If you’re a vegetarian and a cheese lover, you’re in for a treat with our delightful collection of cheese pasta recipes vegetarian. Pasta and cheese are a match made in culinary heaven, and when combined with fresh vegetables and rich, creamy cheeses, they create dishes that are comforting, flavorful, and satisfying.
Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or an impressive dish to serve guests, these recipes will fit the bill. Each recipe balances the richness of cheese with the freshness of veggies, making them both nutritious and indulgent.
From classic macaroni and cheese revamped with a twist, to creamy ricotta and spinach pasta, our recipes are easy to follow and use ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry. So, prepare your pots and pans and get ready to enjoy some cheesy, vegetarian pasta goodness that will leave everyone asking for seconds!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are countless reasons to fall in love with these vegetarian cheese pasta recipes. First, they’re incredibly versatile.
Whether you’re craving a creamy, cheesy sauce or a baked pasta dish loaded with melted cheese, there’s something here for every mood and occasion.
Secondly, these dishes are packed with protein and calcium — thanks to the cheeses like mozzarella, ricotta, and parmesan — offering a nutritious boost. Plus, incorporating vegetables means you get fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants in every bite.
Finally, these recipes are perfect for all skill levels. Even if you’re new to cooking pasta dishes, the step-by-step instructions ensure success every time.
And don’t forget, these meals reheat wonderfully, making them ideal for meal prep or leftovers!
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (penne, fusilli, or your favorite)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach, washed and chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup heavy cream or whole milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme)
- Optional: crushed red pepper flakes for heat
Equipment
- Large pot for boiling pasta
- Colander for draining pasta
- Large skillet or sauté pan
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowl
- Baking dish (if making baked pasta)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
- Sauté the garlic and spinach: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add the spinach and sauté until wilted, about 3 minutes.
- Add tomatoes and cream: Toss in the cherry tomatoes, cook for 2 minutes to soften. Pour in the heavy cream, stirring gently, and let it simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Mix cheeses and season: Stir in ricotta, half of the mozzarella, and parmesan cheese. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Mix well until the sauce is creamy and smooth.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, mixing gently to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency.
- Optional baking step: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Transfer the pasta mixture into a greased baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella on top. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve and garnish: Remove from heat or oven. Sprinkle with extra parmesan or fresh basil if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Tips & Variations
“For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with whole milk or a plant-based alternative like oat milk. You can also add mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini for extra veggies!”
- Use different cheeses: Swap ricotta for cottage cheese or add goat cheese for tanginess.
- Make it spicy: Add crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for heat.
- Herb variations: Fresh basil, parsley, or thyme can replace dried Italian herbs.
- Gluten-free: Use gluten-free pasta to adapt the recipe.
- Vegan twist: Use vegan cheese alternatives and plant-based cream for a dairy-free version.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrient | Amount per serving |
---|---|
Calories | 450 kcal |
Protein | 20 g |
Total Fat | 18 g |
Saturated Fat | 10 g |
Carbohydrates | 50 g |
Fiber | 4 g |
Sugar | 6 g |
Sodium | 450 mg |
Calcium | 400 mg |
Serving Suggestions
This cheese pasta is wonderful served with a crisp green salad lightly dressed with lemon vinaigrette or balsamic glaze. For a heartier meal, pair it with garlic bread or a side of roasted vegetables such as asparagus or Brussels sprouts.
Looking for more delicious vegetarian recipes? Check out our Thelma Sanders Squash Recipe for a flavorful veggie side, or enhance your cheese game with the Peda Recipe Ricotta Cheese.
For a unique twist on pickles to accompany your pasta, try the Pickled Cherry Pepper Recipe.
More Delicious Cheese Pasta Recipes Vegetarian
Creamy Spinach and Ricotta Pasta Bake
This baked pasta dish is loaded with creamy ricotta, fresh spinach, and a blend of cheeses baked to golden perfection. It’s perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1½ cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook pasta until al dente. Drain.
- In a skillet, sauté garlic in olive oil until fragrant. Add spinach and cook until wilted.
- In a large bowl, combine pasta, spinach mixture, ricotta, marinara sauce, half the mozzarella, salt, and pepper.
- Transfer to a greased baking dish. Top with remaining mozzarella and parmesan.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Three Cheese Garlic Linguine
A quick and simple pasta dish using parmesan, mozzarella, and cream cheese to create a velvety garlic sauce that’s perfect for those busy nights.
Ingredients
- 10 oz linguine
- ½ cup cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 cup milk or cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook linguine until al dente and drain.
- Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat, add garlic, and sauté for 1-2 minutes.
- Reduce heat and add cream cheese, stirring to melt.
- Slowly whisk in milk until smooth.
- Add mozzarella and parmesan, stirring until cheese melts into sauce.
- Toss linguine in sauce until well coated. Season with salt and pepper.
- Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
Pesto Ricotta Cheese Pasta
A fresh take on pasta with creamy ricotta and vibrant basil pesto, perfect for a light yet satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 8 oz fusilli or rotini
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Grated parmesan for topping
Instructions
- Cook pasta until al dente, drain and return to pot.
- Toss pasta with olive oil and pesto until well combined.
- Fold in ricotta cheese and cherry tomatoes gently.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve topped with grated parmesan.
Conclusion
Cheese pasta recipes vegetarian are a fantastic way to enjoy comforting meals without meat while still indulging in rich, satisfying flavors. Whether you prefer a creamy, stovetop sauce or a baked cheesy casserole, these recipes offer delicious options to suit any preference.
The combination of fresh vegetables and luscious cheeses makes these dishes both nourishing and decadent.
Experimenting with different cheeses and veggies can keep your meals exciting and fresh. Plus, these recipes are easy to customize to fit dietary needs or what you have on hand.
Don’t forget to explore other tasty vegetarian dishes like our Thelma Sanders Squash Recipe for a veggie-packed side or the creamy delights of Peda Recipe Ricotta Cheese. Happy cooking and enjoy your cheesy pasta feasts!
📖 Recipe Card: Cheese Pasta Vegetarian
Description: A creamy and delicious cheese pasta perfect for a quick vegetarian meal. Easy to prepare with simple ingredients for a comforting dish.
Prep Time: PT10M
Cook Time: PT20M
Total Time: PT30M
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 250g pasta (penne or fusilli)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh spinach
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat and sauté garlic until fragrant.
- Add heavy cream and bring to a simmer.
- Stir in mozzarella and Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
- Season with salt, pepper, and oregano.
- Add cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat evenly.
- Mix in chopped spinach and basil.
- Cook for 2 more minutes until spinach wilts.
- Serve hot garnished with extra Parmesan if desired.
Nutrition: Calories: 450 kcal | Protein: 18 g | Fat: 22 g | Carbs: 45 g
{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Cheese Pasta Vegetarian”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A creamy and delicious cheese pasta perfect for a quick vegetarian meal. Easy to prepare with simple ingredients for a comforting dish.”, “prepTime”: “PT10M”, “cookTime”: “PT20M”, “totalTime”: “PT30M”, “recipeYield”: “4 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“250g pasta (penne or fusilli)”, “2 tablespoons olive oil”, “3 cloves garlic, minced”, “1 cup heavy cream”, “1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese”, “1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese”, “1/2 teaspoon salt”, “1/4 teaspoon black pepper”, “1/2 teaspoon dried oregano”, “1/2 cup chopped fresh spinach”, “1/4 cup chopped fresh basil”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat and saut\u00e9 garlic until fragrant.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add heavy cream and bring to a simmer.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Stir in mozzarella and Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Season with salt, pepper, and oregano.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat evenly.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Mix in chopped spinach and basil.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Cook for 2 more minutes until spinach wilts.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Serve hot garnished with extra Parmesan if desired.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “450 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “18 g”, “fatContent”: “22 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “45 g”}}