12 Vegetarian Pasta Recipes That Satisfy (2024)

  • Recipes by Diet
  • Vegetarian

By

Brierley Horton, MS, RD

12 Vegetarian Pasta Recipes That Satisfy (1)

Brierley Horton, MS, RD

Brierley Horton is a registered dietitian nutritionist and experienced independent writer and editor with 15 years experience. She previously served as Food & Nutrition Director for Cooking Light magazine and was the Nutrition Editor at EatingWell magazine for nearly a decade.

Learn about BHG's Editorial Process

Updated on October 6, 2022

Trending Videos

Whether you're looking to change up your usual pasta dinner night or want a meatless pasta dish option, our vegetarian pasta recipes are the answer. Choose something Italian-inspired, with a creamy sauce, or a hearty pasta bake, each of these recipes comes highly-recommended by home cooks. Be sure to read the ingredient lists closely and seek out vegetarian versions of items like Parmesan cheese, broths, etc. that may be meatless but not necessarily vegetarian-friendly.

01of 12

Cheesy Baked Gnocchi with Kale

View Recipe

12 Vegetarian Pasta Recipes That Satisfy (2)

Creamy, cheesy, and studded with good-for-you kale, this pasta bake recipe is a cozy dinner for vegetarians and flexitarians. We simplify the prep and call for premade gnocchi, and you could make it even easier by using washed, bagged, trimmed kale.

02of 12

Meatless Lasagna Pie

View Recipe

Turn classic lasagna on its head with our mile-high layers of noodles, vegetables, and cheesy goodness. Look for vegetarian Parmesan, or choose another hard, aged vegetarian cheese to substitute. A springform pan helps this impressive vegetarian recipe keep its form.

Our Best Lasagna Recipes That Deliver Layers and Layers of Flavor

03of 12

Butternut Squash Bake

View Recipe

12 Vegetarian Pasta Recipes That Satisfy (4)

If you love a vegetarian lasagna but want to shake it up a bit, this creamy pasta bake is for you. Mascarpone (a mild, soft, butter-like cheese), panko breadcrumbs, and butternut squash all come together to elevate this vegetarian pasta dinner.

04of 12

Orecchiette with Creamed Corn, Tomatoes, and Arugula

View Recipe

12 Vegetarian Pasta Recipes That Satisfy (5)

Sweet corn, grape tomatoes, and arugula add bright flavor to this quick vegetarian pasta recipe. A creamy yet light sauce rounds out this easy pasta recipe. Look for a vegetarian-friendly Parmesan and skip the Pecorino Romano.

05of 12

Roasted Vegetable Lasagna

View Recipe

12 Vegetarian Pasta Recipes That Satisfy (6)

Meat lovers won't miss the meat in this savory veggie-packed lasagna recipe—hello mushrooms, zucchini, and carrots! Plus, it's deliciously cheesy thanks to cottage cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan (though be sure to seek out vegetarian-friendly cheeses).

06of 12

Lemon-Basil Pasta

View Recipe

12 Vegetarian Pasta Recipes That Satisfy (7)

Sometimes pasta is synonymous with simple. And boy does this vegetarian pasta dinner recipe deliver! It calls for only five ingredients and the delicious sauce is just lemon, basil, and olive oil.

Delicious Instant Pot Vegetarian Recipes

Smoky Mushroom Stroganoff

View Recipe

12 Vegetarian Pasta Recipes That Satisfy (8)

Meaty mushrooms in an easy-to-make creamy sauce top egg noodles for a hearty vegetarian twist on a classic Italian favorite. This vegetarian pasta recipe is healthy and quick—and comes together in under 20 minutes.

Quick and Easy Vegetarian Dinners to Try Tonight

08of 12

Cauliflower Gnocchi

View Recipe

12 Vegetarian Pasta Recipes That Satisfy (9)

This vegetarian pasta recipe not only capitalizes on the cauliflower trend, but also ups your veggie count thanks to a combination of potato and cauliflower in the gnocchi. To make sure this recipe is truly vegetarian, look for a vegetarian Parmesan cheese.

09of 12

Cheesy Shell-Stuffed Shells

View Recipe

12 Vegetarian Pasta Recipes That Satisfy (10)

Forgo your regular mac and cheese for this over-the-top spin on the fan-favorite pasta dish. This creamy vegetarian pasta recipe stuffs cheesy mini shells inside jumbo shells and covers it in a creamy tomato-vodka sauce.

These Top Mac and Cheese Recipes Are Gooey Perfection

10of 12

Fettuccine Alfredo with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Veggies

View Recipe

12 Vegetarian Pasta Recipes That Satisfy (11)

We took this classic creamy Italian vegetarian pasta recipe and cranked it up a notch. Adding Brussels sprouts, asparagus, broccoli, and sun-dried tomatoes make this Alfredo pasta dish anything but basic. Bonus: You can pull the impressive dish together in just 15 minutes.

11of 12

Vegetable-Polenta Lasagna

View Recipe

12 Vegetarian Pasta Recipes That Satisfy (12)

This delicious vegetarian lasagna full of fresh and flavorful veggies has a twist: Instead of noodles, try using polenta, an Italian cornmeal commonly used in northern Italy.

12of 12

Butternut Squash Lasagna

View Recipe

12 Vegetarian Pasta Recipes That Satisfy (13)

This creamy vegetarian pasta bake is a dinner recipe the whole family will love. Tender butternut squash joins deliciously with fresh rosemary, cream, and Parmesan cheese (a vegetarian one, of course)—and no-boil noodles keep prep time a little shorter.

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Tell us why!

12 Vegetarian Pasta Recipes That Satisfy (2024)

FAQs

What type of pasta can vegetarians eat? ›

The best pasta dishes for vegetarians focus on vegetables such as pasta primavera, ravioli, tortellini, or pasta with plain tomato sauce, which are all Italian dishes that are vegetarian.

What can I put in pasta if I don't have anything? ›

Garlic butter is a terrific way to season all types of noodles. Simply melt butter and sprinkle in some garlic powder. Toss your spaghetti or favorite type of pasta in this delightful mixture to create a filling and appetizing meal.

How to add protein to pasta without meat? ›

Some of the best sources in the plant world include beans, legumes, lentils, soy like tofu or edamame, seeds and nuts and some whole grains like quinoa. Certain vegetables also contain small amounts of protein like zucchini, kale and collards (think leafy greens).

What veggies go well in pasta? ›

Vegetables: I add over 1 ½ pounds of veggies to this pasta recipe and love a combination of zucchini, yellow squash, jarred roasted red peppers, and spinach. Other veggies work, like peas, corn, cauliflower, and cabbage.

What is the best protein to add to pasta? ›

Chicken is an incredibly versatile protein that can work with any kind of sauce or flavor palette. Chicken in a rich, creamy, pasta works perfectly, but so does some cut-up chicken in a red sauce. No matter what kind of pasta you are making, some chopped chicken is a perfect addition.

What to eat when you only have pasta? ›

Cook any shape of pasta and drain. In a separate pan, heat tomato sauce, sliced black or green olives, and rinsed capers (and if you don't have olives or capers, you can simply use one or the other). Toss the pasta in the sauce and serve. Optional: Add canned tuna or other canned fish to the tomato sauce.

What is the best plant-based protein to add to pasta? ›

Mixing cannellini beans or chickpeas, or any type of bean for that matter, into your noodle dishes can help add 6 to 8 grams of protein per 1/2-cup serving. Not only are you getting plant-based protein by embracing beans, but you're also getting a dose of fiber and important vitamins like folate.

Which vegetable is high in protein? ›

Some vegetables that have high amounts of protein include Brussels sprouts, green beans, yellow sweet corn, asparagus, broccoli, and potatoes.

How to sneak more protein into pasta? ›

One of the easiest (and most obvious) ways to add some protein to your go-to pasta dish is to throw some meat in the mix. Both ground turkey and ground beef can be used to make some flavorful meatballs, as evidenced by this baked spaghetti dish and this meal that gives turkey a chance to shine, respectively.

What is a good substitute for ground beef in pasta? ›

Ground Turkey

This beef substitute is a fantastic choice to select when you're looking to add more protein to your menu. As a bonus, it's also cheaper than ground beef. Enjoy it in pasta, meat sauces, and anything else that would typically call for ground beef.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Delena Feil

Last Updated:

Views: 5684

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (45 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Delena Feil

Birthday: 1998-08-29

Address: 747 Lubowitz Run, Sidmouth, HI 90646-5543

Phone: +99513241752844

Job: Design Supervisor

Hobby: Digital arts, Lacemaking, Air sports, Running, Scouting, Shooting, Puzzles

Introduction: My name is Delena Feil, I am a clean, splendid, calm, fancy, jolly, bright, faithful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.