30 Spectacular Vegan Italian Recipes - Delicious and Dairy-free (2024)

In many parts of the world Italian food has become a staple, so if you’re vegan you might think that there are no new vegan Italian recipes to be found.

Or you might think that all Italian recipes are packed with cheese and meat, so none of them can be vegan.

If you think either of these things, I hate to break it to you, but that’s just not the case!

In fact, there are just so many good vegan Italian recipes out there that we’ve put them all together in a list.

We’ve got some basic vegan alternatives, like, vegan pizza, vegan lasagna and vegan minestrone, and some new and exciting options, like eggplant steaks or pasta e fa*gioli soup.

Vegan Italian recipes – more than spaghetti and meatballs

While it’s the first dish most of us think of when we hear ‘Italian food’, spaghetti and meatballs is a totally American invention based on the new ingredients that Italian immigrants found when they arrived stateside!

So now you might be asking, what is Italian cuisine then?

Well, there’s all kinds of good things – pizza (not the deep-dish kind!) comes from Naples, eggplant rollatini comes from Puglia, and panzanella salad comes from Tuscany!

So we’ve included recipes of all these good things, and even more traditional but still vegan Italian recipes (we also have vegetarian Italian recipes!).

In case you’re looking for the more American version of Italian food, we’ve also found stellar recipes for vegan meatballs, vegan pasta primavera and vegan garlic bread! They still taste good no matter where they were invented.

So keep scrolling for the best vegan Italian recipes!

Mains

Bonus: warm, cozy, classic

Vegan Bolognese. It was about time we veganized the Italian classic. And we’re proud to say we were successful. Please welcome: the amazing Anti Bolognese!

Bonus: earthy, intriguing and surprisingly easy

Follow Kat’s simple instructions for the creamiest vegan mushroom risotto this side of an animal product.

Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: RachnaCooks
Bonus: bright, creamy and quick

This healthy pumpkin pasta recipe has a creamy pumpkin sauce (and if you want more pumpkin in your life, try some of these delicious pumpkin soup ideas). I have given vegan alternatives. It is ready in 30 minutes and a perfect fall recipe.

Ready in: 1 hour
Recipe by: VeggiesSaveTheDay
Bonus: delightfully cozy

Zucchini Stew with Potatoes is a rustic Italian-inspired main dish. This vegan and gluten-free recipe is healthy and loaded with vegetables. Enjoy a warm bowl of this comforting stew on its own or with some crusty bread.

Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: AnnaBanana
Bonus: dreamy and perfect for a weeknight meal

Super yummy, vegan spaghetti Carbonara with creamy cashew cheese sauce. Easy, quick recipe for dinner!

Bonus: low-calorie, protein packed and gluten free

Healthy vegetarian recipe for gluten-free socca pizza made with chickpea (besan) flour (this is one of our all time best veggie pizza ideas). It’s loaded with plant-based protein, easy to make and a delicious low-calorie treat!

Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: Zardyplants
Bonus: tasty, colourful, and easy

Creamy, bright, and delicious, this Vegan Vodka Sauce comes together in 20 minutes with simple ingredients.

Recipe by: HurryTheFoodUp

Bonus: spicy, tasty and totally vegan

This easy pasta arrabiata can be made just as spicy as you like it – you’re in control with our step by step guide. Sugo all’arrabbiata here we come!

Ready in: 35 minutes
Recipe by: BitesOfWellness
Bonus: simple, easy, and delectable

Balsamic Roasted Eggplant is a simple and healthy side dish or meatless meal that is so easy to make and packed with flavor! Oven baked balsamic eggplant slices are paired with a dairy free creamy spinach sauce and tomato salad for an elegant presentation perfect for parties!

Bonus: tasty, colourful and vegan

Red Pesto Pasta – The natural evolution of a classic dish. The pesto is all vegan and has received so much praise already you won’t believe it!

Ready in: 55 minutes
Recipe by: Watch.Learn.Eat
Bonus: cozy, comforting and delicious

This creamy vegan butternut squash risotto is the ultimate fall comfort meal! Featuring roasted butternut squash and a touch of thyme, this hearty dish is full of flavor.

Bonus: colourful and full of health benefits

Quick and creamy Avocado Pasta that’s healthy and vegan. High in fiber, vitamin C, iron and good fats. Easy to make in under 15 minutes.

Ready in: 50 minutes
Recipe by: VeganBlueberry
Bonus: warm, tasty and full of protein

A simple and delicious classic Italian vegan minestrone soup with a rich tomato broth and lots of healthy veggies (and if you like this you’ll LOVE our collection of high protein vegan soups)!

Ready in: 1 hour
Recipe by: JarOfLemons
Bonus: totally classic and packed with protein

The BEST Easy Vegan Meatballs made from black beans, mushrooms, walnuts, and olive oil. Delicious, easy to make, healthy, and perfect for dinner tonight!

Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: VeganPunks
Bonus: creamy, and full of veggies

This vegan mushroom pasta pairs a creamy garlic sauce with meaty mushrooms for a quick midweek meal (more quick vegan recipes over here!)

Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: SavorySpin
Bonus: literally stuffed with flavour

Stuffed with a spicy potato bean filling and simmered in a deliciously spiced, creamy tomato coconut sauce, this vegan eggplant rollatini was as fun to eat as it was to make.

Ready in: 45 minutes
Recipe by: FitFoodieNutter
Bonus: tasty and family-friendly

If you love comfort food, these vegan pasta shells stuffed with veggies and full of flavour marinara sauce is the recipe after your heart (these irresistible veg pasta bakes might also appeal to you!). Quick & easy to prepare, this is a perfect weeknight recipe for the whole family, as well as a weekend dinner party with your friends.

Ready in: 55 minutes
Recipe by: SevenRoses
Bonus: a classic made vegan

This quick, easy-to-assemble Vegan lasagna is the perfect meatless comfort food that you were looking for. So effortless and yet so indulgent, I have no doubt it will become a new family-favorite of yours!

Ready in: 45 minutes
Recipe by: ThisHealthyKitchen
Bonus: cozy, silky and delicious

Rich potatoes, kale and mushrooms, together with toasted fennel seeds, and a silky, garlicky, slightly spicy broth makes this vegan zuppa Toscana an unforgettable one!

Ready in: 20 minutes
Recipe by: MAKitchen
Bonus: tomatoes and olives are the ultimate italian combo

This vegan puttanesca pasta is one of those italian dish that are so easy to make that you won’t believe it. The rich tomato sauce is flavoured with olives, capers and garlic. Use your favourite type of pasta and you’ll have a nice dinner to enjoy in only few minutes.

Ready in: 40 minutes
Recipe by: SaporitoKitchen
Bonus: full of flavour and veggies

This easy roasted eggplant spinach penne is packed full of earthy roasted eggplant pieces mixed with fresh baby spinach and all doused in marinara sauce.

Ready in: 50 minutes
Recipe by: ThisHealthyKitchen
Bonus: simple and full of protein

Pasta e fa*gioli (or pasta fazool) is a traditional Italian dish made with pasta and beans that is perfect for chilly nights.

Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: ProfusionCurry
Bonus: fresh and perfect for spring

Penne Pesto Primavera is the ultimate comfort meal. You can make this incredible delicious pasta recipe in under 30 minutes. This pesto pasta recipe is kids approved and makes budget friendly restaurant quality meal at home.

Ready in: 40 minutes
Recipe by: BitesOfWellness
Bonus: delicious, and easy but it still makes you look fancy

This simple and fabulous Vegan Manicotti recipe is quick to prepare and is a favorite with family and friends alike! Stuffed with easy-to-make tofu ricotta, vegan cheese, and fresh chopped spinach!

Appetizers, sides, and sauces

Ready in: 6 minutes
Recipe by: BitesOfWellness
Bonus: creamy, smokey and quick

Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Sauce is perfect on pasta, your favorite protein or on veggies! This vegan, Whole30, dairy free sauce is ready in under 10 minutes and is so easy to make! Made with pantry ingredients, this will quickly become your new favorite go-to sauce!

Ready in: 25 minutes
Recipe by: KnowYourProduce
Bonus: crispy, tasty, and simple

Vegan Garlic Bread loaded with garlic, fresh herbs, and olive. Plus a secret tip to make the best garlic bread spread without a vegan butter substitute.

Ready in: 15 minutes
Recipe by: GatheringDreams
Bonus: fresh, simple, and saves food waste

Panzanella is a colorful and hearty Italian salad that puts to good use juicy tomatoes and stale bread. My take on this classic is perfect to meal prep ahead!

Ready in: 30 minutes
Recipe by: ThreeOlivesBranch
Bonus: tasty and filling

This Vegan Garlic Rosemary Polenta is flavored with rosemary and garlic for a flavorful, creamy side dish. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, and dairy free.

Ready in: 1 hour and 50 minutes
Recipe by: TheCleverMeal
Bonus: the ultimate italian treat, and totally easy too!

Focaccia with olives is absolutely delicious, moist with golden oil-scented crust and tasty olives. The recipe is so EASY to follow, and no kneading and no stand-mixer are required.

Bonus: full of flavour and totally homemade

Easy Basil Pesto. A super simple and tasty basil pesto. Great with any type of pasta or bread and made in just five minutes.

If you’re looking for Italian dinner recipes, this list of vegan Italian recipes has you covered from a vegan pizza, vegan pasta recipes, or a fancy mushroom risotto.

But don’t overlook the power of the Italian appetizers and sauces we’ve thrown in there. Our homemade pesto recipe is pretty hard to beat!

Regardless of what you’re looking for, we’ve found the best vegan Italian recipes to satisfy your craving for delicious mediteranean cuisine with no animal products at all (and if these aren’t enough, check out these vegan mediterranean recipes!)!