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Home » Pasta Recipe » Vegan One-Pot Pasta with Marinara Sauce: A Perfect Weeknight Meal in 30 Minutes

The Best Vegan One-Pot Pasta with Marinara Sauce: A Simple, Flavorful Recipe

This Vegan One-Pot Pasta with Marinara Sauce is a simple, flavorful, and healthy dish that's perfect for busy weeknights or when you're craving comfort food. It’s a one-pot recipe, meaning less mess and easy cleanup. The dish features pasta cooked in a rich marinara sauce made from crushed and diced tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and Italian herbs. It’s fully plant-based, dairy-free, and can be customized with extra veggies or plant-based protein for a more hearty meal.
The step-by-step recipe guides you through sautéing garlic, adding tomatoes and broth, seasoning with herbs, and cooking the pasta in the sauce until perfectly al dente. The result is a comforting, full-flavored meal with minimal prep and cooking time. You can add fresh herbs or a sprinkle of vegan parmesan for extra flavor.
This dish is versatile, quick, and easy to make, making it the ideal option for anyone looking for a delicious, plant-based meal that requires minimal effort.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian, Vegan
Servings 2

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz 225 g pasta (spaghetti, penne, or any pasta of your choice)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 can 14 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 1 can 14 oz diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup vegetable broth or water
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for heat
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil optional, for garnish
  • Vegan Parmesan optional, for garnish
Keyword VeganOnePotPasta

Vegan One-Pot Pasta with Marinara Sauce: A Simple, Flavorful Recipe

When it comes to preparing a quick, satisfying, and wholesome meal, nothing beats a one-pot recipe. One-pot pasta dishes are especially great for busy weeknights or when you don’t feel like doing a lot of dishes. This Vegan One-Pot Pasta with Marinara Sauce is a perfect meal to add to your weekly rotation. With just a handful of ingredients, this recipe is packed with flavor, requires minimal prep, and will have you enjoying a comforting bowl of pasta in no time.

Why Choose a Vegan One-Pot Pasta?

There are plenty of reasons why this vegan pasta dish will become a favorite. Let’s break it down:

  1. Simplicity: This is a one-pot meal, meaning less mess and less cleanup. One-pot meals are ideal for anyone looking to cook with minimal fuss.

  2. Healthy: This vegan pasta is free from dairy and animal products, making it a heart-healthy, plant-based dish full of vegetables and whole grains.

  3. Flavor: The marinara sauce is rich in tomatoes, garlic, and herbs, making this dish burst with flavor. Pairing the sauce with pasta adds the perfect amount of comfort to the dish.

  4. Time-Efficient: This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy evenings.

  5. Customizable: You can easily adjust this recipe by adding your favorite vegetables, protein sources, or herbs to make it your own.

Now that we’ve covered why this dish is a winner, let’s dive into how to make this delicious Vegan One-Pot Pasta with Marinara Sauce.


Ingredients:

  • 8 oz (225 g) pasta (spaghetti, penne, or any other pasta of your choice)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup vegetable broth (or water)
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh basil (optional, for garnish)
  • Vegan Parmesan (optional, for garnish)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

The first step in making any recipe is preparation. Gather all your ingredients and get them ready for cooking. You’ll need to mince the garlic, and if you’re using fresh basil for garnish, tear the leaves into smaller pieces. Having everything prepped in advance will make the cooking process smooth and fast.


Step 2: Heat Olive Oil in a Large Pot

Start by heating 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat. Olive oil is a great base for this recipe, as it imparts a rich flavor that complements the marinara sauce perfectly.


Step 3: Sauté Garlic

Once the olive oil is hot, add the minced garlic to the pot. Sauté the garlic for about 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it becomes fragrant and golden brown. Be careful not to burn it, as garlic can become bitter if overcooked.


Step 4: Add Crushed Tomatoes and Diced Tomatoes

Next, add the crushed tomatoes and diced tomatoes to the pot. Stir everything together to combine the garlic and tomatoes. The crushed tomatoes will create a rich, smooth base for your sauce, while the diced tomatoes will add texture and chunks of tomato to the dish.


Step 5: Pour in Vegetable Broth and Add Herbs

Now, pour in 1/2 cup of vegetable broth (or water if you don’t have broth on hand). This will help the sauce come together and create a more liquid consistency, allowing the pasta to cook in it. Stir in the dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes (if using). These herbs give the sauce a beautiful Italian flavor that pairs perfectly with pasta.

Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remember that the salt can be adjusted later, so start with a pinch and adjust as needed.


Step 6: Add the Pasta

Once the sauce is mixed and everything is seasoned to your liking, add the pasta to the pot. Push the pasta down into the sauce so that it’s mostly submerged in the liquid. You can use any kind of pasta you prefer, such as spaghetti, penne, or fusilli. The beauty of a one-pot dish is that you don’t need to cook the pasta separately.


Step 7: Simmer and Cook the Pasta

Turn the heat to medium-low and cover the pot. Allow the pasta to cook in the sauce for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally. The pasta will absorb the sauce as it cooks, infusing each bite with delicious flavor. Check the pasta’s doneness after 10 minutes and continue cooking if necessary until it’s al dente.

You may need to add a little extra water or broth if the sauce becomes too thick while cooking. Just be sure to stir it occasionally so the pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot.


Step 8: Taste and Adjust Seasoning

Once the pasta is cooked to your desired level of doneness, taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. You can add more salt, pepper, or herbs to enhance the flavor. If you like a little more heat, feel free to add a pinch more red pepper flakes.


Step 9: Serve and Garnish

Once your Vegan One-Pot Pasta with Marinara Sauce is ready, serve it hot in bowls. You can garnish with fresh basil and a sprinkle of vegan parmesan if you like. The vegan parmesan adds a cheesy, savory touch that complements the marinara sauce beautifully.


Tips for Customizing Your Vegan One-Pot Pasta with Marinara Sauce

  • Add Veggies: You can add vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach to the sauce. Simply chop them and add them in with the tomatoes to cook down and blend into the sauce.

  • Protein Boost: For an extra protein punch, consider adding cooked lentils, chickpeas, or a plant-based meat substitute like crumbled tempeh or vegan sausage.

  • Creamier Sauce: If you like a creamier sauce, you can stir in a tablespoon of vegan cream or cashew cream at the end of cooking.

  • Make it Gluten-Free: Swap regular pasta for gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten-free. The cooking method remains the same!

  • Fresh Herbs: If you prefer fresh herbs, swap the dried oregano and basil with fresh versions. Add them at the end of cooking for a burst of fresh flavor.


Why You’ll Love This Vegan One-Pot Pasta with Marinara Sauce

This Vegan One-Pot Pasta with Marinara Sauce is a dream come true for anyone who loves hearty pasta dishes but wants to keep things simple, healthy, and plant-based. With its easy prep, minimal cleanup, and customizable nature, it’s the perfect dish for busy weekdays or cozy weekends.

Not only is this recipe easy to make, but it’s also full of wholesome ingredients that are sure to please both vegans and non-vegans alike. Whether you’re looking to add a few extra veggies or a plant-based protein source, this dish is flexible enough to fit your needs. Plus, it’s so comforting and flavorful that it’ll be hard to believe it all came together in just one pot!


Final Thoughts

The best meals often don’t require a lot of time or effort, and this Vegan One-Pot Pasta with Marinara Sauce proves just that. With minimal ingredients, a simple cooking process, and tons of flavor, it’s a recipe that you’ll find yourself making over and over again. Whether you’re cooking for one, for the whole family, or meal-prepping for the week ahead, this dish is guaranteed to satisfy.

Enjoy!


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