Creamy Vegan Tomato Pasta Recipe

This creamy vegan tomato pasta is one of those meals I lean on when I want something comforting but uncomplicated.

It’s warm, familiar, and comes together with ingredients I almost always have on hand.

I usually make this on evenings when I want a proper bowl of pasta without spending a lot of time thinking about it. It’s simple, cozy, and very easy to love.

Behind the Recipe

I started making this pasta when I wanted a tomato sauce that felt softer and rounder without using dairy. Adding a small amount of plant-based cream or blended cashews completely changed the texture, turning a basic tomato sauce into something richer while still keeping it light. This version stuck because it’s flexible and forgiving.

Recipe Origin or Trivia

Tomato-based pasta sauces are foundational in many cuisines, especially Italian cooking. Creamy variations often rely on dairy, but plant-based versions use nuts or non-dairy cream to achieve the same smooth, comforting finish without overpowering the tomato flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Comforting and familiar: Classic tomato pasta with a creamy twist
• Fully plant-based: Vegan and dairy-free
• Quick to make: Ready in under 30 minutes
• Flexible ingredients: Easy to adjust richness
• Balanced flavor: Creaminess softens tomato acidity
• Weeknight-friendly: Minimal prep and cleanup
• Crowd-pleasing: Simple flavors everyone enjoys

Chef’s Pro Tips for Perfect Results

• Salt pasta water well: This builds flavor from the start
• Use good tomatoes: Quality canned tomatoes make a difference
• Simmer gently: Prevents bitterness
• Add cream last: Keeps the sauce smooth
• Toss pasta in sauce: Helps it absorb flavor

Ingredients in This Recipe

1. Pasta (12 oz): Spaghetti or any preferred shape
2. Olive oil (1 tbsp): Adds richness and aroma
3. Garlic (2 cloves, minced): Builds savory flavor
4. Crushed tomatoes (14 oz): Forms the sauce base
5. Plant-based cream or blended cashews (1 tbsp): Adds creaminess
6. Salt and pepper (to taste): Balances the sauce
7. Fresh basil (few leaves, chopped): Adds freshness
8. Nutritional yeast (optional): Adds a cheesy note

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

1. Large pot: For boiling pasta
2. Skillet or frying pan: For making the sauce
3. Wooden spoon or spatula: For stirring gently
4. Measuring spoons and cups: Keeps proportions right
5. Blender (optional): For blending cashews if using

Instructions for Making This Recipe

1. Cook pasta: Boil pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain
2. Heat oil: Warm olive oil in a skillet over medium heat
3. Sauté garlic: Add garlic and cook briefly until fragrant
4. Simmer sauce: Add crushed tomatoes and simmer for 10–15 minutes
5. Season: Add salt, pepper, and adjust acidity if needed
6. Add creaminess: Stir in plant-based cream or cashews and simmer briefly
7. Combine: Add cooked pasta to sauce and toss to coat
8. Finish: Sprinkle basil and nutritional yeast, then toss again
9. Serve: Serve hot with extra basil if desired

Ingredient Substitutions

• Pasta: Gluten-free pasta works well
• Plant-based cream: Cashew cream or oat cream
• Crushed tomatoes: Tomato passata or blended canned tomatoes
• Basil: Parsley if basil isn’t available

Ingredient Spotlight

• Crushed Tomatoes: Provide body and gentle acidity
• Plant-Based Cream: Softens the sauce without heaviness

Creamy Vegan Tomato Pasta

This comforting vegan pasta combines pantry staples like canned tomatoes and pasta to create a rich, flavorful sauce. The dish is finished with fresh herbs and optional creamy elements, resulting in a glossy, hearty plate with vibrant color and satisfying texture. It’s a simple, rustic meal perfect for cozy nights or quick weeknight dinners.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

• 12 oz pasta spaghetti or your preferred type
• 1 tbsp olive oil good quality extra virgin
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 14 oz crushed tomatoes canned
• 1 tbsp plant-based cream or blended cashews for added creaminess
• to taste salt and pepper
• a few leaves fresh basil chopped for finishing
• optional to taste nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor

Equipment

• Large Pot
• Skillet or frying pan
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Measuring spoons and cups
• Blender (optional)

Method

 

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add your pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until shimmering and fragrant.
3. Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, until it becomes fragrant and slightly golden.
4. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir well. Let the sauce simmer gently for 10-15 minutes, until it thickens slightly and fills your kitchen with a rich, tangy aroma.
5. Taste the sauce and add salt, pepper, or a pinch of sugar if needed to balance acidity. For extra creaminess, stir in plant-based cream or blended cashews and cook for another 2-3 minutes until smooth and luscious.
6. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the sauce. Let it cook together for another minute so the flavors meld.
7. Sprinkle chopped fresh basil and nutritional yeast over the pasta, then give everything a final toss.
8. Serve the creamy vegan tomato pasta hot, garnished with more basil if desired, and enjoy the comforting, rustic flavors.

Texture & Flavor Secrets

• Silky sauce: Comes from gentle simmering and cream addition
• Balanced acidity: Cream mellows tomato sharpness
• Fresh finish: Basil adds brightness at the end

What to Avoid

• Burning garlic: Turns bitter quickly
• Boiling sauce aggressively: Thickens unevenly
• Adding cream too early: Can dull tomato flavor

Nutrition Facts (Approximate, per serving)

• Calories: 450
• Protein: 11 g
• Fat: 12 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Sodium: 520 mg

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

• Make ahead: Sauce can be prepared a day in advance
• Storage: Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days
• Reheating: Reheat gently with a splash of water

How to Serve This Dish

• As a main: With a simple salad
• With bread: Crusty bread on the side
• For leftovers: Easy next-day lunch

Creative Leftover Transformations

• Baked pasta: Transfer to a dish and bake
• Pasta bowl: Add roasted vegetables
• Stuffed vegetables: Use as filling

Variations to Try

• Spicy tomato pasta: Add chili flakes
• Veggie-loaded: Add mushrooms or spinach
• Garlic-heavy: Increase garlic slightly
• Cashew-only: Skip cream and use cashew blend
• Herb-forward: Add oregano or thyme

FAQs

1. Is this pasta fully vegan? Yes
2. Can I make it gluten-free? Yes, use GF pasta
3. Is nutritional yeast required? No, it’s optional
4. Can I blend the sauce smooth? Yes, if preferred
5. Does it reheat well? Yes, gently
6. Can I freeze the sauce? Yes, freeze sauce only
7. What pasta works best? Spaghetti or penne
8. Is it kid-friendly? Yes, mild and creamy
9. Can I add protein? Chickpeas or lentils work well
10. How creamy should it be? Lightly creamy, not heavy

Anjali Arora

Hi, I’m Anjali Arora, the quietly curious mind behind Landscape Insight. I’ve always been most comfortable in my own space. I’m not great at small talk (it still makes me a little uneasy), and I’ve never been the loudest person in the room. What I have always carried with me, though, are two steady loves that shape how I move through the world: animals and food.