fast, easy, and fresh weeknight dinner that you’ll come back to again and again and have memorized in no time. As interesting as its name sounds, we’re pretty sure you’ll fall head over heels for it in a few bites. Yum!

Ingredients you’ll need: 

• • 8 oz. pasta
  • 1 bunch asparagus 
  • 2 Tbsp butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lemon

Try your hand at this recipe – read more here.

12. Tomato Olive Pasta

This Tomato Olive Pasta dish is vegan, super quick to make (15 minutes), requires basic ingredients that you probably have in your pantry, or you can find easily from your local grocer. Its fuss-free too, requiring but only one-pot. Ultimately, it’s just when you’re in one of either mood: I-don’t-really-want-to-cook-much-I-just-want-to-stuff-my-face-with-pasta or I’m-all-alone-don’t-want-to-eat-anything-fancy,pasta-will-do.

Ingredients you’ll need: 

• 1 cup egg-free fusilli pasta
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1/3 cup pitted green olives – halved
• 1/2 cup tomato purée/passata
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Try your hand at this recipe – read more here.

13. Creamy Pumpkin Sage Pasta

Like something that’s naturally sweet? The pumpkin puree gives it an amazing natural sweetness and the chopped walnuts give it great texture. This is also suitable for vegans.

Ingredients you’ll need:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1 large shallot diced
• 3 tbsp chopped fresh sage
• 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup diced cherry tomatoes (or use 1/4 cup canned diced tomatoes)
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1 and 1/4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
• 1 and 1/2 cups plain, unsweetened non-dairy milk
• 3/4 cup unsweetened pumpkin puree
• 8 oz. dry pasta
• 1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts

Try your hand at this recipe – read more here.

14. Broccoli & Garlic Pasta

Penne pasta tossed in garlicky broccoli and olive oil with a hint of heat from red pepper flakes topped with plenty of Parmesan cheese for serving. It’s simple, easy and completely delicious.

Ingredients you’ll need: 

• ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 peeled whole cloves garlic, smashed plus 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 cups broccoli florets, fresh or frozen (thawed)
• sea salt and fresh black pepper
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 8 ounces penne pasta

Try your hand at this recipe – read more here.

15. Red Pepper Pasta

This recipe is too good to be true. The sauce for this pasta is a three-ingredient game-changer, it’s not only super pretty with its striking, vibrant colours, it’s also super delicious too, with hints of nut and spice kicking your taste-buds in only the right places.

Ingredients you’ll need: 

• Roasted red peppers
• Cashews
• Spicy tomato sauce
• Whole wheat pasta
• Roasted cauliflower
• Red pepper flakes

Try your hand at this recipe – read more here.

16. Vegetable lasagne

Hearty and filled with green goodness, this recipe will make a treat on a rainy day.

Ingredients you’ll need:

• 350g broccoli, broken into florets
• 100g kale
• 100g spinach 
• 30g unsalted butter
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 2 tbsp plain flour
• 650ml milk
• 75g Cheddar, coarsely grated
• 200g lasagne sheets
• 85g bag crispy salad
• 150g baby plum tomatoes, quartered
• 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• ½ tbsp cider vinegar

Try your hand at this recipe – read more here.

17. Spinach Mac & Cheese

An all-time favourite that will never get out of style, Mac & Cheese is a dish that is enjoyed by adults and children alike. Spinach gives more dimension to the dish so you can easily enjoy more of it.

• 4 cups dried macaroni
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 cups 1% milk
• 1 teaspoon dry ground mustard
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 8 ounces extra sharp cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
• 5 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
• 2 ounces Swiss cheese, shredded
• 1 ounce Parmesan cheese, grated
• 3 ounces fresh baby spinach, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon paprika
• 1/8 teaspoon thyme

Try your hand at this recipe – read more here.

18. Mushroom aglio olio

Here’s a vegan option that everyone (including non-vegans) will appreciate. With simple ingredients, this is a dish that we imagine will make it into your list of perennial favourites to whip up.

• 1 pound portobello mushrooms, sliced thinly
• 6 large garlic cloves, minced
• ½ pound gluten-free spaghetti (or normal spaghetti if you’re not gluten-free)
• Fresh chopped parsley, for garnishing
• Salt and pepper to taste

Try your hand at this recipe – read more here.

19. Olive and feta stuffed pasta

This is something to serve to guests because of how beautiful it can look. It requires some patience and time but we think it’s worth it.

• 250g pack large pasta shells
• ½ x 350g jar roasted peppers in oil
• ½ x 350g jar antipasti artichokes in oil
• 100g small black olives, pitted and chopped
• 200g feta, crumbled
• 500g cherry tomatoes
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp light muscovado sugar
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Try your hand at this recipe – read more here.

20. Pesto pasta with avocado

When you’re tired of tomato and cream sauce, pesto sauce can be a refreshing change. Avocado makes the dish creamier and provides you with a satisfying dose of healthy fat. This is suitable for vegans too.

• 1 box pasta
• 3 heaping cups cherry tomatoes
• 1 avocado, large
• 3 cloves garlic
• Small handful cilantro (optional, about ¼ cup)
• 2 large handfuls basil (1 cup packed)
• ¼ cup kalamata olives, pit removed
• 2-3 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp olive brine
• 1 – 2 tbsp nutritional yeast (optional)
• Sea salt and pepper to taste

Try your hand at this recipe – read more here.