Meatless Monday Challenge

20+ Hearty Meatless Pasta Meals

on August 15, 2022
last updated April 11, 2024
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This list of Hearty Meatless Pasta Meals provides a wide range of delicious and filling meatless pasta dishes to feed the whole family!
overhead shot of serving bowl filled with mushroom pesto pasta

Looking for a hearty and energizing meal? This list of Meatless Pasta Meals has a wide range of pasta dishes from cheesy to creamy to saucy to soup, to fill your family with whatever you fancy!

As an environmental scientist, I am always trying to make eco-conscious food choices. One easy way to improve your ecological footprint is by finding ways to enjoy more meatless meals.

Green tip: Industrial meat production has a huge impact on the environment, especially because of the amount of land it takes to sustain and its high amount of greenhouse gas emissions.

So, for pasta night, check out one of these meatless, but still filling and nutrient-dense pasta meals to do good for your tastebuds and the planet!


1. Simple Meatless Lasagna (No Eggs)

meatless lasagna fresh out of the oven
This Easy Cheesy Meatless Lasagna is hearty, cheesy, packed with veggies, and requires no egg. A family favorite meal that will keep you full and satisfied.
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2. One-Dish Baked Goat Cheese Pasta

overhead shot of plated baked goat cheese pasta
This Baked Goat Cheese Pasta is a veggie-packed creamy pasta dish that comes together in less than 45 minutes and with just one dish!
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3. Mouthwatering Rigatoni Burrata with Blistered Tomatoes

rigatoni burrata with blistered tomatoes, garlic, and basil
This Rigatoni Burrata can only be described as mouthwatering with blistered tomatoes, fresh basil, and complementary seasonings that allow the cheese to shine.
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4. Loaded Meatless Baked Ziti

Meatless Baked Ziti garnished with basil
This Loaded Meatless Baked Ziti is packed with vegetables, making it hearty and nutritious. It’s easy to make and extra cheesy.
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5. Easy Cheesy Pasta Bake

Easy Cheesy Pasta Bake in a black oval baking dish garnished with basil
This Easy Cheesy Pasta Bake is a family favorite for the ultimate comfort food dish. It’s filling, delicious, and oh… did I mention cheesy?
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6. Creamy Brie & Gouda Mac and Cheese (No-Bake!)

super closeup shot of creamy brie mac and cheese
What’s the best cheese combo for homemade mac and cheese? It’s brie and gouda, for sure! This extra-creamy stovetop brie mac and cheese recipe is a different and delicious twist on classic mac and cheese. Ready in 30 minutes!
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7. 4-Ingredient Mushroom Pesto Pasta (One-Pot)

overhead shot of serving bowl filled with mushroom pesto pasta
This Mushroom Pesto Pasta is quick, easy, packed with flavor, and requires only one pot and 4 ingredients to come together!
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8. Vegan One-Pot Pasta with Marinara Sauce

overhead view of Vegan One-Pot Pasta with Marinara Sauce in a large white serving bowl
This incredibly simple, outrageously delicious, and fast-as-lightning Vegan One-Pot Pasta will be your new go-to meal to feed the family.
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9. Delicious Sherry Bow Tie Pasta with Roasted Tomatoes

Bow Tie Pasta Salad with roasted grape tomatoes and sherry cooking wine
This Bow Tie Pasta Salad with Roasted Tomatoes combines sweet sherry and savory cheese with garlic and fresh roasted tomatoes to make a simple, flavorful dish that's easy to whip up and can be served hot or cold.
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10. One-Pot Pasta with Pumpkin Sauce

One-Pot Pasta with Pumpkin Sauce
This Pasta with Pumpkin Sauce is quick and easy to make, easy to clean up, and will feed the whole family! It's hearty, flavorful, creamy and cozy.
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11. The Cheesiest Indulgent Mac-n-Cheese

Close up of a bowl of Cheesiest Indulgent Mac n Cheese
The Cheesiest Indulgent Mac-n-Cheese to make the kid in you rejoice. With its extra creamy sauce, you’ll be hard-pressed not to mutter “Mmmmm” with every single bite.
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12. Vegan Orzo Soup with Seasonal Veggies

overhead view of vegan orzo soup in a white soup bowl with a spoon
This Vegan Orzo Soup incorporates seasonal veggies into a flavorful, hearty broth that all comes together in less than an hour and in just one pot.
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13. One-Pot Hummus Pasta with Basil (Vegan)

One-Pot Hummus Pasta with Basil
This One-Pot Hummus Pasta uses creamy hummus, fresh-squeezed lemon, and herbaceous basil for a flavorful dish with minimal ingredients and in less than 30 minutes!
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14. Vegan Truffle Mac and Cheese

Overhead view of vegan truffle mac and cheese in a white soup bowl
Comfort food has a whole new meaning when it’s vegan and packed with nutrients! This Vegan Truffle Mac and Cheese is elevated, creamy as ever, and downright delicious.
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15. One-Pot Mushroom Marsala Pasta

Plate of One Pot Mushroom Marsala Pasta
This Mushroom Marsala Pasta is a beautiful balance of sweetness and tang from the Marsala wine and earthiness from the mushrooms, coming together in 20 minutes and in just one pot.
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16. 20-Minute Ricotta Pesto Pasta

Bowl of Ricotta Pesto Pasta with a fork
This Ricotta Pesto Pasta blends bold and fresh flavors with creamy, but not-too-rich ricotta to bring you succulent and zesty pasta in just 20 minutes.
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17. 5-Ingredient Burrata Pesto Pasta

Single serving of Burrata Pesto Pasta with fork
This Burrata Pesto Pasta is filled with flavor and delicious texture and only requires 5 ingredients, one pot, and less than 30 minutes to make.
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18. Orzo Pesto Salad

Orzo Pesto Salad with roasted tomatoes and mozzarella pearls
This Orzo Pesto Salad is light, fresh, and bursting with flavor. Only 7 ingredients and 25 minutes required.
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19. One-Pot Mushroom Spinach Pasta with White Wine

One Pot Mushroom Spinach Pasta with White Wine Sauce
This Mushroom Spinach Pasta with White Wine is citrusy, fresh, and buttery and requires less than 30 minutes and one pot to make!
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20. 2-Ingredient Pesto Tortellini (One Pot)

2-Ingredient Pesto Tortellini served up on a pink plate
This Pesto Tortellini brings tons of savory, herbaceous, and zesty flavor with just 2 ingredients, 15 minutes, and one pot!
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21. Easy Baked Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

Baked pumpkin mac and cheese garnished with fresh sage
This Easy Baked Pumpkin Mac and Cheese takes creamy macaroni and cheese and infuses it with the rich and comforting flavors of pumpkin.
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22. 30-Minute Healing Pastina Soup

Pastina Soup with a hearty vegetable broth and finished with Parmigiano-Reggiano and black pepper.
This Pastina Soup is a comforting and nourishing dish featuring tiny pasta cooked in a flavorful, plant-based broth, enriched with a medley of blended fresh vegetables.
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I hope this list of Meatless Pasta Meals left you hungry for a delicious and nutritious vegetarian dinner! If you’re still not sure where to start, I’ve included this 4-Ingredient Mushroom Pesto Pasta that is quick, easy, packed with flavor, and requires only one pot to come together!

overhead shot of serving bowl filled with mushroom pesto pasta

20+ Hearty Meatless Pasta Meals, Including Mushroom Pesto Pasta

5 from 1 vote
Marley Goldin
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This list of Hearty Meatless Pasta Meals provides a wide range of delicious and filling meatless meals, including this quick, easy, and delicious Mushroom Pesto Pasta.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound pasta of choice (long or short)
  • ¼ to ½ cup pasta water
  • 8 ounces white or baby bella mushrooms
  • 4 ounces pesto
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
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Instructions
 

  • Cook the pasta to al dente according to the directions on the box. Before straining, make sure to conserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Set pasta aside in a large bowl.
  • Slice your mushrooms longways in 2-4 thin pieces, depending on their size. Add them to the pot with olive oil.
  • Sautee mushrooms over medium heat until their juices release and they start to caramelize (5-8 minutes).
  • Remove from heat and add the pasta back to the pot with the mushrooms. Add the pesto and toss.
  • Assess the consistency. If it seems too thick and dense, add the pasta water about 1 tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is achieved.

Pro Tips

  • For even more pesto, check out my best recipes using pesto.
  • Share This Recipe

    Course Dinner
    Cuisine American
    Diet Vegan
    Keyword 30 Minutes or Less, 5 Ingredients or Less, Easy, Meatless Pasta, Mushrooms, One-Pot, Pasta
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