Do you love Italian food but can’t stomach the thought of eating meat? No problem! There are classic dishes like spaghetti and lasagna. Then, you have plenty of creative new recipes like caramelized onion pasta. Trust me, you’ll have a tough time choosing one to make! Just remember: sometimes, leaving out the meat isn’t enough. For authentic vegan Italian recipes, you also need to cut out cheese, butter, etc. These 37 recipes can help you do that. So grab your favorite pasta strainer, and let’s get cooking!
1. Vegan Walnut Pesto
Before we jump into the dishes, let’s look at this vegan pesto recipe. Many Italian recipes call for pesto, and most pesto recipes include cheese. Not this one, though! You’ll make it with walnuts, basil, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and salt. And instead of parmesan or another cheese, you’ll use nutritional yeast. (Vegan parmesan would work, too.) It takes 5 minutes to whip up, and there’s no cooking required. Use it in any Italian recipe requiring pesto.
2. Vegan Lasagna
Here’s an unpopular opinion, but it’s a hill I will die on. Veggie and vegan lasagnas taste better than meat-based lasagnas. I know! I know! I’m speaking heresy! But it also happens to be true. This vegan lasagna is full of marinara and garden-fresh flavors. It’s ridiculously hearty but not greasy or heavy like meat-based lasagnas. It leaves you feeling full without weighing you down. And it’s just plain better.
3. Vegan Spaghetti and Meatballs
Yep. This dish looks like a big plate of spaghetti and meatballs sitting on the table.
It’s saucy, herby, and full of traditional spaghetti flavors.
The “meatballs” are thick and flavorful, though not quite as moist as the real thing.
Even so, the dish tastes phenomenal and makes an excellent dinner option for the whole family.
4. 10-Ingredient Roasted Eggplant Pasta
Don’t confuse this delicious dish with eggplant parmesan. They’re two entirely different things. This one is far less tomato-flavored and a lot greener. It has a fresh, zesty, earthy flavor and plenty of walnuts for crunch. Best of all, it looks like a gourmet meal. Everyone who sees it will be impressed. (Even more so when they taste it.)
5. Spaghetti Pomodoro (Tomato Basil Pasta)
I know spaghetti and meatballs is most people’s dish of choice. For my money, though, it’s all about the spaghetti Pomodoro. It’s a simple, garlicky pasta dish with tons of tomatoes and basil. It’s fresh and herby and tastes so good that I could eat it three times a week. You won’t need any special vegan ingredients to make it, either. It’s naturally meat- and dairy-free.
6. Tomato Basil Zucchini Pasta
Do you love pasta but are trying to watch your weight? Well, have no fear. This delectable tomato basil zucchini pasta is just what you need! It’s packed full of flavor and takes hardly any time to make. Plus, it’s a great way to use any extra zucchini from your garden. And the juicy cherry tomatoes give it lots of pizzazz. Each bite is fresher and yummier than the last.
7. Garlic and Oil Pasta (Spaghetti Aglio e Olio)
This simple, seven-ingredient pasta takes ZERO cooking skills to make. Even if you’ve never prepared a dish in your life, you can make this one. All you’ll do is boil your pasta and toss it in a peppery, garlicky, olive oil-based sauce. The whole process shouldn’t take longer than 15 minutes. It tastes just as good cold as it does hot, too.
8. Pasta with Lentils (Pasta e Lenticchie)
This hearty one-pot meal is so filling that you’d almost swear it had meat. It doesn’t, though, just veggies, herbs, and lots of lentils. It’s incredibly flavorful and fragrant and takes less than an hour to make. Just remember to use vegan parmesan if you add the optional cheese.
9. Penne Arrabbiata
Arrabbiata is one of those dishes that are both easy and impressive. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal or for WOW-ing guests at a dinner party. It’s also simple to customize it to suit your specific tastes. In this case, you make it vegan-friendly (and super garlicky). It’s saucy comfort food at its finest.
10. Vegan Fettuccine Alfredo (No Cashews)
Fettuccine Alfredo is all about the cheese, so there can’t be a vegan version, right? Wrong! This vegan fettuccine Alfredo tastes almost like the real thing. It has the same tender noodles and the same creamy sauce. Plus, you won’t use cashews to make it, so it doesn’t have that nutty aftertaste. Trust me, if you’re a fettuccine Alfredo lover, you’ll appreciate this recipe.
11. Creamy Garlic Mushroom Pasta
Mushrooms and garlic go together like PB&J. They just work. Take this creamy garlic mushroom pasta, for example. It has an herby, earthy flavor that’s out of this world. Every bite is rich and decadent and will make you groan with pleasure. It’s a little like beef stroganoff (minus the beef, of course). This dish’s taste is a little cleaner and not so heavy.
12. Vegan Tuscan Kale Pesto
Want pasta that uses fewer than 10 ingredients and is ready in 25 minutes? This recipe is the one for you. It’s bright, zesty, garlicky, and delicious. And it’s absolutely overflowing with pesto, which just makes everything better. When you cook with pesto, the whole neighborhood knows it.
13. Vegan Italian Pasta Salad
Everyone loves a cool pasta salad dish in the summer. That includes those following a vegan or vegetarian diet. Luckily, most summer pasta salad recipes are naturally vegan-friendly. This one is an excellent example of that. It features noodles, olives, veggies, parsley, and Italian dressing. It’s just like any Simply Salad pasta salad you’ve ever made, only better.
14. Caramelized Onion Pasta
If you don’t try any other recipe from this list, try this one. It’s spectacular. The noodles, oregano, and tomato pasta make it very spaghetti-esque. It’s the caramelized onions that completely steal the show, though. They’re exquisite, and they make this whole dish a decadent delight. Start with this recipe to ensure you make something the whole family enjoys.
15. Pasta e Ceci
This dense, chunky meal is perfect for warming your belly on a cool night. It’s overflowing with veggies and features tomatoes’ bright, fresh taste. It’s like a mixture of macaroni and tomato juice and vegetable soup. In fact, it’s the best of both worlds. It takes just 45 minutes to make and can last in the fridge for 3 days. It’s the kind of meal that tastes even better on the second day.
16. Caponata alla Siciliana
Eggplants are so underrated. If you don’t believe me, just try making this yummy recipe. If it doesn’t open your eyes to the wonders of eggplant, nothing will. Serve it as a stew, a dip, or a bruschetta-like appetizer. Either way, you and your guests are sure to love it.
17. Classic Italian Tomato Bruschetta
Speaking of bruschetta, I have a recipe for that, too! This 15-minute recipe requires only six ingredients and your bread, of course. It’s bright, zingy, and flavorful to the max. It doesn’t taste bad on tortilla chips as a makeshift salsa, either.
18. Vegan Focaccia
Looking for vegan-friendly bread to enjoy with your meals? Look no further than this delicious vegan focaccia recipe. This bread is perfect for any occasion, and it’s so easy to make! You’ll be able to impress your friends and family with this tasty treat. Give it a try today!
19. Vegan Stuffed Peppers
Most people think of stuffed peppers as Mexican or Tex-Mex cuisine. With a few adjustments to the spices, they can just as easily be Italian. These use garlic, parsley, oregano, red pepper flakes, and many veggies. They’re not just stuffed peppers; they’re overstuffed. They’re also hearty and unbelievably tasty.
20. Vegan Pizza
This vegan pizza is cheesy and smells as good as it tastes. It has everything you love about typical pizza but is entirely vegan-friendly, too. Best of all, you can whip up two made-from-scratch pizzas in just under 90 minutes. This recipe is one you’ll want to keep.
21. Vegan Pizza Roll-Ups
Never pop frozen pizza rolls into the oven or microwave again. Instead, make your own vegan pizza roll-ups at home. They’re healthier, tastier, and much more affordable. After all, you only use four ingredients to make them. That’s pretty hard to beat.
22. Panzanella Salad
Have a loaf of bread sitting around going stale? Panzanella salad to the rescue! Panzanella is an Italian salad combining bread, tomatoes, and other herbs and veggies. It’s a summertime favorite that’s wonderfully fresh and flavorful. You can whip it up in 20 minutes or less with no issues.
23. Vegan Tiramisu
So far, desserts haven’t been a priority on this list. But hey! Vegans love dessert, too! That’s where this vegan tiramisu comes into play. It has the same creamy, luscious texture as ‘regular’ tiramisu. Its bold coffee and chocolate flavors are totally on point, too. Serve this for your next dessert. Even your non-vegan friends will be happy.
24. Vegan Panna Cotta
Prefer strawberry desserts to chocolate ones? Try this vegan panna cotta instead. It’s dairy-free but tastes just like the Italian pudding we know and love. It’s light and refreshing, and the strawberry coulis will take your breath away. Yes, it really is that good.
25. Orange Creamsicle Vegan Semifreddo
Does summer make you think of creamy, orange popsicles? If so, I have the perfect dessert for you: vegan creamsicle semifreddo! This easy recipe is inspired by everyone’s favorite frozen treat. It’s sure to cool you down on a hot day. Plus, it’s dairy- and gluten-free, so it’s perfect for anyone with food allergies. Give it a try when the weather is warm. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
26. Vegan Cannoli
With its crunchy shell and sweet-n-tangy vegan ricotta filling, this cannoli is incredible. It has all the flavor and fun textures a regular cannoli. However, you won’t use eggs, lard, or other animal products to make it. Besides being vegan, it’s also a bit healthier than the traditional recipe. I call that a win-win.
27. Italian Biscotti
Everyone who’s ever had Italian food (or been in a bookstore) knows about biscotti. It’s a super crunchy Italian cookie perfect for dipping into coffee. This vegan version is just as crunchy and tasty. You can even choose between several flavors. I prefer the nuttier options. However, the chocolate and cranberry one tastes pretty amazing, too.
28. Vegan Affogato
You’re missing out if you’ve never put ice cream in coffee. Run, don’t walk, to your kitchen right now and give it a try. All you’ll need is coffee and vegan vanilla ice cream. It’s a creamy, caffeinated, and completely yummy beverage you won’t miss. Seriously! Go try it now. Then, come back and tell me how much you loved it.
29. Baked Italian Struffoli (Vegan)
If struffoli is too hard to remember, just call these honey balls instead. People who love Italian food will know what you mean. Typically, struffoli are rolled balls of dough. They’re dipped in honey and spices and deep-fried to a golden-brown level of goodness. These are a bit different. You use bee-free honey, for one thing. Additionally, you won’t deep-fry them. You bake them instead, making them so much healthier. They’re sweet and rich, with slight hints of brighter, tarter notes underneath. Check them out the next time you want to snack on something sweet.
30. Vegan Ricotta Pie
Ricotta pie is one of the richest desserts you’ll ever try. Even the vegan version is so decadent that it’s almost unbelievable. It’s thick, chocolatey, unbelievably sweet, and totally indulgent. It’s also spectacular, and your tastebuds will want a second piece. (Even if your tummy doesn’t agree.) You can whip it up with standard baking ingredients and vegan ricotta. It takes over an hour, but the process isn’t complicated. Follow the step-by-step instructions, and you should be just fine.
31. Chocolate Sicilian Cheesecake
This Sicilian cheesecake has a silky smooth texture that’ll make you weak in the knees. It’s ultra chocolatey and the perfect mix of sweet and tangy. It’s so creamy and light, but it takes a little work to get right. Once it’s ready, dust it with Cacao Bliss and top it with colorful berries. It’s a gorgeous dessert that looks nice enough, even for formal occasions. Plus, the espresso powder will give you a bit of a kick. Enjoy!
32. Zuccotto: a Creamy Italian Dessert Cake
Zuccotto is a creamy, dreamy, dome-shaped Italian cake. Most people are scared to make it because they think it’ll be too challenging. In reality, it’s not all that tricky. If you have a good eye for detail and can follow directions, you can make it. I wouldn’t recommend it as a first-time dessert, though. Work your way up to this one.
33. Vegan Florentine Biscuits
These stunning cookies aren’t as famous as biscotti, but they should be. They’re gorgeous, intricate, and ideal for the holidays. They’re crunchy, crumbly, fruity, chocolatey, and nutty. They pretty much have it all. It’s hard to believe you can pack so much flavor into such a small cookie. Luckily, you can. So give this recipe a try if you want to impress people this Christmas.
34. Farinata (Socca)
This 30-minute, five-ingredient flatbread is an Italian favorite. All you need to make it is chickpea flour, water, salt, pepper, and oil. Each slice has just over 100 calories, and you can serve it with anything.
35. Tomato Risotto
I love this creamy risotto recipe, and I know you will, too. It’s perfectly seasoned with oregano, basil, garlic, and onions. And there’s a bright burst of tomato flavor in every bite. The vegan parmesan adds tanginess and cheesiness. And the whole dish is simply delicious. It’s a heartwarming recipe that’ll warm your tummy and stick to your ribs. Somehow, it just tastes better when the weather is cool.
36. Vegan Supplì alla Romana – Fried Stuffed Rice Balls
You probably won’t have any risotto left over. If you do, use it to make these stuffed rice balls. They’re cheesy, risotto-filled balls of deep-fried goodness, and they’re divine. You can pull them together with just six ingredients in about an hour. They’re perfect as appetizers or on-the-go snacks. Pack them in your kid’s lunchbox for an extra special treat.
37. Risi e Bisi (Italian Rice & Peas)
Risi e bisi is such a fun thing to say. It rolls off the tongue and almost sounds like a children’s rhyme. In English, it’s not quite as amusing, as it means rice and peas. Fortunately, it tastes fantastic, no matter what language you’re using. It’s a simple, humble meal that takes 45 minutes to make. Don’t let its simplicity fool you, though. It’s an incredible dish that everyone at the table will enjoy. Click on a star to rate it!
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