Here is a collection of 40 Best PASTA RECIPES loaded up with fresh, healthy veggies! All are vegetarian, and many are vegan (or vegan-adaptable). Scroll down to the recipe card for a refresher on “How to cook Pasta”!
Whether you are looking for summer pasta recipes, easy pasta recipes, vegan pasta recipes, pasta salad recipes, or hearty pasta dishes, we have you covered!
If you’ve been a subscriber to the blog, you’ll probably already know this little trick we do here. Most of the pasta recipes you’ll find are veggie-rich, vegetarian or vegan and contain more veggies by weight and volume than actual pasta!
And here’s why: Vibrant seasonal veggies contain so many healthy nutrients, much more than pasta, and yet pasta, bless its delicious heart, becomes the perfect carrier for these beauties. A little pasta goes a long way!
In a nutshell: More veggies and less pasta!
Our 40 Best PASTA RECIPES!
Creamy Orecchiette Pasta w/ Creamy Carrot Miso Sauce
A simple delicious vegan pasta recipe for Orecchiette Pasta with Creamy Carrot Miso Sauce, topped with a Carrot Top Gremolata (optional) and Toasted Bread Crumbs. Flavorful and healthy!
Roasted Eggplant Lasagna
Made with extra eggplant, no-boil noodles and topped with Arugula Pesto. A delicious, healthy vegetarian dinner recipe that is comforting and nourishing. Vegan-adaptable!
Creamy Vegan Pea Pasta
The vegan pasta is made with a creamy, luscious pea sauce. A fast and easy 30-minute vegan dinner recipe you’ll fall in love with!
Greek Pasta Salad
This healthy Greek Pasta Salad is the perfect make-ahead pasta salad for summertime picnics, bbqs, potlucks and easy dinners. A hearty ratio of fresh veggies combined with tender orzo pasta, chickpeas tossed in the tastiest Greek salad dressing.
Tuna Pasta with Olive Tapenade & Fresh Tomatoes
Tuna Pasta with Olive Tapenade & Fresh Tomatoes is a super fast, fresh pasta dish that is full of bright clean and savory flavors. An easy meal ready in 30 minutes! Healthy, quick and delicious!
Veggie Lo Mein!
On the table in under 20 minutes! Loaded up with healthy veggies, this VEGAN dinner recipe is fast and easy, perfect for busy weeknights!
Fregola Pasta with Corn, Zucchini and Basil
Fregola with Corn, Zucchini and Basil, sprinkled with pecorino. A fast and easy Italian-inspired meal that comes together in 30 minutes. Make this vegan with vegan parmesan!
Charred Asparagus Kale Pasta
Made with a creamy Cannellini Bean Leek Sauce. This healthy, spring, vegan pasta recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes!
Broccoli Manicotti
A cozy homemade vegetarian meal that can be made ahead! Perfect for weeknight dinners or the holiday table this baked pasta dish is loaded up with healthy broccoli, and made with “no boil” pasta.
Pasta w/ Broccolini, Preserved Lemon & Chickpeas
This simple Pasta with Broccolini, Preserved Lemon and Chickpeas is punchy and bright and comes together quickly and easily – on the table in under 30 minutes! A tasty, healthy weeknight dinner!
Butternut Lasagna
Butternut Lasagna with Wild Mushrooms and Sage– a delicious vegetarian or vegan main dish, filled with healthy veggies-perfect for the holiday table or Sunday supper. Can be made ahead! A crowd pleaser!
Roasted Cauliflower Pasta
Made with Toasted Walnuts, Garlic, Parsley and Lemon! This vegan pasta is one of my pasta dinners! It’s hearty without leaving you feeling heavy. So much goodness happening here! Trust me!
Kale & Walnut Pesto Noodles!
These soba noodles are tossed in the most flavorful “Superfood” Walnut Pesto and then loaded up with fresh crunchy veggies. A fresh and healthy pasta salad recipe that is perfect for lunch or dinner.
Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad
This summery Pasta Salad is the perfect make ahead salad. Pasta is tossed with cherry tomatoes, baby mozzarella, olives & fresh basil in a Creamy Pesto Dressing. Vegan, gluten-free adaptable!
Orecchiette with Broccoli Sauce
A simple, humble vegetarian pasta recipe loaded up with so much broccoli it literally melts down into a sauce. Originally from Tuscany, this hearty dinner satisfies. One of the most popular pasta recipes on the blog!
Mushroom Baked Ziti with Spinach
A simple, flavorful no-boil Mushroom Baked Ziti with Spinach and Ricotta (or sub tofu ricotta) that can be made in one pan and requires no pre-boiling of pasta. Perfect for weeknight dinners!
Chinese Sesame Noodles
Flavorful Chinese Sesame Noodles, loaded up with healthy veggies and tossed in the most delicious, creamy, vegan Sesame Sauce! Make this vegan pasta in 20 minutes flat! Keep it vegan or add chicken- up to you!
Vegan Artichoke Mushroom Pasta
This vegan mushroom pasta is one of my favorites! Made with roasted sunchokes and a creamy vegan artichoke heart sauce (use canned or frozen artichoke hearts) that can be made in 30 minutes! Delicious, healthy, nut-free, and totally vegan.
Singapore Noodles
Stir-fried rice noodles with curry, tofu, and vegetables—a Chinese take out menu classic – easy recipe, vegetarian and full of authentic flavor!
Bucatini Pasta with Arugula Pesto and Heirloom Tomatoes
This summer pasta recipe can be made in under 30 minutes. A delicious vegan pasta recipe that has a secret ingredient to boost its flavor! Make this when tomatoes are in season!
Beet Poke Noodle Salad
A delicious vegan make-ahead salad that can be served over greens, rice or in this case soba noodles!
Date Night Vegan Alfredo
Another vegan pasta recipe, perfect for date night! Tossed in a delicious cashew (or hemp) cream, with sauteed mushrooms, Meyer lemon zest and a secret ingredient that gives this extra complexity and depth. Can be made in under 30 minutes!
Orzo Pasta with Asparagus, Lemon and Dill
This lemony Orzo Pasta with Asparagus can be served warm as a quick flavorful entree or chilled as a side salad. Keep it vegan or add feta!
Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Sauce and Basil
This simple summer pasta recipe is one of my favorites when tomatoes are ripe and juicy and fresh! Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Sauce and Basil – a quick, healthy weeknight dinner that features fresh summer tomatoes that can be made in 20 mins flat! Add cheese or keep it totally vegan!
Thai Noodle Salad with the BEST EVER Peanut Sauce
A vegan pasta recipe loaded up with healthy veggies like cabbage carrots, bell pepper, scallions and tossed in the most flavorful peanut sauce eeeeeeeeeever! You’ll want to lick your plate, it’s that good! Vegan & Gluten-Free
Summer Pasta Salad w/ Zucchini, Corn and Cilantro Pesto
This summer pasta salad recipe is made with gluten-free rice noodles and loaded up with healthy summer veggies, then tossed in the most flavorful Cilantro Pesto…. deliciously addicting! Vegan and Gluten-free!
Nettle Pesto Pasta
Made with toasted pine nuts and lemon zest. This pasta is tossed in iron-rich nettle pesto. Full of so many nutrients and so delicious!
Roasted Spaghetti Squash with Eggplant Puttanesca Sauce
A rich, robust vegetarian meal that is low in carbs, keto and gluten-free! Easy and simple. The spaghetti squash is the “pasta” here!
Vegan Lasagna Bolognese
This vegan lasagna is so good! Made with a robust mushroom-spinach bolognese sauce, fresh basil, vegan ricotta and no-boil lasagna noodles, topped off with a creamy marinara sauce, drizzled with Arugula Basil Pesto. Vegan comfort food at its best!
Avocado Linguine
Creamy (VEGAN) Avocado Linguine with Meyer Lemon and Arugula- a simple, fast healthy vegan pasta recipe!
Garlicky Cruciferous Pasta
A simple vegan pasta recipe loaded with shredded cruciferous vegetables like brussel sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower with garlic, lemon zest and chili flakes. Trader Joe’s carries a packaged “Cruciferous Mix” that is already shredded, making this dinner even more easy and fast!
Roasted Spaghetti Squash with Mushrooms, Garlic and Sage
A flavorful and healthy low-carb meal that feels like a comforting pasta dish! Perfect for fall! Keep it vegan or add grated Romano cheese!
Farmer’s Market Veggie Pasta
A vegan pasta recipe with zucchini, corn, black beans, and cherry tomatoes! Keep it vegan or add feta cheese. Serve this warm for dinner and save the rest for weekday lunches!
Asparagus Mushroom Pasta Salad
This vegan Pasta Salad with Asparagus and Mushrooms is light and zesty with a bright Lemony- Parsley Dressing. A great make-ahead salad, perfect for potlucks or midweek lunches.
Roasted Sheet-Pan Ratatouille Pasta!
This vegan pasta is tossed with oven-roasted -Ratatouille – full of end-of-summer veggies like eggplant, zucchini, and peppers. Comforting, delicious and totally vegan!
Spring Pea Pasta
A delicious vegetarian pasta recipe for Spring Pea Pasta with truffle oil, lemon, and mint. Flavorful and simple to make, this can be served warm or chilled – perfect for gatherings or midweek lunches. Keep it vegan or add crumbled goat cheese. I’ve used chickpea pasta in the photo. 😉
Sesame Cabbage Noodles
This vegan pasta recipe is made with mostly cabbage and only a small portion of vermicelli rice noodles. The Asian style dressing is so tasty! Top the salad off with scallions, cilantro and crunchy roasted peanuts. Add Sesame Tofu or chicken if you like. Vegan, Gluten-free!
Garlicky Chard Pasta
This pasta dish is loaded up with fresh chard and lots of garlic. Lemon gives it a delicious brightness. A quick, light and healthy, vegan pasta recipe that can be made in 20 minutes!
Jade Noodles
This vegan pasta recipe called Jade Noodles– is made with Asian soba noodles and loaded up with seasonal healthy veggies like broccolini, asparagus, edamame, then tossed in a flavorful sesame dressing. Save it warm or chilled.
Lemon Basil Orzo Salad
Made with orzo pasta, cucumbers, tomatoes and arugula- a healthy, vegan orzo pasta salad recipe that can be made ahead for midweek lunches or potlucks. Keep it vegan or add feta!
Kung Pao Noodles
And lastly, one of my personal favorites, Kung Pao Noodles with cauliflower- made in a wok with a very flavorful Kung Pao Sauce – a feast for the senses! We learned this recipe in China – authentic and delicious!
Pick a few of these Healthy Vegetarian Pasta Recipes (with MORE veggies than pasta!) this week and give them a whirl. Let me know what you think in the comments below!
Happy week friends!!!
xo
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40 Best Pasta Recipes!
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: pasta, vegetarian
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
40 Best Pasta Recipes that are all veggie-loaded. Easy, healthy and delicious, these pasta dishes are vegetarian, vegan or vegan-adaptable: How to Cook Pasta.
Ingredients
- 2 quarts water (8 cups)
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 8 ounces of pasta
- 1 teaspoon olive oil- optional
Instructions
- Place water and salt in a medium pot and bring to boil over high heat. Add optional olive oil ( to prevent sticking)
- Add the dry pasta and give a stir. Bring to boil, lower heat so the pot is gently simmering, uncovered.
- Cook until the pasta is soft but still has a little bite to it. Depending on the pasta this time will vary so always check package instructions.
- Drain, always saving a cup of hot pasta water.
- Use right away, or see notes for storing.
Notes
If storing for later, rinse the pasta in cold water until cooled. Drain. Toss generously with olive oil and place in a shallow open container in the fridge. Cover it only after it is completely cold. The idea here is to cool pasta as quickly as possible to prevent unwanted bacteria from growing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 395
- Sugar: 1.5 g
- Sodium: 1766.5 mg
- Fat: 0.9 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 42.3 g
- Fiber: 1.8 g
- Protein: 7.4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: pasta recipes, best pasta recipes, how to cook pasta, vegetarian pasta recipes, vegan pasta recipes, healthy pasta recipes, best vegetarian pasta
I used roasted broccoli tonight and subbed the hemp seeds for the cashews. I loved the result! Much lighter. I too have tried many of the vegan pasta dishes, the carrot orechiette, all of the lasagnas (the polenta one is, wow), the roast cauliflower pasta, the buccatini, the ziti with no-cook noodles. LOVE this blog. It’s saved me during this pandemic. I try new recipes every week. Keep it coming! K
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thanks Kay!
Excited to try some of these.
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We have made so many of these vegan pasta dishes. Thanks for making it so easy to be vegan. Your tofu ricotta is a god-send.
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I have made so many of these and love them all. My top 3 are Broccoli Orechiette, Thai Noodle Salad and the Asparagus Pasta! So good!
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This looks like a fab dish – thanks for sharing! My Himself loves this kind of meal, shall have to make it for him as a treat as we don’t often have fish in the house (I don’t eat it)