Imagine twirling your fork into a luscious, velvety pasta dish that's not only incredibly delicious but also completely plant-based and ready in just 30 minutes! This Creamy Vegan Tomato Pasta is about to revolutionize your dinner routine, proving that dairy-free can be just as indulgent and satisfying as traditional cream-based pastas. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds and impress even the most skeptical dinner guests with this restaurant-quality meal that comes together with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 12 ounces pasta of choice
- 1 can (15 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup coconut cream
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil. Add a pinch of salt to the water for flavoring.
- Add pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- While pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of olive oil and sauté diced onions until translucent and slightly golden, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional 30 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine and let simmer for 5-7 minutes to develop flavors.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in coconut cream, creating a smooth and creamy sauce. Simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Drain cooked pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water in case sauce needs thinning.
- Add drained pasta directly to the skillet with tomato sauce. Toss gently to coat pasta evenly.
- If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to reach desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more salt, pepper, or basil to preference.
- Serve hot, optionally garnishing with fresh basil leaves or nutritional yeast for extra flavor.
Tips
- Choose the right pasta: Use a pasta shape that holds sauce well, like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli.
- Don't skip the pasta water: Reserving some starchy cooking liquid helps create a silkier sauce.
- Coconut cream tip: For a milder flavor, use full-fat coconut milk and skim the cream from the top.
- Enhance flavor depth: Consider adding a splash of nutritional yeast for a cheesy undertone.
- For extra richness, toast your dried basil briefly in the pan before adding tomatoes to release more aromatics.
- Watch your garlic carefully - it burns quickly and can turn bitter.
- If you prefer a smoother sauce, blend the tomato mixture before adding coconut cream.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and temperature.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 55g
Protein: 10g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 0mg
