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25 Vegetarian Pastas That Make Dinnertime a Breeze

August 10, 2022
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Whether fresh or frozen, veggies are an easy way to punch up simple pasta.

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Hearty, Wholesome and Delicious

Pasta is one of those ingredients that we always have on hand in the pantry. And, although it works beautifully as a simple dish, it can be made even tastier with the addition of your favorite vegetables. Better yet, whether fresh or frozen, vegetables like kale, spinach, zucchini and carrots all shine when combined with pasta and a light drizzle of sauce — making it easy to get a satisfying vegetarian option on the table any night of the week. With so many great recipes, where do you start? We recommend this delicious baked pasta. It’s a wonderful Sunday dinner since it calls for homemade marinara. Simply let crushed tomatoes simmer with flavorful seasonings like fennel seeds, garlic, salt, pepper and torn basil and in a few minutes you’ll have a sauce that tastes like it took all day to make — and be well on your way to a dinner that’s sure to please.

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Rigatoni with Vegetable Bolognese

Bolognese sauce is a pasta staple, so we love this recipe that puts a vegetarian spin on the classic. Assorted mushrooms take the place of meat, and they add a rich, hearty texture to the flavorful tomato sauce.

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Photo: Christopher Testani
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Roasted Vegetable Pasta

Roasted vegetables are the perfect way to pack nutrients into this delicious pasta. Made with roasted zucchini, asparagus, onions and tomatoes, it’s a healthy and versatile meal that can easily be swapped with whatever vegetables you have on hand. Cook the linguine until al dente and serve with grated pecorino romano.

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Loaded Veggie Pasta

A white wine and garlic sauce is the perfect base for this dish that uses gemelli pasta and fresh vegetables. Parmesan and torn basil add extra flavor, and chili flakes add just the right amount of spice.

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Genovese Pasta Salad

Roasted potatoes are a typical side dish, but they play a starring role in this Genovese pasta salad recipe. Roast the red-skinned potatoes with olive oil, salt and pepper until golden and crispy, then toss with roasted green beans and pasta. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, then serve with shaved parmesan.

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Photo: Tara Donne
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Spaghetti and No-Meat Balls

Everybody knows that spaghetti and meatballs are a classic, but this vegetarian spin uses tofu and mushrooms instead of meat. The no-meat balls get tossed in a simple, homemade tomato sauce and served over tender spaghetti.

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Squash and Spinach Lasagna

No pasta collection would be complete without a lasagna recipe , and we love this recipe that swaps in squash and spinach instead of meat. It’s the perfect main dish for weeknights or special occasions alike. Melty cheese adds richness to a healthy and nourishing entree.

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Whole-Wheat Spaghetti with Swiss Chard and Pecorino Cheese

Looking for a recipe to use up the rest of a bottle of wine? This whole wheat spaghetti needs just a quarter cup of dry white wine to punch up swiss chard and diced tomatoes. Garlic and kalamata olives add complexity while red pepper flakes add just the right amount of heat.

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Grilled Summer Vegetable Pasta

Summer vegetables just taste better when grilled. In this recipe, zucchini, squash and bell peppers get grilled and sliced then tossed with penne pasta. Whole canned tomatoes, olive oil and garlic act as a base for the simple sauce, all of which gets topped with fresh basil and grated parmesan.

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Photo: Matt Armendariz ©
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Kale and Pistachio Pesto Spaghetti

Pesto gets a hearty upgrade with this recipe that swaps in nourishing kale and earthy pistachios. Although it’s a delightful topping on spaghetti, this is an easy sauce to keep in your freezer for any night of the week — it’s just as delicious on tofu or flatbread.

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Pasta with Vegetable "Bolognese"

Tortellinis are like little pillows of flavor. This recipe lets them shine with the addition of a veggie-based bolognese sauce. It all comes together in under an hour, and can easily be prepped in advance and stored in the freezer for busy weeknights.

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Photo: Tara Donne
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Penne with Roasted Tomatoes, Garlic, and White Beans

This delightfully simple recipe requires only a handful of ingredients, and most of them you probably already have at home. Roasting the tomatoes and garlic lets them take on a deeper, more caramelized flavor. Toss with penne pasta and garnish with parmesan cheese and torn basil.

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Photo: Lucy Schaeffer
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Summer Pasta Salad

This pasta salad utilizes the freshest summer produce, so it’s a delicious dish to serve at a backyard party. It’s a super easy recipe that serves a crowd. For best results, make it ahead of time to let the juices marinate.

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Baked Penne with Roasted Vegetables

For an easy, low maintenance dinner that gets baked in the oven, try this penne with roasted vegetables. Fontina, mozzarella and parmesan melt together with marinara sauce for a flavorful meal. Pro tip? Prep this in advance and pop in the freezer for an easy weeknight meal.

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Photo: Armando Rafael
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Mediterranean Pasta Salad

Last-minute get-togethers require quick and easy recipes. If you’re short on time, turn to this Mediterranean pasta salad that can be ready in just 35 minutes. Bell peppers, cucumber, chickpeas and feta are the perfect accoutrements to dress up a light and flavorful salad.

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Photo: Antonis Achilleos Prop Stylist: Marina Malchin 917 751 2855
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Sicilian Cauliflower Pasta

For a nutritious, hearty meal that can be on the table in just 30 minutes, try this cauliflower pasta. Fresh herbs like dill and parsley add just the right amount of earthy flavor, while golden raisins add a touch of sweetness. It’s the perfect light pasta for summer, but it can be just as enjoyable any time of year.

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Primavera Pasta Salad

Creamy pasta salad is a summer staple, and this one is loaded with veggies for extra crunch. It’s the perfect dish to serve at a backyard barbecue and is designed to feed a crowd. This is best served chilled, so prep it ahead of time and let all the flavors marinate in the refrigerator before your next party.

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Roasted-Pepper Pasta Salad

For a super-simple recipe that can be on the table in just 30 minutes, turn to a jar of roasted red peppers. These sweet, juicy and tender peppers can transform plain pasta into a flavorful dish. Add garlic, lemon juice and torn basil, then toss in mini mozzarella balls.

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Cajun Veggie Pasta

Cajun spices steal the show in this pasta salad recipe. It’s creamy, spicy and packed with hearty vegetables. Ready in just 35 minutes, it’s a delicious dinner option for a busy weeknight.

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Broccoli-Walnut Pesto With Pasta

Looking for a way to add extra nutrients to your pasta sauce? Try broccoli pesto! Chunky and flavorful, this is an easy way to sneak some veggies into dinnertime. Chopped walnuts are the perfect crunchy topping, and grated parmesan adds cheesy goodness.

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Pasta Primavera

Spring vegetables are the perfect addition to a light pasta dish. In this recipe, carrots, zucchini, bell peppers and cherry tomatoes transform plain farfalle into a full, nourishing meal. Serve it for lunch, dinner or a side salad at your next backyard barbecue. Either way, this dish is a crowd favorite that will please a variety of different palates.

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Broccoli Cheddar Mac 'n' Cheese

This famous soup combination combines with pasta for a fun spin on traditional mac and cheese. Broccoli adds rich and hearty crunch to decadent mac and cheese, so it’s an easy way to sneak in some vegetables to this kid-favorite meal.

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Photo: Armando Rafael
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Greek Pasta Salad with Feta and Olives

Greek pasta salad is an easy and flavorful side dish but it can also serve as a filling and complex accompaniment. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a barbecue or potluck party.

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Photo: Antonis Achilleos
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Lightened-Up Mac and Cheese

Everybody loves mac and cheese, and this recipe is a lightened-up version of the classic. It’s perfect as a side dish or the main entree, because chopped herbs add complexity of flavor to the rich and cheesy dish.

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Radicchio-Pasta Salad

Not your average pasta salad, this recipe is extra bold and bright. Radicchio can be bitter, so the orange-oregano dressing in this recipe adds just the right amount of sweetness.

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