12 Delicious Vegetarian Pasta Recipes

Pasta is undeniably one of Italy’s greatest gifts to the world. Simple, versatile, and oh-so-delicious, it’s no surprise pasta dishes have become a weeknight staple for families all over the UK. So, as we all look to do our bit for the planet and cut back on our meat intake, our team at Murati’s thought now is the perfect time to walk you through our top 12 vegetarian pasta recipes. As the go-to Italian restaurant in Milton Keynes, we know a thing or two about pasta, so let’s dig in!

Vegetarian Pasta Recipes To Try At Home

Whether you’re vegetarian, flexitarian, or just fancy a change to meat-based meals, these pasta recipes are sure to get your mouth-watering and belly rumbling. We’ve included recipes varying in complexity and cooking time, so whatever your cooking experience or time constraints, we’ve got you covered.

• Quick Vegetarian Pasta Recipes
• One-Pot Vegetarian Pasta Recipes
• Slow Cook Vegetarian Pasta Recipes

Quick Vegetarian Pasta Recipes

If all of this pasta talk has got you craving the flavours of Italy, you’re in luck. These quick vegetarian pasta recipes can be on a plate and in your tummy in under 30 minutes. Choose your favourite from our selection below and get cooking!

Marry Me Pasta

A dish that tastes so good it’s enough to convince someone to propose to you! Marry Me Pasta is quick, creamy, and as comforting as it gets. It only consists of a few ingredients and can be put together in just 15 minutes, so it’s perfect for those lazy weeknight dinners. The key to this dish is to use fresh cherry tomatoes instead of chopped tomatoes. As you fry them down, they’ll release their sweet juices that form the base of this dish. Add a few chilli flakes for that extra kick, and mix in your aromatic basil leaves for a restaurant-quality dish with minimal effort.

Sweet Leek Carbonara

This delicious variation on one of the all-time classic pasta recipes is sure to become a family favourite. Leeks are often under-appreciated, but in this sweet leek carbonara, they’re the star of the show. As with any carbonara, the cooking times are crucial, so make sure you’ve got all of your ingredients prepped before you start cooking. Once plated up, crack over plenty of black pepper to achieve that famous carbonara flavour. Alternatively, if you’re looking to make the real thing, check out our guide explaining how to make the perfect spaghetti carbonara.

Gochujang Linguine

While pasta is as Italian as it gets, other cultures from around the world have put their own twist on it, creating some delicious dishes in the process. This Korean-inspired recipe uses gochujang, a thick paste made from soybeans and red chilli peppers, to create a pasta that’s as flavoursome as it gets. Remember to swap the parmesan for a veggie alternative and top with some breadcrumbs for an added crunch.

Pasta Puttanesca

Puttanesca is super easy because it isn’t reliant on fresh ingredients for its flavour. The olives and capers combine with the rich tomatoes for a deep, salty flavour. By letting the spaghetti finish cooking in the sauce, you’re locking in those deep flavours and creating a glossy finish. This dish is packed with flavour, so it doesn’t require a sprinkling of cheese on top; instead, just scatter over some of that pungent parsley.

One-Pot Vegetarian Pasta Recipes

If you’re looking for maximum flavour with minimal clean-up, these one-pot recipes will be right up your street. A one-pot vegetarian pasta recipe involves cooking the pasta in the broth and juices of your other ingredients, infusing it with the flavours of the dish. You’ll be dishing up restaurant-quality meals, so let’s not tell anyone you chucked it all in one pot and sat in front of the telly!

Tomato Orzo

If you haven’t tried orzo before, you’re missing out! It’s a small rice-shaped pasta that is absolutely perfect for one-pot dishes. In this recipe by Ela Vegan, you’ll fry your onions, garlic, and tomatoes before adding the orzo, vegetable stock, and coconut milk. Super simple yet super flavoursome, this dish requires very little prep, and you are free to add any other ingredients you’re craving. We’re always keen to add a little wine wherever we can, and it adds a crisp edge to this dish.

Creamy Mushroom Spaghetti

We’re mushrooms’ biggest fans because they take on whatever flavour you want them to. Not only that, but they’re also highly nutritious and packed with health benefits. Mushrooms contain selenium, vitamin D and vitamin B6, all of which are key for supporting your immune system. In this recipe by The Happy Pear, you’ll combine mushrooms, white wine, and cream to create a rich, deep dish. To serve, top with some fresh thyme and lemon juice and tuck in. Alternatively, if you’re craving a creamy mushroom pasta but don’t want the hassle of prepping it yourself, visit our restaurant in Newport Pagnell and try our truffle and mushroom mafaldine.

Hearty Chickpea Rigatoni

Chickpeas have well and truly earned their reputation as a superfood. They’re a complete protein (containing all nine essential amino acids), a fantastic source of fibre, iron, and potassium, and not to mention they taste delicious! This dish features the traditional ingredients of a ragu sauce, but the chickpeas replace what would usually be beef or pork mince. It’s a warming and hearty pasta recipe, perfect for an easy weeknight dinner in the colder months.

Creamy Green Linguine

Take the term ‘eat your greens’ as literally as possible with this creamy green linguine that can be ready to enjoy in just 10 minutes. Despite its simplicity, this dish is packed with flavour thanks to the combination of spinach, broccoli, and pecorino cheese. In fact, you can add whatever green veg you’ve got in the fridge and it’s likely to enhance the flavour. We love adding peas to this dish for that extra sweetness. Be sure to mix the egg and pecorino quickly once the pasta has been taken off the boil to avoid scrambling the eggs.

Slow Cook Vegetarian Pasta Recipes

If you’re not under any time constraints, you’re in the perfect position to maximise the flavour in your pasta recipes. Cooking low and slow is the best way to create a rich meal with deep flavours. Try out these slow-cooked vegetarian pasta recipes that are sure to impress whoever you’re cooking for.

Creamy Courgette Spaghetti

Courgettes don’t get enough appreciation for our liking, and that may be because not enough people know how to cook them properly. When cooked over low heat for a longer period of time, sliced courgettes become jammy and bursting with flavour. In this recipe, the courgettes form the base of a sauce consisting of basil, lemon, cream cheese and pasta water. Mix through your pasta, and be sure to top with pine nuts for an extra earthy finish.

Chilli Mac

Don’t knock this one before you try it. In this recipe by Kristine’s Kitchen, she’s combined two widely loved dishes – chilli and pasta! While it might take a few hours in the slow cooker, it requires minimal prep and can be left to its own devices once it’s cooking. Once the vegetables are cooked, stir in the pasta and cook for another 20 minutes. Top with cheese, and enjoy!

Veggie Bolognese

It wouldn’t be a list of our favourite pasta recipes without a bolognese! This vegetarian twist on the classic by Slow Cooker Veggie Bolognese uses lentils to provide the rich protein you’d usually get with beef mince. One of the best things about bolognese is that you can make loads and freeze it for those evenings you can’t be bothered to leave the couch. Be sure to top your meal with pecorino cheese, fresh basil, and a drizzle of olive oil for the true Italian experience!

Viral Tomato And Feta Pasta

Remember the tomato and baked feta pasta that took TikTok by storm? Well, it’s just as tasty when made in a slow cooker. All you need to do is put cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, oregano, basil, garlic, and balsamic vinegar in the pot and let the slow cooker work its magic. After a couple of hours, blend the ingredients together, add your cooked pasta, and dish it up.

Grubs Up!

There you have it: 12 delicious vegetarian pasta recipes for you to try at home. From creamy mushrooms to hearty chickpeas, there’s something for everyone on this list, so give them a go. And if you’ve got room for more, why not round out your meal with our 11 traditional Italian dessert recipes?

Or, if you’re not in the mood for cooking at all, head to Murati’s for some of the tastiest pasta and pizza in Milton Keynes. Book a table and enjoy our lively atmosphere, or order a takeaway and enjoy a taste of Italy from the comfort of your own home. We look forward to you dining with us!