This 20-Minute Vegan Pasta with a simple tomato basil cream sauce and spinach will be your new go-to healthy weeknight dinner recipe! Made with just 6 ingredients, you'll love this foolproof, hearty pasta meal. It's absolutely packed with flavor plus 14g plant protein per serving.
We love a good vegan pasta recipe around here! I make my Vegan Lasagna, Vegan Butternut Squash Pasta and Vegan Spinach and Artichoke Pasta on the regular.
Eating super yummy food that pleases the belly and soul doesn't have to require a bunch of ingredients and doesn't have to be expensive. You guys know I'm the bargain queen!
Today's plant-powered Creamy Vegan Tomato Basil Pasta requires six simple ingredients and is packed not only with the most fab flavor, but also veggies to boot!
If you've been following me for a while, you may recognize that this recipe is a spin-off of my Spaghetti Squash with Vegan Tomato Basil Cream Sauce from 2015.
Quite a popular one! This is one of those hearty and healthy meals that the whole family will be heart eyes for. Hooray for eating your veggies!
Now let's talk sauce. All you do for the yummiest, creamiest, tangiest tomato basil cream sauce is blend the dairy-free cream cheese, a can of fire roasted tomatoes (don't drain!), a pinch of salt, water, and fresh basil.
Combine that velvety smooth greatness with 100% whole grain penne and bada boom--dinner for 4 is on the table in under thirty minutes! Now that's what I'm talking about. Pssst: if you follow a gluten-free diet, you can totally use brown rice quinoa penne.
Cheers to a new year that's not laced with unrealistic expectations but rather more meaningful intention into personalized baby steps that'll make you feel happy and healthy long term. We begin with pasta!!
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Creamy Vegan Pasta
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 5 servings 1x
- Category: Main Meal
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This 20-Minute Vegan Pasta with a simple tomato basil cream sauce and spinach will be your new go-to healthy weeknight dinner recipe! Made with just 6 ingredients, you'll love this foolproof, hearty pasta meal. It's absolutely packed with flavor plus 14g plant protein per serving.
Ingredients
- 16oz short cut pasta (penne, rotini, bowtie, etc)
- 14.5oz can fire roasted tomatoes (do not drain)
- ½ cup vegan cream cheese
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, packed (plus more for garnish)
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 3 cups spinach, chopped
Instructions
- Cook pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package directions.
- Meanwhile, place cream cheese, tomatoes basil, and salt in a blender. Blend until smooth.
- Heat a large skillet coated with cooking spray over medium low heat. Add spinach and sauté for a couple minutes, or until wilted. Add drained pasta and sauce and stir until heated through. Serve hot garnished with extra basil and red pepper flakes!
Alyssa says
I made this tonight for dinner and it was incredible! I loved how quick and easy it was to make.
Alexis Joseph says
Amazing, thanks for reminding me I gotta make this!
Chelsey says
This is the first official vegan recipe I’ve made! It was amazing! I’ll definitely make it again!
Wondering if you have the nutrition info listed anywhere, maybe I’m just reading past it ??♀️
Alexis says
Awesome! I'm so happy you liked it. Nope, I don't post nutrition information.
Emily says
Made this last night for dinner and it was so good! I was so happy to learn from Alexis' post that Aldi made a vegan cream cheese. Loved the simplicity of this recipe, will definitely make this again.
Alexis says
Thank you so much for the feedback, Emily!
Martha says
I made this over the weekend, so easy to make and so tasty. I used the daiya vegan cream cheese spread. The best part is that even even though the sauce comes out creamy and delicious it does not feel “heavy” after you eat it. Will definitely be making this dish again. Keep the vegan recipes coming yay!
PredatorNutrition says
Ohhh, this pasta looks so amazingly delicious. I am definitely trying this at my home today for my wife when she returns from work. Let's just hope I make it right. haha
Julie says
I made this dish tonight. The sauce is so easy and delicious. I’m a new reader of the blog, and I can’t wait to try more recipes!
Jessica says
Made this recipe tonight and it was delicious! Loved the sauce so much, that I made another batch for this weekend!
Alexis says
Yayy thanks so much, Jessica!
Alisha says
SO pumped for this! ALDI is my jam! However, my Aldi doesn't always carry the cream cheese! The worker said they only have it once in awhile "on special". So what other brands would you recommend? I also shop at Lucky's and Whole Foods.
Alexis says
Literally any cream cheese, dairy or non dairy, will be totally fine. Enjoy!
Katie L. Macimmilan says
I printed this out & planning on making for a Sat. morning luncheon with my friends. Would this work with zoodles for a lower cal/ carb alternative? I love me some skinny pasta recipes!! Do you have any lightened up baked goods you would recommend to pair with this lovely rrcipe? Giving y'all 5 stars for goregeous photography, witty writing and a great recipe.
Alexis says
Hi! You can use zucchini noodles instead of pasta if you’d like. My banana bread recipe is my favorite dessert. I’m a big believer in treats with wholesome, feel good ingredients versus lighter 🙂 enjoy!
Meghann says
This looks DELISH! And I love Aldi as well.... but, does yours have fresh basil?! Or did you have to make a trip elsewhere?!
Kori says
Matt and I love Aldi! I cannot wait to make this for us! While I bummed I haven't been able to eat lovely whole wheat pasta in several years, I am grateful that Aldi has some deeelicious GF pastas for Matt. Have you tried their organic edamame pasta or black soybean? They are phenomenal!