One Pot Vegan Pasta
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If you love simple, it doesn't get any simpler than a one pot meal. And if you love delicious, it doesn't get more flavorful than this one pot vegan pasta! Penne cooks in a spicy sun-dried tomato and roasted red pepper sauce. Then it's covered in tomatoes and buttered breadcrumbs and broiled to bubbly perfection. It's smoky, tangy, sweet, and savory ā minus the dishes!
For another delicious vegan pasta recipe, whip up this lentil bolognese.
This delicious vegan pasta takes just one pot to whip up ā Not one pot to cook the pasta and another for the sauce, just one pot total. Singular! The secret is cooking the pasta right in the sauce. After caramelizing the tomato paste and garlic, pour in some vegan milk, canned tomatoes, a few spices, and the pasta. The creamy magic happens when the starches are released from the pasta and mix with the dairy-free milk to create a luscious, silky sauce.
Once the pasta is cooked you can either serve it straight away or top it with some sliced tomatoes and buttered breadcrumbs then give it a quick broil. It's special enough for entertaining or date night, yet simple enough to make on any regular weeknight!
Ingredients needed
Made from wholesome and vegan ingredients, this one pot vegan pasta makes an irresistible dinner. Gather these ingredients:
- Sun-dried tomatoes:Ā The robust, deep umami yet slightly sweet flavor fills the dish with richness and complexity.
- Tomato paste and garlic: Both caramelize for a velvety base.
- Vegan milk: Unsweetened almond milk is our top pick, but you can use whatever neutral-flavored milk you have on hand.
- Penne: Simmered right in the sauce, it releases starches that mix with the dairy-free milk to create a luscious, silky sauce. Use a gluten-free pasta if needed.
- Roasted red peppers: Adds a smokiness and tang.
- Crushed tomatoes: A can adds vibrancy to the sauce.
- Chili flakes: For subtle heat.
- Spinach and basil: For a boost of nutrition and freshness.
- Toppings: Melted vegan butter, breadcrumbs, nutritional yeast, tomatoes.
How to make one pot vegan pasta
Get out your one large skillet ā the only dish you'll need for this simple, delicious dinner that has only ten minutes of prep time. These are the instructions:
- Add, simmer, stir: Heat up some oil from your jar of sun-dried tomatoes, then add the rest of the jar, tomato paste, and garlic. Let it caramelize before adding everything except the greens and toppings. Stir and let the pasta simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Make toppings: Add the melted vegan butter, breadcrumbs, and nutritional yeast in a bowl. If you want to broil, turn on the oven now.
- Top, broil, serve: Once the pasta is al dente, stir in the spinach and fresh basil and cover the top with tomato slices. Broil until they wilt, then sprinkle with breadcrumbs and enjoy!
What to serve with this dinner
This one-pot vegan pasta is satisfying as a standalone meal. If you're enjoying a multi-course meal, open the evening with warm marinated olives or a white bean dip.
Round out the dinner with a side of pan seared brussels sprouts, a cucumber tomato salad, or roasted acorn squash.
Then the fun part: dessert! Enjoy vegan pots de creme, a chocolate blackberry crumble, or vegan salted caramel brownies.
Recipe FAQs
Where can I find roasted red peppers?
You don't have to roast your own at home ā you can find them in the grocery store in glass jars, usually near the pickles and olives.
Can I use gluten-free pasta?
Yes, you can use gluten-free pasta instead of the penne ā this recipe works best with short pasta rather than long pasta like spaghetti. And avoid pasta made with legumes as they cook differently and aren't the right choice for this recipe.
Can I store leftover vegan one-pot pasta?
Yes, store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Or you can store it in the freezer for up to three months.
Can I add anything else?
Sure! Add in some extra veggies, fresh herbs, or vegan cheese. Our top picks include mushrooms, oregano, zucchini, or sauteed onions. You can also adjust the spice level by increasing or reducing the amount of red pepper flakes or adding chili powder.
One Pot Vegan Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- Ā¼ cup finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes (in oil)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 cups vegan milk (unsweetened almond milk works well)
- 1 lb uncooked penne (gluten-free if needed)
- 2 roasted red peppers (chopped)
- 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- Ā½ teaspoon chili flakes
- 3 handfuls of spinach
- Ā¼ cup torn basil
Topping
- 1 teaspoon vegan butter (melted)
- Ā¼ cup fine bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 5 Roma tomatoes (sliced thick)
Instructions
- Pour 1 tablespoon of the oil from your jar of sun-dried tomatoes into a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste, and garlic and cook until the tomato paste starts to darken and caramelize, about 3 minutes.Ā¼ cup finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 3 cloves garlic
- Add the vegan milk, penne, roasted red peppers, can of tomatoes, sea salt and chili flakes to the skillet and stir to mix well. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 mins, or until the pasta is cooked through. Stir several times, especially at the beginning, to prevent the pasta from sticking to the skillet.2 cups vegan milk, 1 lb uncooked penne, 2 roasted red peppers, 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes, 1 teaspoon sea salt, Ā½ teaspoon chili flakes
- While the pasta is cooking, mix together the melted butter, breadcrumbs, and nutritional yeast in a small bowl. Set the oven rack in the top third of your oven and preheat on broil.1 teaspoon vegan butter, Ā¼ cup fine bread crumbs, 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- When the pasta is al dente, stir in the spinach and basil and cover the top with the tomato slices. Broil until the tomatoes wilt and are brown in a few places, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle the buttered breadcrumbs on top during the last minute. Serve with a sprinkle of parsley.3 handfuls of spinach, Ā¼ cup torn basil, 5 Roma tomatoes
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
For more inspiration, check out all of our vegan recipes!