Creamy Vegan Pink Pasta 30 Minutes

Rich, savory tomato sauce pairs with vegan cashew cream and noodles for the most comforting bowl of goodness. Just 10 ingredients and 30 minutes required for this weeknight-friendly main or side. Let’s make pasta!

Recipe Inspiration: Penne alla Vodka

This vegan pink pasta was inspired by Female Foodie’s recipe, which was inspired by an Italian restaurant in Newport Beach, California. It’s similar to an Italian-American dish called penne alla vodka made with penne noodles coated in a creamy, tomatoey sauce with vodka added to prevent separation of the cream and tomatoes. The exact origin of penne alla vodka is a bit of a mystery, but it became popular in Italy and the United States around the 1980s. You can learn more about the history of this delicious dish here. The following is an inspired, plant-based version without the vodka or dairy!

How to Make Vegan Pink Pasta

The savory base for this pink pasta sauce is a mix of sautéed onions, garlic, and red pepper flakes. We add crushed tomatoes and tomato paste for their rich flavor and vibrant red color. And then homemade cashew cream for next-level richness and to turn the sauce a beautiful pink hue! The cashew cream is made by blending cashews and water, with nutritional yeast added for a subtle cheesiness that brings it all together. All that’s left to do is add in the noodles, stir to coat, and enjoy! We love topping with fresh basil and vegan parmesan cheese for freshness and even more flavor. We hope you LOVE this pink pasta! It’s:SavorySweetComfortingCheesyVibrant& Quick + easy to prepare! It’s the perfect weeknight entrée any time you’re craving comfort in a bowl! Pair it with your favorite roasted veggies or salad for extra nutrition. It would be especially delicious with our Perfect Roasted Asparagus, Perfect Roasted Cabbage, Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Reduction, or Vegan Caesar Salad with BBQ Sweet Potato Croutons.