Description
A creamy, flavorful vegan pasta dish featuring a luscious coconut milk and sun-dried tomato sauce, infused with garlic, herbs, and a touch of heat from red pepper flakes. This Italian-inspired Marry Me Pasta is perfect for a cozy dinner or a special date night, completely dairy-free and packed with wholesome ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Sauce
- 12 oz pasta (such as penne or rigatoni)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup canned coconut milk (full fat)
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Vegetables and Garnish
- 2 cups baby spinach
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 4–5 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Add Garlic and Spices: Stir in minced garlic and red pepper flakes if using, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Herbs: Mix in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine the flavors.
- Create Sauce: Pour in the coconut milk and vegetable broth, stirring to blend everything. Let the sauce simmer gently for 5–7 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Enhance Sauce Flavors: Stir in the nutritional yeast and lemon juice, mixing thoroughly to enrich the creamy sauce.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to fully coat it with the sauce.
- Add Spinach: Fold in baby spinach and cook for 1–2 minutes until wilted and tender.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with fresh basil leaves, and serve the pasta warm for the best taste experience.
Notes
- For an even creamier sauce, blend the coconut milk with soaked cashews before adding to the pan.
- You can substitute oat milk or any unsweetened plant-based cream alternative if preferred.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your desired level of heat.
