Description
Creamy Vegan Cajun Pasta is a flavorful and hearty plant-based dish featuring penne pasta tossed in a rich, coconut milk-based sauce seasoned with Cajun spices. This dairy-free, vegan recipe combines sautéed bell peppers, onions, and a robust blend of spices to create a spicy, creamy pasta perfect for a comforting main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces penne pasta
Vegetables
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 small red onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Spices
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup full-fat coconut milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced red and yellow bell peppers and red onion, cooking for 5 to 6 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, ensuring the garlic does not brown.
- Season Vegetables: Sprinkle in the Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to evenly coat the sautéed vegetables with the spices.
- Prepare Sauce: Pour in the full-fat coconut milk, vegetable broth, tomato paste, and nutritional yeast. Stir the mixture until smooth and well combined.
- Simmer Sauce: Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly and deepen in flavor.
- Finish Sauce: Stir in the lemon juice and crushed red pepper flakes, if using, for added brightness and extra heat.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat every piece in the creamy Cajun sauce.
- Heat Through: Cook the pasta and sauce together for another 1 to 2 minutes to ensure everything is heated through and well combined.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- For additional protein, consider adding cooked chickpeas or vegan sausage to the dish.
- Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to control the spice level to your preference.
- Use light coconut milk for a lighter sauce, though it may result in a less creamy texture.
