Vegan Rasta Pasta

Why you'll love this recipe

• Full of flavor: Vegan rasta pasta is savory and smoky, with a little sweetness from the bell peppers.
• Easy to adapt: You can easily adjust the spice level from mild to hot hot hot by adding more or less jerk seasoning. Check the substitutions section for more ways to put your own spin on this dish.
• Simple yet unique: This meatless meal comes together super quick, making it great for busy weeknights or special occasions like date night.

Ingredient notes

• Pasta: Penne pasta is the popular pasta choice but you can use any type of pasta.
• Bell peppers: Green peppers, red peppers, and yellow peppers are traditional but use what you have.
• Green onion: Sliced green onions give a bright, crisp bite to the overall dish.
• Garlic: More or less, depending on preference.
• Vegetable broth: Use veggie broth or water.
• Coconut milk: I highly suggest using full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream for this recipe. It's thicker and creamier than oat milk or soy milk. If using a coconut milk with a strong flavor, squeeze some lime juice into the spicy pasta sauce to balance it out.
• Jerk seasoning: The star of the dish! Jerk seasoning is a blend of scallions, hot peppers, black pepper, salt, allspice, nutmeg, sugar, and thyme. It adds a spicy kick and tons of flavor. I recommend using Walkerswood Traditional Jamaican Jerk Seasoning.

How to make vegan rasta pasta

The full directions are down below in the printable recipe card.

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta to the hot water and cook until al dente. Once cooked, strain the water, reserving at least 1 cup of the pasta water.
2. As the pasta cooks, warm about a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook bell peppers, green onion, and garlic until just softened. You don't want the peppers to be totally mushy.
3. Stir in the jerk seasoning. Add vegetable stock and coconut milk. Let simmer for a few minutes, then taste and adjust seasoning, if needed.
4. Toss in the cooked pasta and stir to combine. Add reserved pasta water, as needed, to help bring the sauce together.

Substitutions

• Vegan cheese: Add plant based cheese to the sauce for a thicker sauce.
• Plant based chicken: Add vegan chicken tenders, like Gardein.
• Tofu: Add crispy tofu nuggets or soy curls.
• Gluten free: Use gluten free pasta, if needed.
• Vegan parmesan cheese: Top with vegan parm or nutritional yeast for added flavor.

Serving suggestions

For a quick and easy side dish, serve this rasta pasta dish with air fryer frozen green beans or air fryer frozen brussels sprouts. To cut the heat from the jerk spices, serve my refreshing cucumber onion salad. You can't go wrong with dairy free dinner rolls or zucchini scarpaccia.