If you’re craving a creamy, comforting pasta that looks as delightful as it tastes, you’ve got to try this Healthy Vegan Pink Pasta Recipe. Picture tender pasta coated in a luscious pink sauce made from blended tomatoes and cashews, delivering a velvety texture without a drop of dairy. It’s vibrant, packed with wholesome ingredients, and simply perfect for a nourishing weeknight dinner that feels special yet comes together in a flash. Once you make this, it’s going to be your go-to for satisfying that pasta craving with a healthy twist.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows a white round plate filled with uncooked brown penne pasta on the right side. Above the plate, there is a wooden spoon resting inside a white square dish filled with white salt. To the left of the plate, various ingredients are arranged on a white marbled surface: a bowl filled with white cashews at the top left, a small jar of light yellow oil above it, a small white bowl with red chili powder and a teaspoon resting inside it, and a small bowl filled with yellow nutritional yeast. Below these, there is a red tomato sauce in a white saucepan with a wooden handle on the left side. Fresh green kale leaves and a white ball of fresh mozzarella are placed at the bottom left. There are a few cloves of garlic and some scattered red chili flakes near the center. The colors are bright and natural, with a neat and organized layout that highlights each ingredient clearly. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Every ingredient in this Healthy Vegan Pink Pasta Recipe plays an important role, from creating that creamy, dreamy sauce to adding just the right depth of flavor. These simple staples come together beautifully, making the process straightforward and the results so flavorful.

12 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fusilli): Choose your favorite shape for perfect sauce clinging.
Salt, for pasta water: Essential for seasoning the pasta as it cooks.
1 cup raw cashews (soaked 20–30 minutes): This makes the sauce creamy without dairy.
1 cup canned crushed tomatoes: Adds the vibrant color and rich tomato flavor.
½ cup unsweetened plant milk (almond, oat, or soy): Helps achieve a silky texture.
2 tbsp nutritional yeast: Adds a hint of cheesy, nutty flavor to enhance the sauce.
2 cloves garlic: Brings a punch of savory depth.
1 tbsp olive oil: For richness and to meld all the flavors together.
½ tsp paprika: Adds subtle smokiness and warmth.
½ tsp dried basil or Italian seasoning: Infuses the sauce with classic Italian herbs.
Salt and black pepper, to taste: To perfectly season your pasta and sauce.
½ cup pasta water (as needed): For thinning the sauce to just the right consistency.
Optional add-ins (spinach, roasted red peppers, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil): Brighten up flavors and add texture if you want to customize.

How to Make Healthy Vegan Pink Pasta Recipe

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

First, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your chosen pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Be sure to reserve about ½ cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. This leftover water is liquid gold for loosening the sauce later and helping it coat every bite perfectly.

Step 2: Prepare the Creamy Pink Sauce

While the pasta cooks, combine soaked cashews, crushed tomatoes, plant milk, nutritional yeast, garlic, olive oil, paprika, dried basil, salt, and black pepper in a blender. Blend it all until ridiculously smooth and creamy. This pink sauce is where the magic happens—rich in flavor, dairy-free, and boasting a beautiful rosy hue from the tomatoes and paprika.

Step 3: Warm the Sauce

Pour the blended sauce into a skillet over medium heat. Let it simmer gently for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. This step deepens the flavors and ensures the sauce thickens up nicely, enveloping your pasta with that velvety texture.

Step 4: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Add the cooked pasta straight into the skillet with the pink sauce. Toss everything together to coat every strand or piece thoroughly. If the sauce feels too thick, gradually stir in some of the reserved pasta water to reach your perfect consistency. If you’re adding spinach, roasted red peppers, cherry tomatoes, or fresh basil, stir them in at this point for extra color and flavor.

Step 5: Serve Warm and Enjoy

Your Healthy Vegan Pink Pasta Recipe is ready to be devoured! Serve it warm, straight from the pan, with any additional garnishes you love. Get ready to indulge in a creamy, flavorful dish that’s both wholesome and incredibly satisfying.

How to Serve Healthy Vegan Pink Pasta Recipe

A white bowl filled with pink spaghetti pasta coated in a creamy sauce, the noodles twisted and piled high in the center. A golden fork rests on the side of the bowl, the white marbled surface underneath adding a clean, bright background. The sauce looks smooth and covers the pasta evenly, giving a soft texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

To elevate your Healthy Vegan Pink Pasta Recipe, consider adding fresh herbs like basil or parsley for a burst of freshness. A sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes gives a nice kick, while a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil adds glossy richness. Toasted pine nuts or walnuts also make a delightful crunchy topping.

Side Dishes

This pasta pairs beautifully with crisp green salads tossed in lemon vinaigrette to balance the creamy sauce. Roasted vegetables like asparagus or Brussels sprouts complement it perfectly, adding earthy contrast. For a lighter meal, steamed greens such as kale or broccoli are also fantastic choices.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re serving guests or want to impress, try plating the pasta in a swirl on each plate, topped with an elegant basil leaf. You can also bake it briefly with vegan parmesan on top for a golden crust or serve the sauce over spiralized vegetables for a gluten-free twist on this Healthy Vegan Pink Pasta Recipe.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This pasta keeps really well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store it in an airtight container to preserve its creamy texture and fresh flavor. When you’re ready to eat, just reheat gently so it doesn’t dry out.

Freezing

While the sauce freezes nicely, the pasta may soften more than you like after thawing. If you want to freeze, consider storing the sauce and pasta separately, freezing the sauce in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to 2 months.

Reheating

To reheat, warm the pasta gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of plant milk or pasta water to bring back the sauce’s creaminess. Avoid microwaving for long periods to prevent the sauce from separating or the pasta from becoming mushy.

FAQs

Can I use other nuts instead of cashews?

Cashews offer the creamiest texture, but if you have allergies or preferences, silken tofu works well as a substitute, or blanched almonds can add a slightly different nuttiness. Just keep in mind the sauce’s texture might vary slightly.

Is this pasta recipe gluten-free?

This recipe is naturally vegan and dairy-free but not gluten-free if you use traditional pasta. Swap in gluten-free pasta varieties like rice or chickpea pasta to make it completely gluten-free.

How can I make the sauce spicier?

If you like heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or extra paprika when blending the sauce, or finish with red pepper flakes at serving time. It adds just the right zing without overpowering the creamy balance.

Can I prepare the sauce ahead of time?

Absolutely! The sauce can be blended and refrigerated for up to 2 days ahead, which makes weeknight dinners a breeze. Just warm it up gently before tossing with freshly cooked pasta.

What’s the best pasta shape to use?

Penne, rigatoni, and fusilli all work wonderfully because their ridges and tubes hold onto the pink sauce beautifully. Feel free to get creative with your favorite pasta shapes.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend this Healthy Vegan Pink Pasta Recipe enough for anyone looking to combine wholesome ingredients with irresistible flavor in a comforting meal. It’s quick, creamy, and has a gorgeous, inviting color that will brighten your dinner table and mood alike. Give it a try — your taste buds will thank you!