30 best vegan pasta recipes for easy weeknight dinners when you’re craving carbs

Author: Rachel Smith

Nothing beats a bowl of vegan pasta when you're craving carbs! These vegan pasta recipes are perfect for those days when only pasta will do.


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Nothing beats a big bowl of vegan pasta when you’re craving carbs! These flavoursome and easy-to-make vegan pasta recipes are perfect for those days when only pasta will do.

When it comes to comforting dinners that are quick and easy to make, full of flavour, and super satisfying – few things hit the spot quite like a big bowl of vegan pasta.

From saucy spaghetti dishes and dairy-free lasagne to vegan macaroni and cheese, there are endless ways to get creative with vegan pasta recipes.

Whether you’re looking for easy vegan pasta recipes that can be rustled up in minutes or more elaborate fresh vegan pasta dinners, here is our pick of the best vegan pasta recipes for midweek meals.

Is pasta vegan?

Pasta is generally vegan, but it’s essential to check the ingredients, especially for fresh pasta which may not be suitable for vegans. This is because traditional fresh pasta dough typically includes eggs in the ingredients, making it non-vegan.

However, vegan alternatives can easily be found or made using ingredients like semolina flour and water. Dried pasta and spaghetti found in supermarkets is typically vegan-friendly as it’s made from semolina flour and water.

One product to watch out for however is dried lasagne sheets. Although many are suitable for vegans as they are simply made from wheat and water, some dried lasagne sheets do contain eggs so they are not suitable for vegans.

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1. Classic Vegan Lasagne

It’s hard to beat a lasagne served with a side of garlic bread when you get a craving for comfort food. Thankfully, it’s simple to make a meat-free lasagne that tastes even better than the original. This veggie lasagne recipe even shows you how to make both vegan béchamel sauce and vegan mozzarella cheese.

Grab a glass of wine and spend a blissful afternoon in the kitchen making this lovely lasagne this autumn. We promise it’s worth the effort.

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2. Easy Vegan Mac and Cheese

When you fancy comfort food, nothing hits the spot quite like vegan mac and cheese. It’s carby, cheesy, crunchy and one of those vegan recipes the whole family will love.

This easy vegan mac and cheese recipe is the best we’ve tried as it’s topped with an irresistible layer of breadcrumbs and chives for texture. Plus, it’s healthier than the classic dish as we’ve swapped the cheese for cashews and nutritional yeast.

Vegan Mac & Cheese

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3. Jackfruit Vegan “Tuna” and Sweetcorn Pasta Salad

Shredded jackfruit has a very similar texture to tuna so. is the perfect for replacement when you want your tuna pasta fix. Red onions and sweetcorn add fresh flavours and crunchy textures to this vegan pasta salad that’s delicious served hot or cold.

Vegan Jackfruit ‘Tuna’ and Sweetcorn Pasta Salad

4. Vegan Cannelloni with Spinach & Almond Ricotta

This spinach and almond ricotta cannelloni is filled with almond ricotta and tomato basil sauce and baked to perfection until the cashew cheese sauces bubbles and browns.

Vegan Cannelloni with Spinach & Almond Ricotta

5. Vegan Cavatelli Arrabbiata

Try your hand at making your own homemade vegan pasta with this vegan cavatelli arrabbiata dish. Their simple shapes means they’re much easier to make, and you don’t even need a pasta maker to make them.
Vegan Cavatelli Arrabbiata

6. Italian Carbonara with ‘Bacon’

This recipe is official proof that anything can be made vegan – even the traditional Italian dish of carbonara.

Our vegan carbonara recipe is full of beautifully creamy flavours mixed with the taste of smoky vegan bacon to really recreate the classic dish.

Vegan Italian carbonara with bacon

7. Homemade Vegan Spinach Ravioli

There’s something so satisfying about making your own pasta from scratch. These small parcels of ravioli are filled with spinach and mushrooms, which are ever so fun to roll and create.

Impress your guests and serve these at your next dinner party.

Homemade Vegan Spinach Ravioli

8. Vegan Tempeh Bolognese

This hearty vegan bolognese is full of classic flavours and swaps mince for tempeh to make a satisfying mince alternative that’s high in protein.

Vegan tempeh bolognese

9. Creamy Garlic Gnocchi with Walnut Pesto

If you’re in need of a comforting bowl of creamy vegan gnocchi, this is the recipe for you! This dish is such a treat, with its tangy garlic pesto and rich creamy sauce.

And the best part? You can make and enjoy a bowl in just 15 minutes!

Creamy Garlic Gnocchi with Walnut Pesto

10. Lentil Bolognese

Keep it simple with a nice and saucy vegan pasta bolognese. This recipe uses a common household food item to create a hearty vegan ragu – lentils!

This recipe takes it back to the basics, so it’s great for beginners and those who want to build up their cooking skills. As you get more comfortable, you can add extra veggies and spices to add even more flavour and texture.

vegan lentil pasta bolognese

11. Roasted Garlic Vegan Alfredo Sauce

Keep vampires at bay with this delightfully garlicky Alfredo sauce recipe.

We can’t get enough of this delightfully cheesy and garlicky sauce, and it’s simply divine when poured on top of some freshly boiled pasta. Sometimes keeping it simple is simply the best!

Roasted Garlic Vegan Alfredo Pasta Sauce Recipe

12. Creamy Vegan Mushroom Tagliatelle

Creamy pasta sauce and mushrooms are a match made in heaven and a winning combo when you’re in need of comfort food with rich flavours.

The creamy vegan pasta sauce gets its powerful umami flavour from soy sauce-infused dried mushrooms, while silken tofu gives the sauce a thick and velvety texture.

Creamy Vegan Mushroom Tagliatelle

13. Baked Vegan Pasta Bolognese

Now, this is the vegan pasta dish to create if you’re looking to impress. A completely meat-free pasta bolognese is guaranteed to fill you up, and learn how to create a delicious vegan ragu from plant-based ingredients.

vegan pasta bolognese

14. Vegan Orecchiette with Pesto, Broccoli and Kale

This rich and creamy vegan pasta recipe is loaded up with veggies and ready to eat in just 20 minutes. Plus, we’ve swapped out dairy cream for silken to fu to make a high-protein sauce that’s low in fat but super creamy and delicious.

Vegan Orecchiette with Pesto, Broccoli and Kale

15. Smoked Tofu & Walnut Pesto Pasta Salad

Vegan pasta salad couldn’t be simpler, and yet still absolutely delicious. This recipe is perfect for any time of year and blends together a great mix of flavours.

The tang of olives, succulent tomatoes, and a crispy slab of tofu bring this vegan pasta salad to the next level.

Smoked tofu and walnut pesto pasta salad

16. Smoked Tofu & Watercress Cannelloni

Cannelloni is an often overlooked pasta dish, but it is a wonderful dish that packs in loads of flavour.

For those who may not be familiar with this specific type of pasta, they are pasta rolls which have been filled and baked to perfection. This recipe features a tasty spinach, tofu, and watercress filling. And of course, don’t forget to sprinkle a heap of vegan cheese on top to melt into the dish.

smoked tofu and watercress cannelloni

17. Mushroom Mac ‘N’ Cheese

Mac ‘n’ cheese can be such a draw with its simple recipe and abundance of cheese. Fortunately for us, it’s really easy to make a great vegan cheesy version to enjoy.

The added feature of mushrooms adds even more texture and flavour to the well-loved dish. You’ll no doubt be going back for another serving!

vegan mushroom mac and cheese

18. Vegan Pappardelle with Fennel, Courgette & Lemon

This vegan pappardelle pasta recipe is both light and summery thanks to the fresh flavours of courgette and fennel combined with zesty lemon. it’s a simple yet elegant dish that also makes an impressive dinner party course.

Vegan Pappardelle with Fennel, Courgette & Lemon

19. Vegan Samphire & Spinach Linguine

Vegan pasta recipes don’t need to be complicated to be delicious. This simple dish features samphire to add a salty flavour with lemon and tomatoes bringing the acidity and a dash of chilli for heat.

Vegan Samphire & Spinach Linguine Pasta Recipe

20. One Pot Vegan Spaghetti Puttanesca

If you’re looking for an easy vegan dinner with minimal washing up, try this one-pot vegan spaghetti puttanesca!

With a rich tomato sauce and plenty of umami flavour, this vegan pasta dish makes a super satisfying dinner.

One Pot Vegan Spaghetti Puttanesca

21. Vegan & Gluten-Free Pasta Bolognese Bake

Buckwheat pasta is the key to making this hearty and wholesome vegan pasta bake with a crispy breadcrumb topping. It’s so simple to make and is ready to eat in just 45 minutes.

Vegan bolognese pasta bake

22. Creamy Vegan Pumpkin Pasta

This autumnal pasta is the most delicious way to make the most of pumpkin season. However, you can use canned pumpkin or even butternut squash to enjoy this dish year-round. Flavoured with garlic and sage, you can use soy or coconut cream to make this supremely creamy vegan pasta sauce.

Vegan Creamy Pumpkin Pasta

23. Spicy One-Pot Pumpkin Pasta with Chard

This vibrantly-coloured vegan pasta dinner tastes as good as it looks! Ginger gives is a deliciously warm note that makes it so inviting for a comforting dinner on a cold night. Plus, as it’s made in one pot it’s great for when you don’t feel like doing the washing up.

Spicy One-Pot Pumpkin Pasta with Chard

24. Vegan Beetroot Ravioli with Almond Ricotta & Chives

This striking magenta-coloured vegan beetroot ravioli with almond ricotta and chives makes a vibrant and delicious dinner.

Filled with creamy almond ricotta and flavoured with fresh chives, it needs nothing more than a drizzle of olive oil and some freshly cracked black pepper to finish it off.

Vegan Beetroot Ravioli with Almond Ricotta & Chives

25. Vegan Alfredo with Homemade Strichetti Pasta

This nut-free vegan Alfredo sauce uses cauliflower for a healthier alternative to the traditional cream-based sauce, not that you’d know as it tastes every bit as comforting as the original recipe.

To give it a pop of vibrant colour and a fresh flavour, we’ve added spinach and peas to this classic Italian dish. It’s a delicious way to include more veggies in your diet with ease.

Vegan Alfredo with Homemade Strichetti Pasta

26. Vegan Spinach Tagliatelle with Pesto and Sundried Tomatoes

This vegan tagliatelle has a vibrant colour and a fresh, earthy flavour thanks to the addition of spinach in the pasta dough. It’s a great way to use up any bags of spinach you have in the fridge, or if you want to pack some extra nutrients into your meals.

This simple but flavourful dish is finished with tangy sundried tomatoes and a rich vegan pesto for a made-from-scratch meal that’s easier to make than you might think. Simply follow our handy step-by-step instructions and we’ll show you how to make your own vegan pasta from scratch – without a pasta maker.

Vegan Spinach Tagliatelle with Pesto and Sundried Tomatoes

27. Vegan Potato Samosa Ravioli with Coriander Salsa

This creative recipe combines two of our favourite dishes to create a fusion of fragrant Indian flavours and satisfying Italian pasta.

The slightly spicy turmeric-infused vegan pasta pairs perfectly with the fresh coriander salsa to make a real feast for the senses. Although it might look impressive, it’s easy to make by following our simple guide.

Vegan Potato Samosa Ravioli with Coriander Salsa

28. Homemade Vegan Vegetable Pasta

Make pasta the star of the show with this colourful, vegetable-packed pasta. We’ll show you how to make your own vegan pasta from scratch using fresh vegetable purées for a vibrant colour and amazing flavour.

You can pick your favourite flavour, or make a batch of each for a vegan vegetable tricolore pasta to serve with your favourite sauce – the possibilities are endless!

Homemade Vegan Vegetable Pasta

29. Vegan Lentil Meatballs

This vegan lentil meatballs recipe is the ultimate in plant-based comfort food, and it’s easy to make in just 30 minutes.

The best thing about this easy recipe is that it’s broken down into minute-by-minute steps so even the most novice vegan chef can follow along with ease.

Vegan Lentil Meatballs

30. Vegan Pappardelle with Shredded Brussels Sprouts and Lemon

Brussels sprouts aren’t just for Christmas, they shine any time of year in this vegan pappardelle recipe. Simply seasoned and lifted with a twist of zesty lemon, this nourishing vegan pappardelle is flavourful feast that’s full of fresh flavours.

Vegan Pappardelle with Shredded Brussels Sprouts and Lemon

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Written by

Rachel Smith

Having launched the brand's digital presence in 2015, Rachel shares her love for animals and the planet through her work as Vegan Food & Living’s Digital Editor. As a passionate vegan for over ten years, Rachel loves creating delicious vegan dessert recipes for her award-winning blog, Rawberry Fields. Rachel's recipes and photography have been featured in numerous international print and digital publications including the Daily Mail, Huffington Post, Thrive, and Buzzfeed. You can follow Rachel at @rawberryfields

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