Creamy One-Pot Pasta (Vegan + Dairy-Free)

Why We Love This Vegan One-Pot Pasta

One pot meals are just the best for people who like low-maintenance cooking (me, me, me!). I love the idea of throwing all of your ingredients into one pot, then setting it and forgetting it. And since everything is made in a single pot, cleaning up afterward is an absolute breeze! Here are more reasons we love this pasta recipe:

• Minimal Effort, Maximum Flavor – Just throw all your ingredients into one pot, set it, and forget it!
• Easy Cleanup – Since everything cooks in a single pot, you’ll have fewer dishes to wash.
• Perfect for Busy Schedules – Life gets hectic, and this recipe makes home cooking quick and stress-free.
• Healthier Than Takeout – A wholesome, homemade meal without the need for fast food or frozen dinners.
• Great for Meal Prep – Simple, healthy ingredients come together in a dish you’ll want to enjoy all week.
• Satisfying & Comforting – Creamy, garlicky, and packed with flavor, this pasta is the ultimate cozy meal.

Now, what are you waiting for? Go, go, go!

What You’ll Need

• Yellow onion & Garlic – These aromatics build the foundation of flavor for the sauce. For a milder taste, use shallots instead of onions. Love extra garlic? Feel free to add an extra clove or two!
• Mushrooms – They add a meaty texture and umami richness to the dish. Cremini, button, or shiitake mushrooms all work well. If you’re not a fan, you can easily swap them! Scroll down to the next section for ideas.
• Vegetable Broth – I used low-sodium vegetable broth but you can also use water with a vegetable bouillon cube.
• Non-Dairy Milk – A creamy, unsweetened plant-based milk is key to achieving the perfect texture. Oat or soy milk work best for richness, while almond or cashew milk create a lighter sauce. Avoid coconut milk unless you want a subtle coconut flavor.
• Dried Pasta – Long noodles like spaghetti or fettuccine work well for this creamy sauce, but you can also use penne, rotini, or gluten-free pasta. Adjust cook time accordingly.
• Corn Starch – Mix with water, and you’ve got an easy concoction to a thick and silky texture! Arrowroot powder is a great substitute if you don’t have cornstarch.
• Vegan Butter – Adds richness and enhances the creamy texture. If you prefer an oil-free version, omit the butter or replace it with a small amount of blended cashews.
• Fresh Basil – Finely chopped basil brings a fresh, aromatic finish to the dish. This is a must!

Variations

If you want to play around with the flavors just a little bit, go for it! You can try adding a few spoonfuls of freshly squeezed lemon juice and just a little bit of fresh lemon zest. It will transform the dish into a completely different flavor. Lemon in pasta adds a really nice freshness and it pairs beautifully with the basil, as well as asparagus or broccoli if you decide to use one of those veggies. Follow the tips below to create your own version of this delicious dairy-free pasta recipe!

Get Fancy with Vegan Cheese

If you want to make the dish extra fancy, you can add a little bit of vegan cheese. Pasta and cheese are obviously a match made in heaven.

You could add a soft goat-style cheese or a nice melty cheese like parmesan or mozzarella. I added a soft vegan goat-style cheese to mine which was coated with herbs de Provence. Simply. To. Die. For.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Here’s the simple process for making this dairy-free one-pot pasta! It’s easy and quick to make and even easier to clean up with just one pan!

Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté onion and garlic for 2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 2: Add mushrooms and continue sautéing for another 5 minutes until they start to soften.

Step 3: Pour in vegetable broth and milk, then bring the mixture to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions, typically 10-12 minutes or until pasta is tender.

Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. While pasta cooks, mix water and cornstarch in a small bowl until dissolved.

Step 4: Pour the cornstarch mixture into the pot, along with salt, pepper, and vegan butter. Cook for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens. Turn off the heat and stir in fresh basil. Serve the pasta, garnishing with additional pepper and basil leaves if desired.

Vegan One-Pot Pasta Meal Prep

This vegan one-pot pasta is especially great for meal prep as it stores well in the fridge and can really easily be reheated. I personally love to incorporate a little bit of self-care into every day of the week (we all deserve that!). I like the idea of making a really special meal and preparing it for work. When it’s your lunch break, you’ll be so excited to heat up that delicious fancy pasta that’s been waiting for you all morning, and your co-workers will be drooling. It’s the little things in life after all!

Make It a Date Night!

Whether you’re cooking dinner for a special someone or just treating yourself to a solo night in (holler, self-love!), this is a great choice. It looks especially fancy with some finely sliced fresh basil and a few cracks of fresh ground pepper sprinkled on top.

Pair it with your favorite wine and maybe a side salad or some garlic bread and you’re set. 

Want to Make It Gluten-Free?

Go ahead and make this meal gluten-free if you’d like. You can use traditional semolina noodles, whole wheat noodles, or gluten-free noodles—it’s totally up to you.

I personally like to use brown rice noodles when I cook gluten-free pasta because I love the taste, texture, and nutrition. You could also use corn pasta, white rice pasta, and other options too.

If you want to include more gluten-free meals in your diet, experiment with a recipe like this and find your favorite option! I used spaghetti noodles but you can use any long pasta. This dish is pretty close to alfredo, and it would be really delicious with fettuccine noodles or linguine noodles.