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 pasta is best for vegans? ›

Most packaged pasta—including spaghetti, rotini, and any other type—is 100 percent vegan. To know for sure, simply check the ingredients on your package! Sometimes, you might see “egg” listed as an ingredient in “fresh” pastas, so avoid those—but generally, pasta contains no animal-derived ingredients.

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What does vegan pasta have in it? ›

Gluten-free and vegan varieties tend to replace durum wheat with a different kind of flour that doesn't contain gluten, such as rice or corn flour, and like other dried varieties they don't use eggs so are also gluten-free. Check out Dove Farms pasta, who tick both boxes.

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Does vegan pasta taste good? ›

The pasta had a mild taste that wasn't overly 'lentil-y,' and it was similar in texture to whole-wheat pastas. Some legume-based products can taste chalky or come out mushy and overcooked, but Explore Cuisine's was neither. I served it with jarred spaghetti sauce and, as a special treat, spicy stuffed banana peppers.

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Can you be vegan and eat pasta? ›

Do vegans eat 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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What spaghetti sauce is vegan? ›

The vegan-friendly brand Primal Kitchen offers No-Dairy Alfredo, Garlic Alfredo, and Vodka sauces! Primal Kitchen also has the hookup on various marinara sauces made with roasted garlic, basil, and crushed red chiles.

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Is Olive Garden's pasta vegan? ›

Vegan Entrees

You do get a choice of pasta, though, as their angel hair, fettuccine, rigatoni, and small shells are vegan as well.

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Can vegans eat rice? ›

Yes, absolutely! Rice is a common grain in all cooking and has a significant place in the plant-based world too. Some rice dishes may not be suitable for vegans though, so if you're eating out or following a recipe make sure there are no meat, fish or other animal products being used before you tuck in!

Are potatoes vegan? ›

For a healthy vegan diet: eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day. base meals on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates (choose wholegrain where possible)

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Is Peanut Butter vegan? ›

As with many food items, in its simplest form, peanut butter should always be vegan. The vast majority of peanut butters you find in grocery stores will therefore be fully plant-based. Traditional peanut butter is made from peanuts and often a small amount of salt or oil.

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What is the healthiest pasta to eat? ›

6 Healthy Noodles You Should Be Eating, According to a Dietitian

Whole-Wheat Pasta.
Chickpea Pasta.
Veggie Noodles.
Red Lentil Pasta.
Soba Noodles.
White Pasta.

Jul 13, 2023

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Which is the tastiest pasta? ›

The most famous pasta dishes are:

Spaghetti Bolognaise.
Lasagne.
Fettuccine Alfredo.
Pasta Carbonara.
Ravioli.
Pasta alla Norma.
Spaghetti alle Vongole.
Macaroni Cheese.

Oct 24, 2023

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What Rice do vegans eat? ›

Plain white rice is, generally speaking, vegan. It contains only the rice grain without the hull, making it a good alternative for people who have trouble processing high-fiber foods. White rice often comes topped with non-vegan butter, so be sure to order yours plain.