Vegan Pasta Recipes Beyond The Usual (2024)

These vegan pasta recipes range from easy to exotic, but there’s definitely something for everyone!

By Lora O’Brien

Everyone loves pasta, right? It’s cheap, it’s easy to make, and there’s just such awide variety to choose from!

Not just in terms of shape and texture, but now we can choose pasta that’s:

• gluten free
• got added veggies in it, like spinach
• 100% vegan

Some might be saying: ‘Well, duh. Of course, pasta is vegan!’ But nope. Egg noodles, my friends!

How to make a delicious vegan pasta meal

The fact is: the key to a successful pasta dish is threefold.

First, the pasta should be high quality, and cooked to perfection. This is normally ‘al dente’ – when the pasta is tender on the outside, and firmer on the inside.

Boil the water first, add a dab of oil or salt to the water, the pour in the pasta and follow the cooking directions on the package. Drain, and rinse with cold water. Then, toss it in a pan with the sauce of your choice and serve.

Note: many commercial noodles will have egg, especially tagliatelle, fettuccini and lasagne. The solution? Make your own, with a recipe like this, or buy a commercial egg-free pasta. You can also make low carb subs, too.

Secondly, don’t pile it up. Italians serve pasta in small quantities, with a few in-season and locally sourced ingredients. It’s preceded by an antipasto (appetizer), eaten as the primo piatto (first course), and followed by the secondo piatto (second course). So why not start with a salad or soup, serve up a bit of pasta and then maybe some grilled veg?

In other words, don’t just make a huge salad bowl’s worth of pasta for yourself. Not healthy!

Finally, it’s all about the sauce.

Sure, tomato sauce is a vegan no-brainer. But Alfredo? Bechamel? Carbonara? Well, those need a creative twist. Which we provide below!

Vegan Pasta Ideas To Try

1. Vegan Ricotta Ravioli

Ravioli is probably one of my favourite pasta recipes, but it’s rarely vegan. Until now, that is!

I mean, ravioli is normally stuffed with cheese or meat, and the pasta itself is made with egg. But this recipe features sweet, roasted garlic and a creamy almond ricotta – and the noodle itself has zero eggs. Served with some garlic oil and fried sage leaves. This dish is bursting with flavour!

Get the recipe here.

2. Fettuccine Alfredo Sauce

This vegan alfredo sauce will literally become a weekly staple. Yep, it’s that good! It’s made in the blender in just three minutes and the end result is super rich, creamy, cheesy – and just a little bit nutty! Serve with some fresh parsley and black pepper to make it next-level.

Get the recipe here.

3. Vegan Carbonara

This classic dish is one of the most surprising vegan pasta recipes. Why? Well, because it traditionally relies heavily on bacon, eggs and cheese. But this vegan version is heaps lighter and healthier! The sauce is super simple – soy milk mixed with starchy pasta cooking water and flavoured with garlic and miso paste for some umami.

Get the recipe here.

4. The Best Vegan Lasagne

Who doesn’t love a good lasagne? And while vegetable versions are common, those noodles often have egg. This vegan recipe hits the spot every time, and has even had omnivores giving it heaps of praise.

Get the recipe here.

5. Spaghetti Bolognaise

Sure, you could use a mock-meat replacement to make this dish vegan, but lentils are better in my opinion! This 10-ingredient bolognese is hearty, meaty, and packed with umami but 100% wholesome, vegan, and gluten-free.

Get the recipe here.

6. Cacio e Pepe Pasta

This traditionally cheese-and-pepper pasta gets a makeover with some easy swaps! Using just 3 ingredients, it’s nut-free and can be whipped up in around 10 minutes. Fast, simple and delicious, this is one of my new favourite vegan pasta recipes, and my toddler loves it, too!

Get the recipe here.

7. Pasta alla Norma

Pasta alla Norma is traditionally an Italian dish of pasta and eggplant. This vegan pasta recipe is super-healthy, too. It features roasted aubergines with a marinara sauce, fresh basil, yeast flakes and, of course, spaghetti! Yum.

Get the recipe here.

8. Penne all’Arrabbiata

Like a bit of spice in your vegan pasta recipes? Arrabbiata sauce has a small kick from the dried red peppers and is a deliciously quick and easy sauce to toss over your pasta. This recipe is comforting and classic, made with really simple ingredients.

Get the recipe here.

9. Vegan Ragu

Ragu is traditionally very meat based, but this vegan version skips the meat in replacement of mushrooms. Once cooked, they have a very meat-like texture, so this is perfect for those wanting the comfort of ragu minute the cruelty.

Get the recipe here.

10. Vegan Pasta Salad

Got leftover pasta? Turn it into a delicious and easy pasta salad. This one has Mediterranean vegetables, olives and olive oil and is Greek-inspired, but you could use any vegetables available. To finish this pasta dish off, crumble some vegan feta over the top!

Get the recipe here.

11. Trofie al Pesto

Recipes like this show how easy AND delicious it is to eat plant based dishes. This homemade trofie with vegan basil pesto is a vegan take on the traditional Italian dish. Made at home with just TWO ingredients. Cool, huh?

Get the recipe here. ‘

12. Gnocchi alla Sorrentina

If you wish to be transported to Italy, you need to make this dish! The hot grated gnocchi is cooked with fresh tomato and creamy vegan mozzarella. Another of my personal favourite vegan pasta recipes!

Get the recipe here.

13. Orecchiette con le Cime di Rapa

Orecchiette con cime di rapa is a traditional Italian recipe from Apulia, a region of Italy in the south east that is known for its incredible cuisine, history and beaches! This homemade dish is easy to prepare with two ingredients: water and durum wheat semolina flour. It’s so unique, it’s one of the best vegan pasta ideas to serve up to guests.

Get the recipe here.

14. Pappardelle with Mushrooms

Looking for quick and easy vegan pasta recipes loaded with flavour? Look no further! This vegan pappardelle with mushrooms is the perfect dish to whip up for lunch or dinner, and it’s perfect as leftovers the next day.

Get the recipe here.

15. Spaghetti alla Nerano

Sometimes, simplicity is best, and this spaghetti alla nerano is one of Italy’s best kept secrets! It’s full of flavour from the saltiness of the vegan cheese, to the sweetness of the basil and fresh zucchini flavours. Mmm! One of the best vegan pasta ideas for summer.

Get the recipe here.

16. Vegan Hamburger Helper

Sometimes, we just want comfort food, and we don’t want to spend ages in the kitchen, right? Well, when those days are here, grab your pot and make this vegan hamburger helper. The meatless take on the classic is easy to make in just under 30-minutes. Comforting and flavoursome and will be enjoyed by the whole family.

Get the recipe here.

17. Vegan Chicken Tetrazzini

Really hungry? Feeling the chill? This creamy vegan chicken tetrazzini is one of the best vegan pasta ideas for you! Made with spaghetti baked in a rich, creamy sauce with mushrooms and soy curls, it’s a bowl of cosiness to satisfy your cravings.

Get the recipe here.

18. Penne Alla Vodka

GiGi Hadid was one influencer who made this dish popular, and now the world is obsessed with vodka sauce pasta. And if you love creamy, punchy tomato sauces, this is the dish of your dreams! It’s also easier to make than you’d think.

Get the recipe here.

19. Mac and Cheese

Who doesn’t crave a bowl of mac and cheese? Pasta and a vegan cheesy sauce? What’s not to love? And this is one of those vegan pasta recipes you don’t need to feel guilty about eating. Why? It’s loaded with hidden veggies!

Get the recipe here.

20. Creamy Vegan Stroganoff

Believe me when I tell you this is the BEST vegan mushroom stroganoff you will ever try! Packed with umami flavours, it’s super flavorful and so creamy you won’t believe it’s dairy-free and vegan. It’s the ultimate comfort food, and one of the best vegan pasta recipes for serving as a main course.

Get the recipe here.