If you’re searching for the ultimate easy vegan one pot pasta that’s creamy, garlicky, and soul-satisfying—you’ve landed on the perfect recipe. This One-Pot Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta checks every box: pantry-friendly, fast, budget-conscious, and secretly gourmet. The toasted pasta technique adds next-level depth and texture, and the combo of vegan butter, garlic, tomato paste, and dairy-free Parmesan transforms into the silkiest, most luscious sauce. No dairy. No cream. No drama. Just one pot and full-flavored, cozy vegan comfort in under 30 minutes.
🌿 Why You’ll Love This Toasted One-Pot Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta
- One pan = way less cleanup
- Toasting pasta adds a deep, nutty flavor
- 100% vegan, dairy-free, and soy-free
- Budget- and beginner-friendly
- Elevated flavor, simple ingredients
This is one of those weeknight wonders you’ll come back to again and again.
👩🍳 How to Make Toasted One-Pot Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta
Here’s a quick and simple rundown of how this dish comes together. No need to fuss with extra pots or draining pasta—everything happens in one pan!
🧀 Substitutions & Swaps for Toasted One-Pot Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta
No vegan butter? Use olive oil or a splash of plant cream (like oat or soy).
No vegan Parmesan? Try nutritional yeast or a spoonful of blended cashew cream.
Gluten-free? Use a GF short pasta, but monitor closely—it cooks faster and can break easily.
No avocado oil? Use olive oil or another high-smoke-point neutral oil.
🥬 Add-Ins to Boost Your Toasted One-Pot Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta
Want to make it more filling or nutrient-packed? Here are some dreamy add-ons:
- Baby spinach or kale
- Chickpeas or white beans
- Sun-dried tomatoes for more umami
- Roasted red peppers for color and sweetness
🥡 Storage Tips
If you somehow end up with leftovers (we won’t judge 😏), here’s how to store them:
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for 2–3 days.
- Reheating: Warm on the stove or microwave with a splash of water or plant milk to revive the creaminess.
Freezer? Not recommended—the sauce texture changes when frozen and reheated.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can skip the oil and toast the pasta dry (though it won’t get as golden). Use water instead of vegan butter to finish, but know the sauce will be less rich.
Short pastas like penne, rigatoni, fusilli, or shells are perfect for catching the creamy sauce.
Yes, but it’s best fresh. For meal prep, slightly undercook the pasta and reheat with a little extra broth or plant milk.
💬 Final Thoughts on Toasted One-Pot Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta
This dairy-free tomato pasta recipe is the definition of weeknight winner. It proves that you don’t need heavy cream or cheese to create a luscious, flavorful pasta dish.
Toasted One-Pot Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta
Equipment
- Medium pot or deep sauté pan
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife and Cutting Board
Ingredients
- 2 cups dry penne
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 2-3 tbsp vegan butter or regular
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- ¼ cup finely grated vegan Parmesan or regular
- 1 pinch chili flakes optional
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley to garnish
Instructions
- Toast the pasta: Heat the avocado oil in a wide skillet over medium heat. Add the dry penne in a single layer and toast, stirring frequently, until the pasta is deep golden brown, 5–7 minutes. Do not let it burn.
- Cook in broth: Pour in the vegetable broth and immediately cover the pan. Reduce heat to medium‑low and simmer for 8–10 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Add flavorings: Uncover the pan. Stir in the butter,minced garlic, and chili flakes (if using). Cook for 30–60 seconds until the butter melts and the garlic is fragrant.
- Make the sauce: Stir in the tomato paste and grated Parmesan and mix until the sauce looks glossy and creamy.
- Adjust seasoning: If the sauce is too thick, add hot water 1 Tbsp at a time until it reaches a silky consistency. Season with black pepper and add salt only if needed.
- Serve: Divide the pasta between warm bowls. Top with extra Parmesan and chopped parsley. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Plus, it’s adaptable to whatever you’ve got on hand, endlessly cozy, and always a hit with vegans and non-vegans alike.
Easy and delicious!
Yess!! so good 🙂 thank you😊