10 Best Plant-Based Pastas

Pasta, the ultimate comfort food, is almost universally adored. It has an uncanny knack for filling our hearts and bellies with comfort. But sometimes it comes with negative connotations. What if we told you that pasta doesn’t have to be a guilty pleasure? In fact, it can be a great way to get creative in the kitchen, up your veggie intake and get lots of goodness into a meal.

Our top ten, all-time favourite plant-based pasta recipes will make you fall in love with pasta all over again. From speedy quick fixes to something more indulgent, we’ve got your cravings covered. These dishes are a celebration of flavour, vegetables, and the art of simple cooking.

I doubt you need any convincing, but here are 5 reasons why you should dive into the world of plant-based pastas.

1. Versatility

Pasta, beyond its comforting familiarity, is versatile. It's the ideal canvas for different flavours and textures. Our Creamy Broccoli Pasta, for example, marries rigatoni with a silky cashew-based sauce, showcasing how plant-based ingredients can elevate a simple dish. This versatility sets the stage for culinary exploration, as seen in our Pesto Lasagne, a masterpiece that layers fresh ingredients with creamy white sauce, all nestled between sheets of lasagne.

2. Quick, Wholesome Meals

In today's fast-paced world, we crave quick, wholesome meals that don't compromise on flavour. Our Creamy Pea & Spinach Pasta is a testament to this need: rich in flavour and nutritional value, it be whipped up in no time. It's a reminder that plant-based pasta is your ally on busy weeknights, offering nourishing meals that satiate both the soul and stomach.

3. Layers of Flavour

Pasta is not just about sustenance; it's about the layers of flavour that build upon each other. Our Pesto Lasagne, for instance, is a truly delicious dish. The smooth and creamy white sauce harmoniously contrasts with the vibrant green pesto, all beautifully layered between sheets of lasagne. This one's a true showstopper, especially when served with steamed greens.

4. Comfort Food

Winter evenings call for comfort, and plant-based pasta provides just that. Take our Creamy Cauliflower Pasta, for example. Sautéed cauliflower leaves add a fresh, green dimension, while the creaminess keeps you warm and satisfied. We can’t forget our Ultimate Mac & Cheese. It's the epitome of comfort on a plate, a dish that invites you to savour every bite while bringing back those nostalgic memories.

5. Healthy Eating

Looking to boost your iron intake while enjoying a tasty meal? The One-Pan Creamy Spinach Pasta is just one of your answers. It provides over 40% of your daily recommended iron intake and over 50% of your vitamin C, enhancing iron absorption. This means that in just 15 minutes, you get a creamy, iron-rich pasta that's as healthy as it is delicious.

Conclusion: Celebrating Plant-Based Pasta

Pasta, often vilified for its carb content, doesn't have to be a guilty pleasure. These plant-based pasta recipes not only satisfy your cravings but also nourish your body with wholesome ingredients. They prove that pasta can be loved, not avoided. So, go ahead, whip up one of these delicious dishes, and savour every bite. With a wide variety of flavours and textures, plant-based pasta will make you appreciate the versatility of this timeless comfort food like never before.

Crispy Sage, Garlic & Courgette Pasta
Mains
20 mins

Crispy Sage, Garlic & Courgette Pasta

With crispy sage, loads of garlic, a little lemon and a spoonful of creamy coconut yoghurt, this veggie-packed pasta is full of flavour. It’s quick, easy and healthy — ideal for a simple midweek supper.

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Roasted Red Pepper Orzo
Mains
15 mins

Roasted Red Pepper Orzo

When it comes to easy comfort food for busy days, this pasta dish is a weeknight winner — the sweet roasted peppers combined with soft orzo, make it supremely satisfying, plus it's packed full of flavour. If you don't have orzo, simply swap for risotto rice or pearl barley.

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Creamy Broccoli Pasta
Mains
15 mins

Creamy Broccoli Pasta

This silky, smooth cashew-based sauce with rigatoni and fresh vegetables makes for a simple, comforting midweek supper. It has less than 10 ingredients, takes just 15 minutes and the leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days.

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Pesto Lasagne
Mains
50 mins

Pesto Lasagne

We love this plant-based pesto lasagne because it combines simple, fresh ingredients to create a masterpiece of flavour, packed full of veggies. The smooth and creamy white sauce sits perfectly on top of the thick green pesto, layered between sheets of lasagne - it’s all about the layers in this dish! We top it with nutritional yeast which gives it that crisp golden top when it’s baked to perfection, and love to serve it alongside some extra steamed greens.

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Creamy Cauliflower Pasta
Mains
25 mins

Creamy Cauliflower Pasta

This bowl of creamy pasta is a delicious winter warmer. Cauliflower leaves sauteed in olive oil add a fresh green flavour and cut back on kitchen waste.

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Creamy Pea & Spinach Pasta
Mains
12 mins

Creamy Pea & Spinach Pasta

This pea and spinach pasta is the perfect solution for a quick and easy weeknight dinner — it takes just 12 minutes to put together; uses only 6 ingredients; you don't need to chop anything, plus there’s very little washing up.

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Creamy Tomato Pasta Bake
Mains
35 mins

Creamy Tomato Pasta Bake

Tomato pasta meets mac and cheese? Yes please. Sun-dried tomatoes are simmered with oregano, balsamic and garlic, then tossed through pasta, topped with vegan white sauce and finished with a lovely layer of crispy breadcrumbs — a winning combination. This easy weeknight supper is the ultimate comfort food.

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One-Pan Creamy Spinach Pasta
Mains
15 mins

One-Pan Creamy Spinach Pasta

It’s hard to resist a creamy pasta that's ready in just 15 minutes. This green beauty also boasts over 40% of your recommended daily iron intake and over 50% of your vitamin C (which helps to improve the amount of iron that the body absorbs).

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Creamy Mushroom Orzo
Mains
40 mins

Creamy Mushroom Orzo

A little like risotto but much quicker to make, orzo makes a delicious, quick dinner. The dried porcini mushrooms add depth and richness, while the coconut milk makes it wonderfully creamy. Serve it in the centre of the table with a simple green salad and plenty of black pepper.

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The Ultimate Mac & Cheese
Mains
35 mins

The Ultimate Mac & Cheese

This recipe is the ultimate plant-based version of mac & cheese. Macaroni pasta is mixed through a creamy mustardy white sauce with chopped spinach. Sprinkled with breadcrumbs and nutritional yeast, it's then baked in the oven to create an irresistibly crispy topping.

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