Vegan Orecchiette Pasta with Tomato Sauce

Savor the simple elegance of Vegan Orecchiette Pasta with Tomato Sauce, a wholesome and flavorful dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing plant-based guests. This recipe highlights tender orecchiette pasta embraced by a rich, velvety tomato sauce made with tomato puree, sweet cherry tomatoes, and aromatic herbs like oregano and basil. A touch of crushed red pepper flakes adds a subtle kick, while nutritional yeast imparts a hint of cheesy umami, making this dish irresistibly creamy without any dairy. Ready in just 30 minutes, this vegan pasta is a delightful combination of comfort and convenience, topped with fresh basil for a burst of vibrant flavor. Perfect for those seeking a quick, healthy, and satisfying meal, it’s a classic Italian-inspired recipe that’s both family-friendly and Instagram-worthy.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 300 grams orecchiette pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 yellow onion
• 3 garlic cloves
• 400 grams tomato puree
• 250 grams cherry tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 10 grams fresh basil leaves
• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook orecchiette pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta is cooking, dice the yellow onion and mince the garlic cloves.

Step 3

In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, until it becomes translucent.

Step 4

Add minced garlic to the pan and cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant.

Step 5

Halve the cherry tomatoes and add them to the pan along with the tomato puree. Stir to combine.

Step 6

Season the tomato mixture with dried oregano, dried basil, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and let it simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes, or until the sauce thickens slightly.

Step 7

Once the sauce is ready, add the cooked orecchiette pasta to the pan and toss well to coat the pasta with the sauce.

Step 8

Chop the fresh basil leaves and sprinkle them over the pasta along with the nutritional yeast.

Step 9

Give everything a final toss, ensuring the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce and seasonings.

Step 10

Serve the pasta hot, garnished with additional fresh basil leaves, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1125.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1629.7

Total Fat 35.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2515.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 284.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.4g	0%
Total Sugars 37.4g
Protein 55.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 366.4mg	0%
Iron 16.7mg	0%
Potassium 3192.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 18.8%

Protein: 13.3%

Carbs: 67.9%