Irresistibly Creamy Vegan Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta: Your Go-To Weeknight Recipe

Prepare to be amazed by this incredible vegan sun-dried tomato pasta recipe, a culinary masterpiece that delivers the luxurious taste of your favorite Italian restaurant right to your kitchen table. Featuring plump, sweet, and wonderfully chewy sun-dried tomatoes, fresh vibrant spinach, and a dreamily creamy sauce, this dish proves that gourmet flavors don’t require hours of effort or a reservation. It’s a surprisingly simple recipe that comes together quickly, making it an ideal choice for a delicious and satisfying weeknight meal that the whole family will adore, whether they’re vegan or not.

This plant-based sun-dried tomato pasta is truly the quintessential weeknight dinner solution. It effortlessly elevates your mealtime with restaurant-quality depth and richness, all while demanding minimal effort from your side. The secret weapon here? Sun-dried tomatoes. These little gems are flavor powerhouses, contributing intense notes of concentrated sweetness and profound umami. Beyond their incredible taste, they add an irresistible chewy texture that beautifully complements the pasta and smooth sauce, creating a truly memorable culinary experience.

One of the most delightful surprises about this recipe is its remarkably short and straightforward ingredient list. Much like our beloved lemon garlic spaghetti, every single component in this dish is carefully selected to play a crucial role. From the aromatic garlic and onions to the rich sun-dried tomatoes and the creamy plant milk, when these humble ingredients are combined, they undergo a transformation, creating a harmonious symphony of flavors and textures that is nothing short of magical. Get ready to discover how simple it is to create such a sophisticated and comforting dish at home, making it a regular feature in your busy schedule.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Vegan Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

This isn’t just another pasta dish; it’s an experience waiting to happen. Here’s why this particular sun-dried tomato pasta recipe will quickly become a cherished favorite in your culinary repertoire:

• Incredibly Creamy, Completely Dairy-Free. Prepare for a rich, luxurious sauce that tastes incredibly indulgent without a drop of traditional cream or dairy products. Our secret lies in creating a simple roux—a blend of vegan butter and flour—combined with the magical starchiness of reserved pasta cooking water. This ingenious method delivers a velvety, thick, and perfectly smooth sauce that clings beautifully to every piece of pasta, offering a truly satisfying mouthfeel that rivals any dairy-based alternative, making it a healthy and flavorful choice.
• Gourmet Restaurant Flavor, Homemade Simplicity. Experience the elevated flavors typically found in upscale eateries, all from the comfort of your own kitchen. The star of the show, sun-dried tomatoes, provides an unparalleled depth of flavor—a concentrated sweetness and robust umami that truly transforms the dish. When harmoniously combined with tender fresh spinach, aromatic fresh parsley, and the savory, cheesy notes of nutritional yeast, each forkful is a revelation, transporting your taste buds to a fine dining experience without the hefty price tag.
• Effortlessly Quick & Perfect for Weeknights. Life is busy, and dinner shouldn’t add to the stress. This recipe is designed for maximum flavor with minimal fuss. Utilizing a straightforward list of readily available ingredients, you can whip up this exquisite pasta dish from start to finish in less than 30 minutes. It’s the ultimate solution for those busy evenings when you crave something special but need it on the table fast, making it the ideal quick vegan dinner.
• Healthy and Wholesome Plant-Based Goodness. Not only is this pasta incredibly delicious, but it’s also packed with wholesome ingredients. Being entirely vegan, it’s lighter yet still incredibly satisfying, making it a fantastic healthy dinner option. It’s a great way to incorporate more vegetables, beneficial fats, and plant-based protein into your diet without sacrificing taste or indulgence.

Essential Ingredients for Your Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

Creating this flavorful vegan sun-dried tomato pasta relies on a selection of simple yet powerful ingredients, each contributing to the dish’s overall success. Below are some notes to help you choose the best components and understand their role in the recipe. You’ll find the precise quantities and full recipe instructions on the detailed recipe card further down.

• Bowtie Pasta (Farfalle): While bowtie pasta is visually appealing and great for catching the creamy sauce, feel free to use any pasta shape you prefer. Penne, fettuccine, rotini, or even spaghetti would work beautifully. The key is to choose a shape that can hold onto the delicious sauce and provide a satisfying bite.
• Vegan Butter: This is crucial for building the base of our rich, dairy-free sauce. Whether you opt for a high-quality store-bought vegan butter or try your hand at homemade vegan butter, ensure it has a good melting consistency and a pleasant, neutral flavor that won’t overpower the other ingredients. It contributes to the luscious texture of the sauce.
• Red Onion: Diced red onion adds a subtle sweetness and a foundational depth of flavor to this dish. When sautéed until translucent, it becomes tender and releases its aromatic compounds, creating a perfect backdrop for the bolder flavors of the sun-dried tomatoes and garlic.
• Salt: Essential for seasoning both the pasta cooking water (which helps flavor the pasta itself) and the sauce. Salt enhances all the other flavors in the dish, making everything taste brighter and more cohesive, so don’t skip it!
• Fresh Garlic: Minced fresh garlic is indispensable for that irresistible aromatic kick. It infuses the oil and butter with its pungent, savory notes, which mellow beautifully as it cooks, adding significant complexity and warmth to the sauce.
• Oil-Packed Sun-Dried Tomatoes: These are the undeniable stars of the dish! Opt for sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, as you’ll be utilizing both the intensely flavorful tomatoes themselves (drained and chopped) and a tablespoon of their infused oil to start the sautéing process. This dual use amplifies the rich, concentrated sweetness and umami that only sun-dried tomatoes can provide.
• All-Purpose Flour: A small amount of all-purpose flour is used to create a roux, which acts as the thickening agent for our wonderfully creamy, dairy-free sauce. It helps to give the sauce body, ensuring it’s not watery and clings perfectly to the pasta. For a gluten-free version, please refer to our variations section!
• Unsweetened, Unflavored Plant Milk: This forms the creamy base for our indulgent sauce. It’s critical to use a plant milk that is unsweetened and unflavored (such as almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk) to ensure it doesn’t interfere with the savory profile of the dish and contributes a neutral creaminess.
• Nutritional Yeast: This ingredient is a game-changer for vegan cooking, providing a distinctly savory, umami-rich, and “cheesy” flavor without any dairy. It’s a key component in achieving that restaurant-quality depth and adding a complex flavor profile to your creamy pasta.
• Baby Spinach: Fresh baby spinach is incorporated at the end, wilting quickly into the warm sauce. It adds a lovely touch of bright color, refreshing flavor, and a significant boost of nutrients without requiring extensive cooking time. Its mild flavor pairs perfectly with the bold sun-dried tomatoes.
• Fresh Parsley: A final flourish of chopped fresh parsley not only adds a burst of vibrant green color and a visually appealing garnish but also a fresh, herbaceous counterpoint that brightens the entire dish before serving, cutting through the richness of the sauce.

Step-by-Step: Crafting Your Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

Making this exceptional vegan pasta is surprisingly straightforward and enjoyable. Follow these simple steps to bring this restaurant-quality dish to life in your kitchen, even on the busiest weeknights:

• Cook Your Pasta to Perfection: Begin by bringing a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Adding salt to the water is crucial as it infuses flavor directly into the pasta. Add your chosen pasta (bowtie works wonderfully here, but any shape is fine) and cook according to the package directions until it reaches a perfect al dente texture – firm to the bite, but not hard. Before draining, make sure to reserve about 1 cup of the starchy cooking water. This ‘liquid gold’ is essential for achieving the perfect consistency in your sauce later on. Once reserved, drain the pasta thoroughly and set it aside.
• Sauté the Aromatic Veggies: While your pasta is happily cooking, grab a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or a Dutch oven and place it over medium heat. Melt the vegan butter, then add the reserved oil from your sun-dried tomato jar. This infused oil provides an immediate boost of umami and depth to your sauce base. Add the finely diced red onion to the skillet, season lightly with salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes beautifully translucent and tender, usually about 5-7 minutes. Next, stir in the minced garlic and cook for just about 30-60 seconds until it releases its incredibly fragrant aroma – be careful not to burn it, as burnt garlic can taste bitter! Finally, add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and sauté for another minute, allowing their intense flavors to meld beautifully with the aromatics.

• Craft the Creamy Sauce: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the sautéed vegetables and stir constantly for about 1 minute. This step is crucial for cooking out the raw flour taste and ensuring a perfectly smooth and flavorful sauce base. Next, gradually whisk in the plant milk, a little at a time, to avoid lumps and create a perfectly smooth base. Continue whisking until all the milk is incorporated and the mixture is cohesive. Once all the milk is in, reduce the heat to low and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce visibly thickens to a luscious, spoon-coating consistency. Now, stir in the nutritional yeast for that signature savory, cheesy flavor and add the fresh baby spinach. Cook, stirring gently, until the spinach has completely wilted into the sauce, its vibrant green contrasting beautifully with the rich red of the tomatoes. Remove the skillet from the heat.
• Combine and Serve: Add the cooked and drained pasta directly into the skillet with your warm, creamy sun-dried tomato sauce. Toss everything together thoroughly, using tongs or a large spoon, ensuring every single strand and piece of pasta is beautifully coated with the luscious sauce. If the sauce appears too thick or isn’t adhering well to the pasta, gradually add some of the reserved pasta cooking water, a splash at a time, until you achieve your desired consistency. This starchy water helps the sauce emulsify and cling perfectly to the noodles, enhancing the overall texture.
• Garnish and Enjoy: Divide the warm, perfectly coated pasta into individual plates or bowls. Finish each serving with a generous sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley for a burst of fresh flavor, herbaceous aroma, and vibrant green color. Serve immediately and savor the incredible homemade taste of this gourmet vegan dish!

Expert Tips for the Perfect Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

Achieving a truly outstanding creamy vegan sun-dried tomato pasta is easier than you think, especially when you keep these key tips in mind. These small details can make a big difference in the final taste and texture of your dish:

• Always Reserve Pasta Cooking Water: This is perhaps the most critical tip for any pasta dish with a creamy sauce. The water in which the pasta cooks becomes wonderfully starchy, containing emulsified starches from the pasta. Adding this starchy liquid to your sauce not only helps to emulsify it, making it incredibly smooth and luxurious, but also allows the sauce to beautifully adhere to every single noodle, creating that perfect restaurant-style coating. Don’t underestimate its power!
• Thoroughly Cook the Flour in the Roux: When you add the flour to the melted vegan butter and sun-dried tomato oil to create your roux, it’s absolutely essential to cook it for at least a minute, stirring constantly, until it turns a light golden brown and smells slightly nutty. This process is called cooking out the raw flour. If you rush this step and add the plant milk too soon, your sauce might end up with an unpleasant raw flour taste, which can detract significantly from the overall deliciousness of your sun-dried tomato pasta.
• Cook Pasta to Al Dente: Remember that your pasta will continue to cook slightly when it’s tossed with the warm sauce and absorbs some of the liquid. To prevent your pasta from becoming mushy and losing its desired texture, always aim to cook it “al dente” – meaning it should be firm to the bite with a slight resistance in the center. This ensures your final dish has a pleasant chew and the pasta doesn’t become overcooked.
• Taste and Adjust Seasoning as You Go: Don’t be afraid to taste your sauce at various stages of cooking. Season the onions with salt, and once the sauce has thickened, taste it again before serving. Nutritional yeast and sun-dried tomatoes bring a lot of flavor, but you might need an extra pinch of salt, a grind of fresh black pepper, or even a tiny squeeze of lemon juice (optional, but lovely!) to really make the flavors pop and balance everything out.
• Chop Sun-Dried Tomatoes Evenly: For a consistent texture and flavor distribution throughout the dish, make sure to chop your drained sun-dried tomatoes into roughly even, bite-sized pieces. This ensures you get a delightful burst of their intense, sweet-savory flavor in every mouthful, rather than large, overwhelming chunks or too-small pieces that get lost.

Exciting Variations for Your Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

While this creamy vegan sun-dried tomato pasta is perfect as is, it’s also incredibly versatile! Feel free to customize it to your taste or dietary needs with these delicious and simple variations, making it your own signature dish:

• Boost the Protein Content: If you’re looking to make this a more substantial and filling meal, incorporating a plant-based protein is a fantastic idea. Sautéed strips of your favorite store-bought vegan chicken, hearty cannellini (white) beans, or protein-packed chickpeas can be added along with the sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce. Firm or extra-firm tofu or tempeh, pressed, cubed, and then pan-fried until golden, also makes a wonderful addition, providing a satisfying texture.
• Extra Cheesy Indulgence: For those who crave an even more pronounced cheesy flavor without dairy, there are several delicious avenues to explore. You can stir in an extra tablespoon or two of nutritional yeast with the spinach, or for a more gourmet touch, serve each plate of pasta with a generous sprinkle of grated plant-based Parmesan cheese. Our homemade vegan Parmesan cheese recipe is an excellent option for this!
• Pile on More Veggies: This recipe is a wonderful canvas for additional vegetables. Consider sautéing sliced mushrooms (cremini or button) with the onions for an earthy depth, adding steamed broccoli florets or blanched asparagus tips for extra green goodness and a slight crunch, or incorporating diced zucchini or bell peppers for a fresh crunch and vibrant color. You could even roast some cherry tomatoes separately and stir them in at the end for an extra burst of fresh tomato flavor.
• Turn Up the Heat: If you enjoy a little spice in your life and want to add a kick to your creamy pasta, a pinch (or more!) of red pepper flakes added with the garlic will introduce a delightful warmth to the sauce. Adjust to your preferred level of heat for a spicy sun-dried tomato pasta that will awaken your taste buds.
• Make it Gluten-Free Friendly: Adapting this recipe for a gluten-free diet is simple and yields equally delicious results. Just substitute the regular pasta with your preferred brand of certified gluten-free pasta (ensure it’s labeled GF). For the roux, use a measure-for-measure gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour. The cooking method remains the same, ensuring everyone can enjoy this delicious and inclusive dish.
• Add Fresh Herbs Beyond Parsley: While fresh parsley provides a lovely and classic freshness, consider experimenting with other fresh herbs. Fresh basil, torn or chopped, stirred in at the very end, adds a quintessential Italian aroma and flavor, or a touch of fresh oregano can deepen the savory notes and enhance the Mediterranean feel of the dish.

Perfect Pairings for Your Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

This rich and flavorful vegan sun-dried tomato pasta stands beautifully on its own as a complete meal, but pairing it with the right side dishes can elevate your dining experience even further. Here are some delightful suggestions to complete your meal:

• Light & Refreshing Salad: To balance the richness of the creamy pasta, serve it alongside a crisp, simple green salad. A mix of fresh greens like peppery arugula, delicate mixed baby greens, or crunchy romaine tossed with a light vinaigrette or our luscious creamy vegan avocado dressing provides a refreshing contrast. The acidity and freshness will cut through the creamy sauce beautifully, cleansing the palate.
• Crusty Garlic Bread: For those who love to soak up every last drop of delicious sauce (and who doesn’t?), homemade roasted garlic bread or a warm, crusty baguette is an absolute must. The savory, buttery bread is the perfect accompaniment to scoop up any remaining creamy goodness from your bowl, ensuring no flavor goes to waste.
• Steamed or Roasted Vegetables: Lightly steamed or roasted vegetables can add extra nutrients, fiber, and a lovely textural contrast to the meal. Think bright green asparagus, tender green beans, or perfectly roasted Brussels sprouts or broccoli florets. Season them simply with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to complement the pasta without overpowering its bold flavors.
• A Simple Soup: For a heartier meal, especially on a chilly evening, consider starting with a light vegan soup. A clear vegetable broth with finely diced vegetables or a simple, smooth tomato soup can be a wonderful and comforting prelude to the main course, building anticipation for the pasta.

Storing and Reheating Your Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

This delicious pasta is fantastic when enjoyed fresh, but it also makes for wonderful leftovers with proper storage and reheating techniques, ensuring you can savor its flavors for days:

To Store: Any leftover sun-dried tomato pasta should be transferred to an airtight container and refrigerated promptly within two hours of cooking. It will maintain its optimal quality and flavor for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. This makes it an excellent and convenient option for meal prepping healthy and delicious lunches or dinners throughout the week, saving you time and effort.

To Reheat: When you’re ready to enjoy your leftovers, reheat them gently to preserve the creamy texture. You can warm the pasta in the microwave in short intervals (e.g., 60-90 seconds at a time), stirring occasionally to ensure even heating. Alternatively, reheat it on the stovetop over low heat in a skillet. As the sauce may thicken significantly in the refrigerator, we highly recommend adding a splash of unsweetened plant milk or a bit of the reserved pasta water during reheating. This will help loosen the sauce, bring back its original creamy, luscious texture, and prevent the pasta from drying out.

Can I Freeze This Recipe?

While many dishes freeze beautifully, it’s important to note that freezing pasta can sometimes alter the texture of the noodles, making them a bit softer or mushier upon thawing and reheating. The creamy sauce, being plant-based, generally holds up well. If you don’t mind this slight change in pasta texture, then yes, you can absolutely freeze sun-dried tomato pasta! Simply allow the cooked pasta to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight, freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag, ensuring as much air is removed as possible to prevent freezer burn. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To enjoy frozen leftovers, first allow the pasta to thaw completely in the refrigerator overnight. This slow thawing helps maintain a better texture. Once thawed, reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, following the same reheating instructions as detailed above. Remember to add a little plant milk or reserved pasta water to bring back that signature creaminess and help the sauce re-emulsify.

Explore More Delicious Vegan Pasta Recipes

If you loved this creamy sun-dried tomato pasta, we know you’ll enjoy these other fantastic plant-based pasta dishes from our kitchen:

• Creamy Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta
• Spicy Vegan Cajun Chicken Pasta
• Savory Miso Butter Pasta
• Indulgent Creamy Garlic Mushroom Pasta
• Vibrant Green Goddess Pasta

We truly hope you enjoy creating and savoring this incredible creamy vegan sun-dried tomato pasta as much as we do! It’s a recipe designed to bring gourmet flavors and comforting warmth to your table with ease. If you whip up this delightful dish, we would absolutely love to see your culinary creations!

Please take a moment to snap a photo and share it with us by tagging #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram. Your beautiful photos inspire us and help our community grow! Your feedback is also incredibly valuable. After you’ve tried this recipe, we’d be thrilled if you would take a moment to leave a comment below and give the recipe a rating. Sharing your experience helps other home cooks discover and enjoy this fantastic plant-based meal, making it easier for everyone to find delicious vegan options. Thank you so much for your support and happy cooking!

Creamy Vegan Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta

Servings: 4 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 25 minutes mins

This creamy vegan sun-dried tomato pasta with spinach is an easy, restaurant-style dinner that you can effortlessly make at home in under 30 minutes!

5 (from 7 ratings)

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Ingredients

• 12 ounces bowtie pasta, 340 grams (or your preferred pasta shape)
• 3 tablespoons vegan butter, 42 grams (high quality, unsalted)
• 1 tablespoon oil from sun-dried tomato jar, 15 ml (for extra flavor)
• 1 red onion, diced (adds a sweet, aromatic base)
• 1 teaspoon salt, 6 grams (or to taste)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced (for aromatic depth)
• 1 ½ cups oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped, 180 grams (the star of the dish!)
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 21 grams (for thickening the sauce)
• 2 cups unsweetened plant milk, 473 ml (almond, soy, or oat works well)
• ¼ cup nutritional yeast, 15 grams (for cheesy, umami flavor)
• 2 cups baby spinach, 60 grams (freshness and nutrients)
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley, 15 grams (for garnish and fresh flavor)

Instructions 

• Cook the pasta according to the package’s instructions in a large pot of generously salted water until al dente. Importantly, remember to reserve 1 cup (237 ml) of the starchy pasta cooking water before draining the pasta thoroughly.
• While the pasta is cooking, melt the vegan butter in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Add the sun-dried tomato oil from the jar. Stir in the diced red onion, season with a pinch of salt, and sauté until the onion becomes beautifully translucent and tender, approximately 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30-60 seconds until fragrant, then stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and sauté for just 1 minute more to combine flavors.
• Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the sautéed vegetables and stir constantly for 1 minute to cook out the raw flour taste. Gradually whisk in the unsweetened plant milk until smooth. Reduce the heat to low and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce has thickened to a luscious consistency. Stir in the nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor and add the baby spinach. Cook, stirring frequently, until the spinach has completely wilted into the sauce. Remove the skillet from the heat.
• Add the cooked pasta directly into the sauce in the skillet. Stir thoroughly until the sauce coats every noodle evenly. If the sauce is too thick or isn’t adhering well to the pasta, stir in some of the reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup (59 ml) at a time, until you reach your desired creamy consistency.
• Divide the creamy sun-dried tomato pasta into plates or bowls, garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley, and serve warm immediately. Enjoy your restaurant-quality vegan meal!

Notes

To store: Transfer any leftover creamy vegan sun-dried tomato pasta to an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 4 days. When reheating, add a splash of plant milk or reserved pasta water to restore its creamy texture.

To freeze: Freezing pasta can sometimes make it a bit mushy, but if you don’t mind this, you can freeze sun-dried tomato pasta in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw it completely in the refrigerator before reheating according to the instructions above, adding liquid as needed.

Calories: 616kcal, Carbohydrates: 100g, Protein: 23g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.04g, Sodium: 773mg, Potassium: 1986mg, Fiber: 10g, Sugar: 22g, Vitamin A: 2948IU, Vitamin C: 36mg, Calcium: 259mg, Iron: 7mg

Disclaimer: Although jessicainthekitchen.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. Jessicainthekitchen.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.

Cuisine: Italian

Course: Dinner, Main Course, Weeknight Meal

Author: Jessica Hylton