Even meat and cheese lovers will fall for these vegan pasta recipes! They include delicious riffs on fettuccine Alfredo, mac and cheese, and more.
When I’m in the mood for comfort food (which, at this time of year, is like…all the time), one of these vegan pasta recipes always hits the spot. Sure, they’re made without meat, cheese, or cream, but they still deliver everything you want from a big bowl of pasta. Bold flavors, chewy, al dente noodles, maybe a creamy sauce or tangy marinara. Even Jack, our resident meat and cheese lover, will go back for seconds—even thirds—of these vegan pasta recipes.
So the next time you’re craving something comforting and delicious, check out the recipes below! They include many vegan pasta dishes that are quick, easy, and perfect for busy weeknights and a few that take more time, making them ideal for weekend or special occasion cooking. Some are creamy, some are hearty, and others are vibrant and fresh. I hope you find one (or more) you love!
Creamy Vegan Pasta Recipes
Who says you need dairy to make a rich and creamy pasta? In these vegan pasta recipes, plant-based ingredients like cashews, cauliflower, and butternut squash blend into smooth, velvety pasta sauces.
Vegan Fettuccine Alfredo
Cashews, cauliflower, and a splash of pasta water give this vegan Alfredo sauce its to-die-for creamy texture. Make it for a regular weeknight dinner, or pair it with your favorite wine for a classy date night-in.
Creamy Pasta Pomodoro
Serve this pasta with crusty bread for mopping up any stray sauce on your plate. It’s so creamy and flavorful—you won’t want to miss a single bite!
Tagliatelle with Asparagus and Peas
This recipe perfectly walks the line between comforting and fresh. I toss the pasta with a light cashew cream sauce and spring veggies like asparagus and peas. Then, I garnish the whole dish with a shower of fresh herbs. Heads up: you’ll need to use egg-free pasta to keep this recipe vegan.
Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta
This vegan pasta might look like mac and cheese, but it tastes like something else entirely. Roasted squash, roasted garlic, shallots, and fresh sage fill the sauce with delicious sweet and savory flavor.
All About the Herbs
Herbs like basil and parsley pack these vegan pasta recipes with fresh flavor.
Easy Pesto Pasta
Whizz up a batch of vegan pesto while the pasta cooks, and dinner will be ready in under 30 minutes.
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
This pantry-friendly recipe is a staple in our weeknight rotation. Simple ingredients like parsley, garlic, olive oil, and red pepper flakes create its rich flavor. Sprinkle it with my quick vegan Parmesan to take it over the top.
Vegan Riffs on Mac & Cheese
The whole family will go crazy for these “cheesy” vegan pasta recipes!
Vegan Mac and Cheese
If you were to taste this gooey, “cheesy” vegan pasta, you’d never guess that it’s totally dairy-free! It’s every bit as creamy and crave-worthy as classic mac and cheese, but it’s made with plant-based ingredients like sweet potatoes, cashews, and nutritional yeast.
Creamy Vegan Pasta
White beans—not cashews (or, you know, cheese)—create this pasta’s creamy sauce, which gives it a nice boost of plant-based protein. Lemon juice, nutritional yeast, and onion powder round out its bright, savory flavor.
“Meaty” Vegan Pasta Recipes
Love your noodles with hearty veggie balls or a satisfying ragù? These vegan pasta recipes are the ones for you.
Lentil Pasta
Cooked lentils add hearty texture to this pasta’s flavorful tomato sauce—and they pack it with protein too. This plant-based pasta has 26 grams per serving!
Plant-Based Spaghetti and Meatballs
I have two vegan meatball options for you! Make them with your favorite plant-based ground meat, or use a mix of brown rice, black beans, and mushrooms instead. Both versions are fantastic in this comforting, homey pasta recipe.
Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe
Plant-based sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, and caramelized onions add rich, savory flavor to this restaurant-worthy pasta.
Spaghetti Bolognese
A mix of lentils, mushrooms, and walnuts subs in for the meat in this vegan version of a classic bolognese.
More Vegan Pasta Recipes to Try
I have two more favorite vegan pasta recipes to share with you. One is a briny Italian classic, and the other is a comforting plant-based spin on stuffed shells.
Pasta Puttanesca
Capers, olives, garlic, and red pepper flakes fill this classic pasta dish with bold, briny flavor. No cheese required!
Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells
I stuff these cozy stuffed shells with my spinach and tofu “ricotta,” caramelized butternut squash, and a lemony cashew cream. Readers rave about this recipe. Try it to see why!
More Favorite Vegan Recipes
Looking for more vegan recipe ideas? Check out these 85 Best Vegan Recipes, 30 Vegan Breakfast Recipes, or 30 Best Vegan Desserts next!
You shared good recipies and it helped me alot but could you share recipies of Pf chang’s dishes, you can check https://pfchngmenu.com to see complete menu
really enjoyed reading that, but I want more recipes form denny’s, you can check https://dennymenu.com to see their complete menu
Can I freeze this sauce
Hi Linda, yep! You can. Cashew sauces can sometimes separate when thawed. If this one does, reheat it gently on the stove, stirring and adding water as needed, until the sauce comes together.
great options, even if I can only eat regular pasta rarely they’re great inspiration for zucchini and butternut squash pasta swap options
This is definitely a comfort food meal while still being healthy. Win-win right! It was fairly easy to make though there was a lot of pots and blenders to wash afterwards–but totally worth it. I pretty much followed the recipe, except I used jarred roasted artichokes instead of the canned cherry tomatoes since that was what I had on hand. I also found that letting the blender run on low for a couple of minutes after adding the pasta water really got those cashews smooth and gave the sauce a really creamy texture. So very delicious! Definitely special enough to serve to guests.
Hi Cathe, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!