35 Protein Packed Vegetarian Pasta Recipes (2024)

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35 Protein Packed Vegetarian Pasta Recipes (1)

Pasta has always been one of my go-to weeknight dinners. It’s easy to make, quick to get on the table and there are so many different ways you can mix it up. However, I’ve recently realized that most of the vegetarian pasta recipes I’ve been cooking up all have something else in common: they lack a major protein source. While I enjoy a simple pasta with red sauce or pesto sauce, these days I’ve been much more aware of my protein intake and am now trying to incorporate a good amount of it into every single meal I eat.

I’ve rounded up 35 Vegetarian Pasta Recipes that not only look delicious, but all have a good source of protein added to them.

Enjoy!

35 Protein Packed Vegetarian Pasta Recipes (2)

Clean Eating Lemony Kale and Asparagus Pasta from I Food Real

Linguini with Poached Egg and Asparagus from Sweet Peas and Saffron

Roasted Sweet Potato and Arugula Pasta with Chickpeas from Kristine’s Kitchen

Veggie and Tofu Noodle Bowls from Wine and Glue

Cheesy Butternut Squash Pasta Bake from All She Cooks

35 Protein Packed Vegetarian Pasta Recipes (3)

Kale and Leek Pesto Pasta with Tofu

Spaghetti with Tempeh Ragu from Connoisseurus Veg

Green Lentil Pasta from Give Recipe

Spinach Artichoke Lasagna from The Weary Chef

One Pot Kale Broccoli and Chickpea Orecchiette Pasta from A Cedar Spoon

35 Protein Packed Vegetarian Pasta Recipes (4)

Red Lentil and Spinach Pasta from Green Evi

Healthy Fettuccine Pasta with Capers from Cotter Crunch

Spaghetti with Broccoli Arugula and Pecorino from An Italian In My Kitchen

Veggie Pasta with Spicy Peanut Sauce from Adorable Life

Cheese Tortellini with Fava Beans and Herbed Ricotta from The Wimpy Vegetarian

35 Protein Packed Vegetarian Pasta Recipes (5)

Creamy White Bean Pesto Pasta from Natural Girl Modern World

20 Minute Vegetarian Skillet Lasagna from The Chunky Chef

Sicilian Lentil Pasta from Culinary Ginger

Spicy Peanut Veggie Noodle Bowl from Spabetti

Chickpea and Roasted Veggie Pasta from Luci’s Morsels

35 Protein Packed Vegetarian Pasta Recipes (6)

Roasted Broccoli and Chickpea Lemon Pasta from Making Thyme For Health

Pasta with Kidney Bean Sauce from Green Evi

Avocado Pesto Pasta with Roasted Chickpeas from Emilie Eats

Pasta with Vegan Meat Sauce from Fooduzzi

Roasted Beet Hummus Over Pasta from Namley Marly

35 Protein Packed Vegetarian Pasta Recipes (7)

30 Minute Creamy Pesto Tortellini Skillet from Flavor The Moments

Pasta fa*gioli from Erren’s Kitchen

Veggie Supreme Pasta Bake from Inside Blu Crew Life

Legume My Marinara with Pasta from Kitchen Treaty

Easy Artichoke and Arugula Pesto Burata Pasta from Farm Fresh Feasts

35 Protein Packed Vegetarian Pasta Recipes (8)

Pan Fried Gnocchi with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and White Beans from Sweet Peas and Saffron

Asparagus Pasta Salad with Creamy Peanut Dressing from The Lemon Bowl

Black Bean Spaghetti with Brussels Sprouts and Avocado from Ciao Florentina

Spicy Thai Noodles with Peppers from Eats Well With Others

One Pot Vegetarian Chili Mac from Kristine’s Kitchen

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. 35 Protein Packed Vegetarian Pasta Recipes (9)Katie @ Whole Nourishment says

    There’s a few of these pasta dishes that look really good, and they’re going on my list to make. Thanks for sharing your ideas Izzy!

    Reply

  2. 35 Protein Packed Vegetarian Pasta Recipes (10)Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says

    What an amazing round-up, Izzy! I normally don’t like a lot of meat in my pasta anyway, so this is perfect for me! So many awesome ones to choose from! 🙂

    Reply

  3. 35 Protein Packed Vegetarian Pasta Recipes (11)Ashley@CookNourishBliss says

    I’m with you – pasta is definitely a go-to during the week! Love this round-up! I usually end up just adding beans when the pasta doesn’t have any protein but there are just so many fun ideas here!

    Reply

  4. 35 Protein Packed Vegetarian Pasta Recipes (12)Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness says

    Oooh what a great round up! I’m with you, I always have pasta in my pantry for a quick go-to meal. Lately I’ve been trying out different bean pastas to see how they stack up to regular pasta… They definitely don’t have the same yummy pasta taste, but some of them are not bad at all, and they really pack a protein punch! My favorite find so far is chickpea ramen noodles that I made a quick Asian soup with.

    Reply

  5. 35 Protein Packed Vegetarian Pasta Recipes (13)Mary @ LOVE the secret ingredient says

    Very helpful! We try to do at least 2 meatless days per week, so this is great inspiration for pasta night!

    Reply

  6. 35 Protein Packed Vegetarian Pasta Recipes (14)marcie says

    I often make meatless pastas so I love this round up, Izzy! We definitely need our protein and I love the variety here! Thanks for including my pesto tortellini. 🙂

    Reply

  7. 35 Protein Packed Vegetarian Pasta Recipes (15)Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says

    Okay I want all of these!! 🙂

    I agree, it can be hard to include protein in pasta dishes so it’s nice to see some recipes that do it for you. Thank you so much for including my chickpea pasta! <3

    Reply

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35 Protein Packed Vegetarian Pasta Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What vegetarian protein sources to put in pasta? ›

And if you want extra plant protein (good news: pasta already contains around 5 to 8 grams of protein per cup!), then look no further than beans, nuts, and seeds, like cashews, pistachios, white beans, and pumpkin seeds. Plus, not only do these ingredients add extra protein, they also improve flavor and texture.

What is a good protein to add to pasta? ›

Meat lovers – Add some lean poultry to pasta for an extra protein boost. In addition to a high protein content, chicken and turkey also provide a number of vitamins and minerals like B vitamins (especially B6 and niacin) and selenium and zinc.

How do you get protein in spaghetti without meat? ›

Topping pasta with shelled soybeans, or edamame, is an easy way to add more plant-based protein to your diet. A 1/2-cup serving has 17 grams of protein, plus 5 grams of fiber.

What is the most protein rich vegetarian food? ›

The 18 Best Protein Sources for Vegans and Vegetarians
  • Seitan.
  • Tofu.
  • Lentils.
  • Beans.
  • Nutritional yeast.
  • Spelt and teff.
  • Hemp seeds.
  • Peas.

What are 3 vegetarian protein options? ›

The following healthful, plant-based foods have a high-protein content per serving:
  • Tofu, tempeh, and edamame. Share on Pinterest Soy products such as tofu, tempeh, and edamame are among the richest sources of protein in a vegan diet. ...
  • Lentils. ...
  • Chickpeas. ...
  • Peanuts. ...
  • Almonds. ...
  • Spirulina. ...
  • Quinoa. ...
  • Mycoprotein.
Apr 12, 2018

Is protein pasta actually better for you? ›

Protein pasta is high in fiber, lower in carbs and high in protein when compared to regular pasta. It is also described to help in muscle repairs and bodybuilding. It is a better choice for vegetarians who are also on the lookout to change their taste.

What vegetables are high in protein? ›

And what are the best sources for protein?
  • Green peas. Green peas are at the top of the list of the most protein-filled vegetables. ...
  • Spinach. A big crisp spinach salad is certainly refreshing, especially on a hot day in the South. ...
  • Collard greens. ...
  • Sweet corn. ...
  • Mustard greens. ...
  • Lima beans. ...
  • Asparagus. ...
  • Broccoli.

Is rice or pasta better for protein? ›

For lower calorie and carbohydrate content, rice comes out top. But if protein and fibre is your aim, pasta wins over rice. That said, both can play a part in a healthy diet - and as the nutritional differences are quite small, it often comes down to which you would prefer.

What vegetables have a lot of protein? ›

Legumes and soybeans are the vegetables highest in protein, and they are often used as meat substitutes in vegan and vegetarian recipes. Other vegetables that are rich in protein include spinach, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, corn, and kale.

How to get 40 grams of protein without meat? ›

5 Protein-Packed Foods for Healthy, Meatless Meals
  1. Eggs. Eggs are a great source of protein. ...
  2. Tree Nuts. Tree nuts include walnuts, almonds and pecans — don't confuse them with peanuts, which are legumes. ...
  3. Legumes. Legumes include a range of beans and peas such as black beans, chickpeas and lentils. ...
  4. Soy. ...
  5. Yogurt.

How can I get 30 grams of protein without meat? ›

Regular consumprion of nuts and seeds, such as almonds, cashews, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, etc., is a good way to top up your protein intake. 100 grams of nuts seeds contain around 20-30 grams of protein.

What are 2 foods that are protein but not meat? ›

Take our quiz and find out how much you really know about protein.
  • Pulses. Pulses are an inexpensive protein choice, are high in fibre and a source of iron. ...
  • Soya beans. ...
  • Quinoa. ...
  • Nuts. ...
  • Seeds. ...
  • Cereals and grains. ...
  • Quorn™ ...
  • Dairy.

What is plant based protein pasta? ›

Plant-based pasta—made from legumes and whole grains—is the new way to enjoy a protein-plus-fiber mix in your favorite pasta dish.

What do vegetarians eat as a protein source? ›

Some good vegetarian sources of protein include: legumes (such as beans, peas and lentils) nuts and seeds. soy products (including soy beverages, tempeh and tofu)

What are 3 6 protein options for vegetarians? ›

Vegetarian Protein Sources
  • Lentils.
  • Black beans.
  • Fava beans.
  • Chickpeas.
  • Garbanzo beans.
  • Kidney beans.
  • Lima beans.
  • Soybeans.
Sep 1, 2023

How to get protein as a vegetarian? ›

How Do Vegetarians Get Enough Protein?
  1. Eggs. Eat your eggs however you like them prepared.
  2. Nut butter. Consider eating toast with almond butter, which is packed with protein and heart-healthy fats.
  3. Steel-cut oatmeal. Try making these no-bake protein bars.
  4. Green vegetables. ...
  5. Nuts and seeds. ...
  6. Beans. ...
  7. Soy products. ...
  8. Lentils.
Jan 16, 2019

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