30 Authentic Italian vegan pasta recipes that are packed with flavor from various regions in Italy. Many of these take under 40 minutes to make, and all of them are incredibly delicious.
History
Italian cuisine is rich in pasta recipes that showcase the country's wonderful vegetables and legumes. Many of these recipes originated in what Italians call 'la cucina povera', meaning the kitchen of the poor.
These are dishes that were part of the diet of the rural population for whom meat, fish and often dairy were unaffordable and/or difficult to find.
Many traditional vegetable or legume pasta recipes are naturally vegan or easily made vegan as they include egg pasta, some cheese and occasionally butter, all of which are easily substituted or omitted.
Nowadays, it's also possible to find vegan cheese and butter to replace the dairy if preferred. You can also make your own vegan parmesan if you want to add some cheesy flavor to your pasta.
Vegan Pasta Recipes from Italy
Just click the recipe name to go to the recipe post.
1) Spaghetti all’Assassina aka Assassin’s Spaghetti
Spaghetti all'assassina, also known as burnt spaghetti or spaghetti bruciati, is a traditional dish from Bari, Puglia. This unique recipe involves cooking the pasta "risotto style" in a spicy tomato sauce, resulting in slightly burnt, crispy spaghetti with a rich and spicy tomato flavor.
2 ) Spaghetti aglio e olio
Spaghetti aglio e olio is a quick pasta recipe known for its simplicity and rich garlic flavor. It only requires a few easy-to-find ingredients and takes just 15 minutes to prepare. Despite its simplicity, it packs a lot of flavor, making it an ideal choice for a quick and delicious meal.
3) Sardinian Fregola with Chickpeas
This comforting Sardinian fregola (fregula) with chickpeas is a hearty, slightly spicy pasta soup, ideal for the colder months. In addition to being very wholesome, this dish is not complicated to make, only using one pot and taking less than an hour.
4) Vermicelli di Positano
Vermicelli di Positano originates from the picturesque Amalfi Coast and is a simple and light dish. The combination of cooked pasta with marinated vegetables and herbs creates a light and refreshing meal, perfect for enjoying in the summer.
5) Elephant Garlic Pasta (Pici all'Aglione)
Pici all'Aglione is a traditional Tuscan dish that is easy to make and full of flavor. This vegan pasta recipe uses thick spaghetti-like pici pasta and elephant garlic, known for its large cloves and mild, leek-like taste. The preparation involves sautéing the garlic with chili pepper and olive oil, then simmering it with tomato passata to create a flavorful sauce.
6) Casarecce Pasta Caponata Recipe from Sicily
Try one of the most iconic dishes in Sicilian cooking: caponata! This popular vegan pasta recipe is loved for its balance of sweet, sour, and salty flavors from the Mediterranean vegetables, capers, and olives. It's delicious warm or as a pasta salad.
7) Olive Leaf Pasta with King Oyster Mushrooms
Enjoy the rich flavors of Puglia with this olive leaf pasta recipe featuring king oyster mushrooms. This vegan pasta recipe combines the meaty texture of king oyster mushrooms with sautéed garlic, onions, tomatoes, and a hint of peperoncino, all mixed with unique olive leaf-shaped pasta. Ready in about 50 minutes, this simple yet flavorful meal is perfect for a nutritious dinner.
8) Tuscan Minestrone with Orzo Pasta
Tuscan minestrone with orzo pasta is a vegan Italian minestrone recipe enjoyed during the fall and winter when the vegetables are in season. It features fresh, seasonal vegetables such as squash, potatoes, carrots, Swiss chard, leeks, celery, savoy cabbage, beans, and pasta. It's incredibly hearty and will keep you warm and help your body combat seasonal ailments.
9) Genovese Mushroom Ragu with Trofie (tocco de funzi)
Enjoy some of the rich flavors of Liguria with this Genovese mushroom ragu, known locally as "tocco de funzi." This vegan dish features a savory mix of porcini mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and herbs, creating an umami-rich, aromatic vegan sauce.
10) Umbrian Wild Pea Soup with Casarecce Pasta
This delicious and healthy wild pea soup with pasta from Umbria features a unique and rare legume called roveja. It is simple to prepare and offers a good source of nutrition and warmth. However, if you can't find roveja, you can easily substitute it with other legumes like chickpeas or lentils; it's still delicious!
11) Casarecce Pasta alla Peperonata
The star of this delicious casarecce pasta alla peperonata is a traditional stewed sweet pepper sauce from Southern Italy. The vibrant sauce uses a mixture of red, orange and yellow peppers and is perfect for a side dish or mixed with pasta.
12) Pasta and Chickpea Soup from Tuscany
Pasta with chickpeas is a delicious and nutritious traditional recipe in many parts of Central and Southern Italy. This recipe comes from Tuscany, where they use tomatoes, dried chickpeas and pasta ribbons like tagliatelle.
13) Red Lentil Ragu with Whole-wheat Pasta
Ready in about 40 minutes, this dish is not only nutritious but also easy to prepare, making it an excellent choice for a meatless pasta recipe. The rich, earthy flavors of the lentils make this ragu a satisfying alternative to traditional meat-based sauces.
14) Umbrian Lentil Soup with Pasta
This recipe from Umbria in Central Italy includes the region’s famous small mountain lentils, which many believe to be the best in Italy. However, you can use other types of small green/brown lentils, such as puy lentils from France.
Apart from the lentils and pasta, you need onion, carrots, celery, garlic, rosemary, tomato paste, and vegetable stock to make this one-pot nutritious vegan/vegetarian Italian soup with pasta.
15) Lagane with chickpeas (lagane e ceci)
This vegan pasta features homemade lagane, a wide, flat noodle similar to tagliatelle, paired with chickpeas, tomatoes, garlic, and rosemary. This hearty meal is perfect for cold weather, providing a nutritious and satisfying combination of legumes and pasta.
Easily Made Vegan-Friendly Pasta Recipes
You can make these pasta recipes vegan by swapping or omitting one or two ingredients for a vegan variation, such as butter or cheese. Plus, egg pasta recipes can be made with eggless pasta types.
16) Italian Pasta with Peas (pasta e piselli)
This is a classic, comforting Italian dish that combines pasta with sweet peas in a light and flavorful sauce. With just four primary ingredients, including either fresh or frozen peas, this recipe delivers delicious Spring flavors in just 25 minutes. Make this vegan by using eggless pasta and leaving out the butter and cheese.
17) Spaghetti with Green Beans
This spaghetti with green beans is an excellent vegan pasta recipe that encourages children to eat their greens. The green beans are cooked in a rich tomato sauce, making them very flavorful and moreish. Use vegan cheese or omit the cheese.
18) Tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms
The deliciousness of pasta with porcini mushrooms can only be understood by those who have had the pleasure of eating it. This classic easily made vegan mushroom pasta recipe is easy to prepare and bursting with umami-rich flavors. Just use vegan butter or leave it out.
19) Tuscan Kale, White Bean and Pasta Soup
This hearty and delicious Tuscan soup with kale, white beans, and pasta is not just a flavorful dish but also a powerhouse of nutrition. Packed with the goodness of kale and protein-rich white beans, this soup is a perfect choice for a healthy and satisfying meal during the cold weather. Serve without cheese for a vegan version.
20) Pasta Risotto with Pumpkin or Winter Squash
Enjoy the comforting flavors of Neapolitan cuisine with this risotto-style pasta with pumpkin. This simple yet flavorful dish features orzo pasta cooked risotto-style with creamy pumpkin, garlic, and a hint of red chili pepper. Ready in about 35 minutes, this vegan-friendly recipe combines the richness of pumpkin with the unique texture of orzo, creating a delicious and nutritious meal. Omit the cheese or use vegan cheese.
21) Bucatini all'Arrabbiata
A delicious and spicy classic pasta dish from Rome that is easily made vegan by simply omitting the parmesan. In this 30-minute pasta recipe, all you need is garlic, chili peppers, tomatoes, parsley, and pasta!
22) Spaghetti with Agretti (Salsola Soda)
Enjoy this quick and tasty spaghetti with agretti or salsola soda that only use 6 ingredients! The salsola soda offers a delightful salty and slightly tangy taste that complements pasta beautifully. Serve without cheese to make this recipe vegan.
23) Summer Tagliolini Pasta Recipe with Marinated Vegetables
This light summer tagliolini pasta recipe straight from a restaurant in Bologna is tasty, fresh, and healthy. It has a no-cook sauce, meaning all you have to cook is the pasta; it's that easy! Use eggless pasta and omit the cheese to make this recipe vegan.
24) Green Pasta Salad with Edible Flowers
This green pasta salad is a perfect blend of health, flavor, and beauty, enhanced by adding edible flowers that make it visually stunning. Its fresh flavors and beautiful presentation will make it a hit at any gathering, from Mother's Day celebrations to summer picnics. Leave out the cheese to make this a vegan pasta recipe.
25) Elicoidali Pasta with Tropea Onions
This delicious elicoidali pasta recipe originates from Calabria in Southern Italy and is a must-try for onion lovers. It's typically made with the region's renowned sweet red Tropea onions, but you can also use other types of red onions for this dish. Use a vegan cheese in this recipe to make it vegan.
26) The Best Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce Ever
In this recipe, I will share with you the best spaghetti and tomato sauce recipe ever! It is by Michelin-starred Neapolitan chef Pepper Guida, and it is one of my absolute favorites. Serve without cheese to make this a vegan pasta recipe.
27) Drunken Spaghetti Red Wine Pasta (spaghetti all'ubriaco)
Spaghetti all'ubriaco or ubriachi is a fantastic choice for special occasions such as Christmas or Valentine's Day. This simple yet elegant recipe involves cooking spaghetti in red wine, similar to a risotto. Easily made vegan by leaving out the cheese.
28) Fileja Tropeana from Calabria
Fileja Tropeana is a traditional pasta dish from Calabria, Southern Italy. It’s made with a colorful and fragrant sauce of zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, and red Tropea onion. There’s also some peperoncino (red chili pepper) which gives this dish a bit of a kick! Don't serve this recipe with cheese to make it vegan.
29) Tuscan Pomarola Tomato Sauce with Mixed Pasta
Pomarola is a traditional homemade tomato sauce from Tuscany. You can make it with a combination of different types of fresh tomatoes or with just one type.
In this recipe, I paired my Tuscan pomarola tomato sauce with mixed pasta (pasta mista). This is an excellent and economical way to use up leftover dried pasta. This recipe doesn't really need cheese so leave it out to make it vegan.
30) Pasta Aglio, olio, Peperoncino (alla Borbonica)
Pasta aglio, olio, e peperoncino (alla Borbonica) is a dish with simple yet bold flavors. It features garlic, high-quality olive oil, and a sprinkle of spicy peperoncino, highlighting the use of quality ingredients. Perfect without cheese!
More Recipe Collections You May Like:
- Spaghetti Recipes From Italy
- Italian Spring Pasta Recipes
- Italian Summer Pasta Recipes
- Quick Pasta Recipes (Under 30 Minutes)
If you make any of these Italian vegan pasta recipes, I'd love to hear how it turns out. Write a comment here on the blog or join and post a comment and photo on my Pastaliciousness Facebook group.
Your feedback is important to me!
Buon appetito!
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If you are interested in learning how to make homemade pasta and different types of gnocchi, check out my shop page for some great video online courses from my friends in Rome! Nothing beats learning to make pasta from Italians! Plus while you’re there why not order a copy of one of my pasta recipe cookbooks or some pasta making tools? They make great prezzies for pasta lovers.
Jenny says
Such a great collection! Tuscan soup with kale, white beans, and pasta is my favorite but there are so many other delicious choices. Thank you!
LaKita says
This list of pasta recipes has so many tasty options on it that I cannot wait to try! I'm saving it for later to make a few of them soon.
Ashley says
What a great round-up of recipes! While I'm not vegan, I am lactose-intolerant, so knowing that all of these don't have dairy in them is so great. Thanks!
Loreto and Nicoletta says
We love Italy, and all the different pasta dishes from the different regions. it was such a pleasure reading through your post as it strikes up so many memories of travelling around Italy.
We would eat any one of these pasta dishes, so healthy, and beautiful also. Great post and share!
Pasta forever!
DK says
What a great list of vegan pastas! My favorite is the drunken spaghetti pasta - it looks perfect for a date night dish!
Bernice says
Love this roundup. There's a pasta for every season and every taste. I don't even know where to start... maybe an easy summer pasta dish like the elephant garlic pasta? It's calling my name..
Leslie says
What an amazing roundup of delicious pasta recipes! Your summer tagliolini pasta recipe is catching my eye! So perfect for summer!
veenaazmanov says
Pasta is one of my family favorite comfort meal option any day. Thanks for such a vast list of recipes. I cannot wait to check them out.
Juyali says
This post made me hungry! So many wonderful options to choose. I think my favorite was the Sardinian fregola with chickpeas. That's the one I'll start with. What's your favorite?
Veronika says
All these look incredible but Ive got to try the lentil soup with pasta first, it looks so comforting!