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Need an easy vegan pasta recipe for weekdays? This vegan pasta primavera recipe is the perfect meal solution. It’s ready in just 30 minutes and made with simple, healthy plant-based ingredients. 

completed Vegan Pasta Primavera Recipe plated on a white plate

When I need something quick during the week, I reach for pasta! Vegan pasta dishes are ready quickly and there’s no end to the ways to change it up.

If you love pasta too, I think you will enjoy this Spicy Tomato Basil Pasta and Eggplant Pasta. It also works perfectly in soups and salads too!

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Why This Recipe Works

  • Only 30-minutes MAX to prepare. 
  • Perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
  • A hit with all types of eaters! 
  • Kid-friendly pasta dish.
  • Healthy recipe. Packed with lots of healthy plant-based protein and veggies.

What is Pasta Primavera?

The word “primavera” is Italian and means “spring style”. When used in cooking, it’s typically referring to a dish that’s made using fresh vegetables.

Pasta primavera is any pasta dish that is tossed with chopped or sliced vegetables. The sauce and type of pasta can change depending on the recipe.

What Goes Into This Recipe

The grocery store list for pasta primavera is simple and you should be able to pick up most during a visit to your local store. There is a lot of flexibility in this recipe which makes it perfect for using up ingredients you have on hand.

ingredients for Vegan Pasta Primavera Recipe measured out on a white surface
  • Pasta: Any type of pasta works but I really enjoy this recipe with short pasta such as rotini, penne, or bowties.
  • Veggies: Fresh asparagus cooks quickly and is perfect for this quick vegan pasta primavera while cherry or grape tomatoes add a splash of color.
  • Cannellini beans: This classic white bean adds protein and makes this dish heartier and more satisfying.
  • Plant-based milk: Soy, almond, or rice milk are just a few that will work to make pasta primavera vegan.
  • Flavor: Fresh cloves of garlic and freshly squeezed lemon juice add bright bursts of flavor. For the best flavor use fresh!
  • Olive oil: A healthy oil option for making vegan pasta primavera.
  • Cashews: Make sure you use raw, unsalted cashews.
  • For a hint of spice: Crushed red pepper flakes and cayenne

How To Make This Easy Vegan Pasta Recipe

  • 1) Cook the pasta and asparagus. Start by cooking the pasta you are using according to the directions on the package. Add the asparagus to the water during the last three minutes of cooking. When ready, dump into a colander to drain off all the water.
  • 2) Make the creamy vegan alfredo sauce. Combine half the beans, vegan milk, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper in a blender until smooth and creamy. 
  • 3) Transfer this mixture to a medium saucepan and heat over medium heat. 
process shot of adding sauce to a pan
  • 4) Add water and cashews to the blender and blend until creamy. 
  • 5) Add this cream to the saucepan, along with tomatoes, the remaining drained beans, red pepper flakes, and cayenne. Continue heating until the pasta is heated through and ready to serve. 
  • 6) Return the pasta and asparagus to the cooking pot. Add the creamy vegan alfredo sauce. Stir it up and serve. 

Expert Tips and FAQs

  • Al dente pasta. Don’t overcook the pasta so cook just as directed on the package for al dente pasta.
  • Raw unsalted cashews. Make sure you use the right type of cashews. Raw and unsalted will blend up better into a mild flavored cream sauce.
  • Serve up immediately. For the best flavor and texture!
  • Use cannellini beans to puree. This type of bean is creamier than other types of white beans. While you can try this recipe with northern beans or white navy beans, note that the sauce may not be quite as creamy as the cannellini beans. 
What can you substitute for cream or milk to make a creamy sauce vegan?

There are a variety of ingredients that you can use to create a creamy texture in sauces when cooking without dairy. This recipe uses cannellini beans and cashews with excellent results. Other substitutions include soaked almonds, coconut milk, or a roux with olive oil and flour, and add your favorite plant milk.

completed Vegan Pasta Primavera Recipe plated on a white plate

Variations

  • Add a different protein: Top the bowl of pasta with chickpeas, crispy tofu, or some unblended white beans!
  • Change up the sauce: You can easily change up the sauce for a tomato-based sauce or a simple vegan garlic sauce.
  • Change up the veggies: Anything goes when it comes to making vegan pasta primavera. Stir in some chopped spinach or kale at the end, use small broccoli florets instead of asparagus, or add in any type of cooked veggie in the last step!
  • Gluten-free: Use your favorite gluten-free pasta to make a GF vegan pasta primavera.

More Vegan Pasta Recipes

Photos by Alfonso Revilla

completed Vegan Pasta Primavera Recipe plated on a white plate

Vegan Pasta Primavera

5 from 49 votes
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Need an easy vegan pasta recipe for weekdays? This vegan pasta primavera recipe is the perfect meal solution. It’s ready in just 30 minutes and made with simple, healthy plant-based ingredients. 

Ingredients 

  • 16 ounces of your favorite pasta your favorite
  • 1 bunch of asparagus ends trimmed, cut into 1-inch
  • 30 ounces of cannellini beans rinsed, drained, and divided
  • 1 cup of plain soy, almond, or rice milk
  • 5 cloves garlic
  • 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice
  • 1 Tablespoon of olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon of sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup of water
  • ½ cup of raw cashews
  • 2 cups of cherry or grape tomatoes quartered lengthwise
  • 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes
  • A few dashes of cayenne

Instructions 

Pasta:

  • Cook pasta according to the directions on the package. For the last 3 minutes of the pasta cooking, add the asparagus. Drain as usual when finished.

Sauce:

  • Combine in a blender until smooth: 1 can of the beans, plant-based milk, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Transfer to a medium saucepan and heat over medium heat. Next, in the blender, place water and cashews together and blend until creamy. Add this cream to the saucepan, along with tomatoes, the other drained beans, red pepper flakes, and cayenne, and continue to heat until the pasta is ready.

Assembly:

  • Once pasta and asparagus is drained and returned to pot, immediately add sauce mixture to it, stir, and serve.

Notes

  • Al dente pasta. Don’t overcook the pasta so cook just as directed on the package for al dente pasta.
  • Raw unsalted cashews. Make sure you use the right type of cashews. Raw and unsalted will blend up better into a mild flavored cream sauce.
  • Serve up immediately. For the best flavor and texture!
  • Use cannellini beans to puree. This type of bean is creamier than other types of white beans. While you can try this recipe with northern beans or white navy beans, note that the sauce may not be quite as creamy as the cannellini beans. 

Nutrition

Calories: 854kcalCarbohydrates: 146gProtein: 38gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 358mgPotassium: 1845mgFiber: 18gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 1854IUVitamin C: 24mgCalcium: 315mgIron: 12mg

Disclaimer: Although plantbasedonabudget.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Plantbasedonabudget.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: Italian
Method: Stovetop
Diet: Vegan
Tried this recipe?Please tag us at @PlantBasedOnABudget! 🙂
About

Miranda Rivera

Cooking vegan meals brings such excitement and richness to my life! The simple things in life are so beautiful to me. I love meeting new people. Welcome to my plant-based journey!

More about Miranda Rivera

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