If you think of many traditional Italian pasta recipes, you may think they all contain meat, like Carbonara, Bolognese sauce, Lasagna, and so on. But what you may not know is that most peasant traditional recipes did not contain meat as it was too expensive at the time. So many Italian dishes from the tradition are actually vegetarian, like these vegetarian pasta recipes.
Here therefore I decided to collect some of my favorite vegetarian pasta recipes that do not have any meat at all. Full of veggies, cheese, and pasta goodness. You will not miss the meat at all.
30 Minutes or Less
How satisfying it is when you can make a delicious dinner in half-hour or less. Even on the busiest days of the week, you know you can count on these easy vegetarian pasta recipes to bring to your family table.
A creamy pasta sauce made almost entirely from an eggplant? Yes, you read that right. A delicious flavorful pasta sauce packed with veggies but super creamy and velvety. It has only 5 ingredients, it’s super easy and it’s ready in just 20 minutes so it’s a perfect weekday meal!
You haven’t tried the real Pasta with Pesto if you haven’t eaten this traditional version with potatoes and green beans. Pesto goes well with almost any ingredient, but nothing compares to this pairing. This is the traditional version from Liguria, where Pesto was born.
Pasta e Patate it’s a traditional Italian recipe from the South of Italy. It can be made with only pasta and potatoes or with the addition of Provola cheese.
I discovered this dish casually, a really fortunate fortuity since it quickly became one of my favorite comfort foods. It’s actually a pretty simple recipe with just a few ingredients like tomatoes, eggplant, and mozzarella. But, as it often happens with simple recipes, it turns out to be bold and delicious.
A dark green flavorful pesto made with Cavolo Nero, or Tuscan Kale, a winter super food with many health benefits which is very much used in Tuscan cuisine. A soft and creamy Burrata on top will make this pasta unforgettably delicious.
Whenever I have Chestnut Champignon (or more commonly known as Cremini mushrooms) in my fridge, I have to make this mushroom pasta at least once! Mushrooms and cream are a heavenly pair and this pasta dish is so quick and easy to make that will soon become your favorite go-to meal!
Some days I feel torn between wanting to cook something nice and not having the mental energy to do it. So I re-invented a classic: Spaghetti aglio, olio e peperoncino (garlic, oil and chili pepper spaghetti). This dish is a classic for a reason, it’s amazingly easy and stunningly delicious. Every time it blows my mind how can 3 simple basic ingredients when mixed and cooked together create such a deep and intense flavor.
A creamy sauce with 4 different Italian cheeses, in which the special guest star is always Gorgonzola. This is the Italian version of mac&cheese and it's so delicious! A staple comfort food for any day of the year.
Oven-Baked
Is there anything better than a piping hot dish coming out the oven with baked pasta in a pool of bubbling sauce covered by a crispy Parmesan crust? I don't think there is.
These dishes remind me so much of Sunday lunch with the family when I was growing up. The moment when the big pasta bake dish was coming to the table making the whole house smell good.
These vegetarian pasta bakes are the perfect comfort food for any season.
The classic combination of cheese and onions as in the famous French Onion soup, but in a pasta bake form. Perfect for a Sunday dinner or Holiday feast. It’s completely vegetarian and absolutely delicious!
A vegetarian pasta bake full of veggies and cheesy goodness. This pasta bake with mushrooms, zucchini, basil pesto, and melted cheese will be your new favorite comfort food.
Out of all the possible vegetable combinations with which you can make a vegetable Lasagna, this one has always been my favorite. Zucchini and mushrooms are a perfect pairing. They go perfectly with white sauce, with cheese, with pasta. Just perfect.
There’s nothing better than bringing to the table a piping hot dish of freshly made Cannelloni. Making them at home is not difficult and it’s so satisfying. It’s the perfect dish for a Sunday family meal or for the Holiday table and I’m sure that everyone will love them.
There’s no way to get Lasagne wrong, no matter what filling you decide to choose.
In my family, the classic Lasagna with Tuscan Ragù and Béchamel sauce was a must of almost every Sunday lunch. I like to twist the traditions a little bit so in the years I tried a different kind of Lasagna with all kinds of vegetables but I must say that by far this is my favorite one. I would eat the whole tray if I could!
Fresh Pasta
When you have a free morning and want to spoil your family with fresh pasta, these recipes will be perfect. From Ravioli to Tortelli, to Pici or Cavatelli. Some are quite easy and quick to make, others are more laborious but still well worth it.
If you want to know more, check this post on how to make fresh pasta without a pasta machine.
These are some of my favorite vegetarian pasta recipes made with handmade fresh pasta.
Making fresh homemade ravioli is one of the most rewarding things you can make. These delicious Mushroom Ravioli with a filling of Ricotta and Wild Mushrooms served with a creamy Parmesan sauce, will surely be a hit on your table. They’re perfect for a weekend dinner or even a holiday feast with your family or friends.
Beautiful handmade Tortelli or Tortelloni, filled with creamy aromatic Ricotta mixed with all the fresh herbs such as tarragon, sage, basil, lemon thyme, and chives. But you can use whatever fresh herbs you have available! A fantastic dish to impress friends and family.
Delicious handmade Cavatelli or Gnocchetti Sardi pasta made with spelt flour and served with a dreamy creamy cheesy Broccoli sauce. You can also use ready-made pasta and whip up this incredible dish in just 20 minutes!
Cacio e Pepe is one of the most representative dishes of Italian food, along with Carbonara and Lasagne. What they all have in common is that they only need 3 ingredients. Yes, only 3. But the most important thing that they have in common is that you need to do them just right. Follow the instructions and use the right ingredients, otherwise you end up with a completely different dish or a hot mess.
The best basil Pesto made from scratch pairs perfectly with this handmade pasta shape called Trofie. The pasta requires some time to make but the pesto is ready in just a few minutes! So try this recipe whenever you want to eat fresh delicious Pesto sauce with your pasta.
The best fall recipes are pumpkin recipes. Even better if they are pumpkin pasta recipes! A creamy roasted pumpkin filling make these ravioli the perfect cozy fall comfort food. If you love all the recipes with pumpkin, you have to try them!
Fresh handmade egg pasta in a shape of Cappelletti or Tortellini, stuffed with a cheesy filling of Ricotta and Parmigiano cheese. Serve them with this creamy delicious asparagus sauce with crispy buttery asparagus tips and you'll never forget this meal!
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