Print

Creamy Vegan Vegetable Pasta Recipe

4.4 from 89 reviews

This creamy veggie pasta is a quick and easy vegan dish that combines a variety of sautéed vegetables with a rich, dairy-free sour cream sauce. Perfectly cooked pasta is tossed in a luscious sauce made from vegan sour cream and nutritional yeast, offering a comforting meal packed with wholesome vegetables. Ready in just 20 minutes, this versatile recipe can be customized with whatever veggies you have on hand, making it a family-friendly favorite.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 1 (16 oz.) package pasta, any shape

Vegetables

  • 2 cups zucchini, chopped
  • 2 cups broccoli, chopped
  • 1 cup mushrooms (8 oz container, washed and sliced)
  • 1 cup bell peppers, chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
  • 3 cups baby spinach

Sauce and Seasoning

  • 3 tablespoons light olive oil or any neutral-flavored oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon Italian herbs
  • 1 1/2 cups vegan sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast (optional)
  • 1 cup pasta water or vegetable broth, divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper or red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Boil the 16-ounce package of pasta in salted water according to the package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving some pasta water for later.
  2. Prepare Vegetables and Garlic: While the pasta cooks, in a large frying pan or wok, warm 3 tablespoons of light olive oil over the lowest heat setting. Add the minced garlic and gently infuse the oil as you wash and chop 6-8 cups of vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Sauté Vegetables: Add the chopped zucchini, broccoli, mushrooms, and bell peppers to the pan. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of Italian herbs. Increase the heat to medium and sauté the veggies for about 6-8 minutes until they darken in color and become tender.
  4. Add Remaining Veggies: Stir in the cherry tomatoes and baby spinach. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until the spinach wilts, blending all the vegetables together.
  5. Make the Cream Sauce: Pour in 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water and add 1 1/2 cups of vegan sour cream along with 1 tablespoon of nutritional yeast (if using). Stir well to combine, then gradually add the remaining 1/2 cup of pasta water until the sauce reaches your desired creamy consistency. Bring to a gentle boil.
  6. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Turn off the heat and add the drained cooked pasta to the pan. Toss gently until the pasta is thoroughly coated with the creamy vegetable sauce.
  7. Season and Serve: Adjust seasoning by adding black pepper or red pepper flakes to taste. Serve the creamy veggie pasta hot immediately for the best creamy texture.

Notes

  • Serve the pasta immediately; it is at its creamiest when hot.
  • The sauce may seem watery at first but thickens as it cools slightly.
  • If using homemade vegan sour cream, cashew cream, or coconut cream, reduce the amount of pasta water needed accordingly.
  • A squeeze of fresh lemon juice added at the end brightens up the flavors.
  • To make gluten-free, simply substitute with gluten-free pasta and slightly undercook it to avoid mushiness.
  • Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 3-5 days or frozen for up to 3 months; reheat gently.

Keywords: vegan creamy pasta, vegetable pasta recipe, dairy-free pasta, quick vegan dinner, gluten-free vegan pasta, healthy pasta recipe