Pasta is a staple in many American diets. According to the International Pasta Organization (yes, that’s a thing), 86% of Americans consume pasta at least once a week. But what about vegans? For plant-based eaters and those following a vegan lifestyle, pasta is generally part of your weekly cooking rotation, especially if you fancy delicious vegan cheese – they just go together, right? Noodle on these pasta-tively fun bites about pasta and become a vegan pasta recipes pro with Vevan!
What kind of pasta can a vegan eat?
While the origins of pasta are a little unclear, the word pasta comes from the Italian word for paste, as its main ingredients are flour and water. Thus, vegans can eat most dried, boxed pastas found in the grocery store. Of course, it’s important to read the labels to be sure, to avoid ingredients like eggs. Eggs are often found only in fresh pasta, but can also be used in dried pasta types like garganelli, tagliatelle, pappardelle, and sometimes farfalle, as well as the obvious egg noodles! Popular pasta brands like Barilla are generally vegan, save their oven-ready lasagne noodles and non-dairy cheese-filled tortellini – again, all ingredients are clearly marked on the label.
Can vegans eat homemade pasta? As noted above, fresh pasta often contains eggs, as they help with texture and pliability. Of course, there are egg-free homemade vegan pasta recipes to be found, proving you can have your pasta and eat it too!
What about vegan pasta sauce?
Once you find a noodle that works for you and your dietary needs, it’s time to dress it up a bit. When it comes to pasta sauces, there are SO many options! But which ones are vegan?
- Red sauces – traditionally red sauces are tomato-based, as well as plant-based, and contain no animal derived ingredients. But just as with pasta, do read store-bought sauce labels to double check, as some like vodka and bolognese sauces contain dairy and animal products. Often marinara is a safe choice, or just whip up your own vegan and gluten-free marinara in just 20 minutes!
- White sauces – the main ingredient in white sauces? Dairy! If you’re looking for jarred alfredo sauce, you’ll likely need to head to a specialty store or read labels very closely. Our pick? Try our amazing dairy-free cheese sauce recipe, ready in just minutes. We recommend using our Mozza-Shred, adding just water or alternative milk and heat for a magical cheesy vegan pasta sauce.
- Pesto sauces – Parmesan or Romano cheese is a common ingredient in most store-bought pesto sauces, i.e. not vegan. If you have a hankering for the green stuff, definitely do your research to ensure no animal products are used, and your best bet may be making your own vegan pesto!
How to make your own delicious vegan pasta recipes
Let’s not get lost in the sauce! As world-class artisan cheesemakers, Vevan has created what you truly need for your vegan pasta recipes – vegan cheese! Get past-a your fears about how to prep mouthwatering meals, and head to the kitchen to try out one of these easy vegan pasta recipes:
- Fettuccini Alfredo – dinner for four in under 30 minutes? Yes, please! This vegan twist on a classic favorite incorporates mushrooms, pearl onions and peas, plus lots of fresh spices and our Vevan Mozza-Shred for that authentic flavor you know and love.
- Spinach, Mushroom and Roasted Garlic Lasagna – this vegan lasagna recipe is layer upon layer of melty, cheesy goodness that will bring you smile after smile with each bite.
- Buffalo Cauliflower Chickpea Bake – vegan baked pasta? We got you! Built on the bold flavor of our Vevan Ched-Shred, this protein-rich dish brings the heat. This crowd pleaser may just earn a spot in your weekly rotation.
- Savory Vegan Mac-N-Cheese – and last but not least, our beloved vegan mac-n-cheese! With just a handful of ingredients and so many ways to change it up, this versatile dish makes even the least experienced cooks into dinnertime heroes!
Vegan Pasta Recipes – More Veggies, Please!
What the zoodle? Trending over the past few years have been zucchini noodles, which can be purchased in the produce section, and often even frozen produce section, of the grocery store. What a perfect way for those on a plant-based diet – and really any diet – to get more veggies into their day and onto their plate! These are a wonderful substitute for store-bought dry pastas.
You can also make your own veggie noodles with your favorite spiralizer and some fresh-from-the-garden picks in the summer – zucchini, summer squash, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, and even eggplant will work!
Love veggies but feeling less adventurous? There are several veggie pasta options in the pasta aisle – made from multiple vegetable types (normally just called “veggie”), to soybeans, spinach, lentils and more. Consider swapping these into one of the awesome vegan pasta recipes above for a healthier, and often more flavorful, option!
What’s your favorite vegan pasta recipe?
Whether you test out one of the recipes we shared or invent one of your own using one of our perfect pasta partner vegan cheeses, be sure to share your favorite ones and tag us @vevanfoods.
Find more pasta and plant-based inspirations, check out all of our recipes on our website and Pinterest.
Pasta la vista, baby!
