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30 Minutes or Less

Creamy Mushroom Pasta (Vegan and Gluten-Free!)

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mushroom pasta on a plate

The easiest mushroom pasta – requiring only 7 ingredients and ready in under 20 minutes! Perfectly creamy and comforting, yet entirely vegan and gluten-free. Defying all odds with this easy, next-level-DELICIOUS mushroom pasta recipe!

overhead image of mushroom pasta on a plate with fresh sage on the side

What You’ll Need To Make Creamy Mushroom Pasta

Pasta – All pasta shapes and sizes are welcome here. I used my all-time favorite Jovial Brown Rice Gluten-Free Tagliatelle, but really any pasta will work. Spaghetti, penne, bow-ties, etc – anything and everything will taste delicious! And for a grain-free option, you can swap the pasta for zucchini noodles.

Butter – I used Myoko’s Cultured Vegan Butter in my mushroom pasta, but you can use any type of butter you’d like. Though if you’re like me and looking to keep this dinner recipe vegan or dairy-free, I highly recommend the Myoko’s butter. It’s made from simple, good-for-you ingredients, and tastes just like the real thing!

Mushrooms – I’m starting to feel like a broken record here, but again, any and all mushrooms will taste great in this dish! I picked up a mushroom variety pack from my local grocery store to keep things exciting.

Garlic – All my fellow garlic fiends, go ahead and add a few extra cloves! I love how well the garlic shines through in this super simple meal. It adds this savory, salty bite that’s seriously so good.

Shallot – Either a shallot or half of a small yellow onion will work. Whichever option you take, be sure to finely chop it before cooking. If left too large, it could get in the way of the carefully curated textures in this dish.

mushroom pasta being lifted off a plate with a fork

Tips and Tricks

  • Don’t forget to reserve pasta water! Pasta water has the perfect amount of starch in it, which will help to thicken the sauce. If forgotten, you can use either regular water or vegetable broth in its place, but risk a thin sauce that won’t lock in as much flavor.
  • Get started on the mushrooms as soon as the pasta starts cooking. The pasta will take anywhere from 7 to 12 minutes to cook, which is exactly the amount of time you’ll need to make the sauce. Therefore, time everything perfectly by having both components going at the same time!
  • This mushroom pasta is best served immediately after cooking! However, if you ever need to reheat pasta, add a little bit of broth or water to freshen it up. I recommend reheating this mushroom pasta over the stove with 1/4-1/2 cup of vegetable broth, stirring frequently until warm throughout!
overhead image of mushroom pasta on a plate with white wine on the side

Adjust This Recipe To Your Dietary Needs

Make it Vegan: Take my vegan option and use vegan butter instead of regular butter.

Make it Gluten-Free: For gluten-free mushroom pasta, simply use your favorite gluten-free pasta.

Paleo/Grain-Free Option: Make this a paleo pasta recipe by substituting the regular pasta with zucchini noodles, and the butter for olive oil, avocado oil, or ghee!

Creamy Mushroom Pasta (Vegan and Gluten-Free!)

0 from 0 votes
Recipe by Samantha Course: MainDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

15

minutes
Total time

20

minutes

The easiest mushroom pasta – requiring only 7 ingredients and ready in under 20 minutes! Perfectly creamy and comforting, yet entirely vegan and gluten-free. Defying all odds with this easy, next-level-DELICIOUS mushroom pasta recipe!

Ingredients

  • 1 pound pasta, uncooked

  • 4 tablespoons butter, separated (I used vegan butter)

  • 7 ounces mushrooms, sliced

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1 shallot, finely chopped

Directions

  • Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente.
  • While pasta cooks, melt two tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms to skillet and cook until mushrooms are tender, about 5 minutes.
  • Sprinkle mushroom with salt and pepper, then add in garlic and shallots. Cook for about 2 minutes or until very fragrant.
  • Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain pasta and transfer to the skillet. Add in remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and about ½ cup of that reserved pasta water.
  • Reduce heat to low, and simmer until a nice sauce forms and coats the pasta. Continue adding remaining reserved pasta water if pasta begins to dry out. Remove from heat and serve immediately.

Recipe Video

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30 Minutes or Less

Summer Squash Pasta (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

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summer squash pasta on a plate with white wine, basil, and red pepper flakes on the side

This summer squash pasta is the perfect way to enjoy one of this season’s BEST vegetables! Fresh summer squash is quickly sautéed until perfectly tender then tossed with your favorite pasta. This simple weeknight meal is light, healthy, and comes together in under 20 minutes!

summer squash pasta being lifted off a plate with a fork

‘Tis the season! If you (like me) feel like you’re drowning in squash this summer, then you NEED to make this recipe. Summer squash peaks in the ….you guessed it – summer! My parents garden is currently being taken over by summer squash and zucchini. They have so much squash at this point that they have no clue what to do with it all! One solution to their problem is sending me home with massive bags of it every time I visit them. And while I still have a few squash sitting in my fridge right now, I was able to use some of them in this delicious pasta recipe!

I don’t know about you, but lately I’ve been a big fan of anything quick and easy when it comes to time spent in the kitchen. Hovering over a hot stove for more than 20 minutes sounds like pure torture in this city heat and humidity. Therefore, I’m on a mission to develop as many no-bake/cook recipes or ready in under 30 minutes recipes as possible! This specific vegan and gluten-free pasta recipe falls into the latter category, and for that reason alone we love it so much.

What You Need To Make Summer Squash Pasta

Summer Squash and/or Zucchini– This recipe is the perfect way to use up any leftover summer squash and/or zucchini in your garden! Simply wash and then slice at least two of them, then throw them in this recipe. If you like your pasta extra squash-y (new word – squashy!) feel free to add an extra squash or two in there. The more, the merrier when it comes to this summer squash pasta!

Pasta – I used Jovial Brown Rice Gluten-Free Farfalle pasta in my dish, however you can use whatever kind of pasta you’d like in this recipe. Rigatoni, orecchiette, ziti, penne, or really any pasta shape would work here. If you’re gluten-free like me, I highly recommend the Jovial pasta as it tastes incredibly similar to the real thing.

Basil – Continuing on with the summer trend, this herb flourishes in the warm weather! Basil really helps pack on the freshness in this simple pasta dish. If you don’t have basil, you can use fresh parsley instead.

Adjust This Recipe To Your Diet

  • Add Dairy: Finish this summer squash pasta off with a sprinkling of freshly grated parmesan cheese for a delightful, savory bite!
  • Make it Paleo: You can easily make this dish paleo by doubling up on the squash and removing the pasta from this recipe. It’ll be more of a side dish than a main course, but will still taste totally delicious!
Summer Squash Pasta (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
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Summer Squash Pasta (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

0 from 0 votes
Recipe by Samantha Russo Course: MainCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

15

minutes
Total time

20

minutes

This summer squash pasta is the perfect way to enjoy one of this season’s BEST vegetables! Fresh summer squash is quickly sautéed until perfectly tender then tossed with your favorite pasta. This simple weeknight meal is light, healthy, and comes together in under 20 minutes!

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces pasta, see Notes

  • 1/4 cup olive oil

  • 5 garlic cloves, minced

  • 2 summer squash and/or zucchini, sliced into 1/4-inch thick slices

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

  • 1/4 cup fresh basil

Directions

  • Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, add in the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.
  • Add in the squash and/or zucchini along with the salt, cook 10-15 minutes, tossing every few minutes.
  • Transfer cooked and drained pasta to the skillet along with red pepper flakes and lemon juice, toss everything together.
  • Remove from heat, add in basil, and serve immediately.

Recipe Video

Notes

  • Pasta: I used gluten-free farfalle pasta in this recipe, though you can use any kind of pasta you’d like!

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30 Minutes or Less

Kale Pesto (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

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Kale pesto in spaghetti being twirled with a fork.

Pour this kale pesto over your favorite pasta for an easy, healthy meal! Loaded with fresh kale, this is the ultimate way to sneak extra veggies into your diet. With a few simple ingredients, you’ll have a fresh and delicious kale pesto in under 5 minutes!

Kale pesto in spaghetti being twirled with a fork.

The Story Behind This Recipe

We’re major pesto people around here. I make a killer basil pesto (be on the lookout for a recipe this summer!). There’s just something so fresh, yet satisfying about a good pesto. I was skeptical attempting a kale version of a favorite. But WOW, I had absolutely nothing to worry about. This kale pesto is savory, bright, almost refreshing and completely hides how healthy it is. As some of you know, most pestos are made with some type of cheese. But because we’re a cheese-free zone, I developed this recipe without cheese. And honestly – you won’t even know it’s missing anything!

What You Need To Make Kale Pesto

Kale – I used green curly kale, though any kale will work in this recipe. Be sure to remove as much of the stems from your kale leaves as possible before blending. And when I say “roughly chopped,” I mean it. Simply run your knife through the kale a couple of times and then it’s ready to use in this recipe!

Pistachios – Pistachios add a hearty almost sweet touch to this kale pesto. I’ve tried a few different nuts in this recipe and all work, though pistachios taste best. However, whatever nuts you use, it’s imperative that they are completely unsalted!

Lemon Juice – A touch of acidity brings out the brightness of this recipe! Lemon juice also helps to break down the tough fibers in the kale, making it easier to digest.

Ways To Enjoy This Kale Pesto

  • Perhaps the most obvious way is over pasta. This is how I enjoyed my kale pesto, with Jovial Brown Rice gluten-free pasta. I also added sautéed mushrooms and bell peppers for extra protein/nutrients – and it was delicious!
  • Don’t knock this one ’til you try it – with scrambled eggs! Stir a tablespoon or two of kale pesto in with your eggs right before they’re finished cooking. The end result is creamy scrambled eggs loaded with flavor and veggies.
  • On toast – slather a healthy helping of kale pesto on toasted bread for a quick and delicious snack!
Kale Pesto (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
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Kale Pesto (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

0 from 0 votes
Recipe by Samantha Russo Course: MainCuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Easy
Servings

6

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Total time

5

minutes

Pour this kale pesto over your favorite pasta for an easy, healthy meal! Loaded with fresh kale, this is the ultimate way to sneak extra veggies into your diet. With a few simple ingredients, you’ll have a fresh and delicious kale pesto in under 5 minutes!

Ingredients

  • 3 cups packed kale, stems removed and roughly chopped

  • 1/2 cup pistachios, raw and unsalted

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

  • 2 garlic cloves, see Notes

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4-1/2 cup olive oil

Directions

  • Add all ingredients, except for the olive oil, to a food processor or blender. Pulse until finely chopped, then slowly stream in the olive oil while blending until combined.

Notes

  • Garlic: There’s no need to chop the garlic for this recipe, simply remove the skin then throw the cloves in with the other ingredients!

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30 Minutes or Less

One-Pot Lemon Pasta (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

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Close up image of lemon pasta with parsley on top.

This one-pot lemon pasta is the easiest recipe you’ll make all week! Plenty of fresh lemon, creamy coconut milk, and a splash (maybe more, hehe) of white wine create the most delicious sauce for this pasta dish. The best part? You’ll need just ONE pot to make the entire thing! That’s right, throw everything in a pot, cook, and dinner will be ready in under 20 minutes.

Lemon pasta on a plate sprinkled with parsley and a side fo white wine.

I created this recipe for the lazy girl in me. She comes out every so often, especially on weekday nights when all I wanna do is melt into my couch with a bowl of chips and call it a day. Though because I know a bowl of chips isn’t enough to keep me full through the night – trust me, I’ve tried – I needed something filling, yet super easy to make.

I’ve had my sights set on a lemon pasta recipe for a while now. With the weather (finally!) getting warmer, I’ve been craving fresh, bright, citrusy foods. I’m at a point where I buy a bag of both lemons and limes every week at the grocery store and squeeze them over all my food and into my water. So the idea of combining my most current-favorite thing, lemon, and my always-favorite thing, pasta, was a no-brainer. I knew I wanted to keep my lemon pasta simple, and above all else EASY, so I settled on a one-pot dinner with just eight ingredients (one being salt). This one-pot lemon pasta has truly changed my lazy little life, and I’m sure it will yours too!

What You Need To Make One-Pot Lemon Pasta

Gluten-Free Pasta – Use whatever gluten-free pasta you’d like in this recipe. Any shape or brand will do! I used the Jovial Brown Rice Farfalle (aka Bow Tie) Pasta and highly recommend it. If you’re not gluten-free, feel free to use regular pasta instead.

Coconut Milk – Makes for an incredibly light and creamy sauce, but doesn’t taste like coconut. You could use any non-dairy milk you’d like in this recipe, but I love coconut milk for how nice and thick it is. If you’re not vegan/dairy-free, you can use heavy cream instead.

Vegetable Broth – Using broth instead of water in this recipe adds that much more flavor. It doesn’t have to be vegetable broth, though. If you’re not vegan, chicken broth works too.

Dry White Wine – I love the brightness a nice dry white wine adds to recipes. Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio work best in this recipe, or anything with “crisp” in the description. And if cooking with wine isn’t your thing, use one more cup of broth instead.

Lemon – Duh! Use plenty of lemon in this recipe. I know the recipe says 3 tablespoons, but I almost always add more. To get the juiciest lemon possible, push down with your palm and roll it across your countertop a few times. Then slice it open, squeeze the juice into a glass, and remove any seeds before using it in this recipe.

Adjust This Recipe To Your Dietary Needs

  • Add Dairy: Use heavy cream instead of coconut milk and add 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese at the end!
  • Add Protein: Grilled chicken or sautéed shrimp would taste great over this one-pot lemon pasta.
One-Pot Lemon Pasta (V/GF)
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One-Pot Lemon Pasta (V/GF)

0 from 0 votes
Recipe by Samantha Russo Course: MainCuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Cooking time

15

minutes
Total time

15

minutes

This one-pot lemon pasta is the easiest recipe you’ll make all week! Plenty of fresh lemon, creamy coconut milk, and a splash (maybe more hehe) of white wine create the most delicious sauce for this pasta recipe. The best part? You’ll need just ONE pot to make the entire thing! That’s right, throw everything in a pot, cook, and dinner will be ready in under 20 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil, see Notes

  • 3 Garlic Cloves, minced

  • 12 Ounces Gluten-Free Pasta

  • 2 Teaspoons Salt

  • 1 Cup Coconut Milk, see Notes

  • 2 1/2 Cups Vegetable Broth, see Notes

  • 1 Cup Dry White Wine, see Notes

  • 3 Tablespoons Lemon Juice

  • 1 Teaspoon Lemon Zest

Directions

  • Add the olive oil and garlic to a large pot over medium heat, cook for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add in the pasta, salt, coconut milk, vegetable broth, and white wine. Bring to a boil and cook for 12 minutes or until pasta is al dente.
  • Turn off the heat, add in the lemon juice and zest, then stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.

Recipe Video

Notes

  • Olive Oil: You can use butter instead of olive oil.
  • Coconut Milk: If not vegan/dairy-free, use heavy cream instead.
  • Vegetable Broth: Chicken broth also works in this recipe!
  • White Wine: If you’d like to make this recipe without wine, use an extra one cup of broth instead.

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30 Minutes or Less

Pasta Primavera (V/GF)

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Pasta Primavera

There’s no better way to welcome spring than with this fresh, bright, and flavorful pasta primavera recipe! This 20-minute meal is made with gluten-free pasta and vegan ingredients. It also includes plenty of options to customize it to your dietary needs. Make this pasta primavera when you’re craving something light and healthy, but also super satisfying.

Pasta Primavera

Nothing gets me excited for warmer weather quite like a big ole’ bowl of pasta primavera. What I love most about this dish, is it’s easy to customize with whatever fresh veggies you have on-hand! This recipe is perfectly seasoned with tons of bright lemon juice and a delicious combination of dried and fresh herbs. I really can’t get enough of this stuff in the spring and summer. My favorite thing to do is make a HUGE batch of pasta primavera and enjoy it allllll week long. It’s the perfect quick, easy and healthy lunch or dinner!

What You Need To Make Pasta Primavera

Gluten-Free Pasta – You can of course use whatever pasta you’d like in this recipe. I prefer either a penne or farfalle (bow-ties) in my pasta primavera, but really any shape will work. And for my gluten-free people, Jovial Brown Rice Pasta is, and always will be my number one – but go ahead use your favorite gluten-free pasta!

Dried Italian Herbs – Using dried Italian herbs in your pasta primavera will make your life so much easier. It’s the difference between having to purchase four or five separate bottles of dried herbs at the store, versus just buying one bottle with all four or five herbs mixed in it. Also, if you don’t have dried Italian herbs in your kitchen, do yourself a favor and get some – I cook with these herbs often.

Peas – Both fresh and frozen peas will work in this recipe. I used frozen because it’s easier, but if you can get your hands on fresh peas, go ahead and use those! Regardless of which type you’re using, just throw them straight into the recipe – no need to defrost frozen peas ahead of time.

Lemon Juice – I loooooove the taste of lemon in my pasta primavera. Though if lemon’s not your thing, you can cut the amount in this recipe in half. But if you’re like me, feel free to add an extra tablespoon or two of lemon juice to this recipe.

Fresh Parsley or Basil – I’ve made this recipe using both types of fresh herbs and they were equally as incredible. This comes down to personal preference. Pick whichever herb you like best, and add it to your recipe.

Adjust This Recipe To Your Dietary Needs

  • Make it Low-Carb: Use your favorite high-protein lentil or chickpea pasta in this recipe to make it higher in protein and lower in carbs.
  • Add Dairy: If you’re not dairy-free, sprinkle a little parmesan cheese on top of your finished dish.
  • Make it Paleo: Toss your cooked vegetables with some zucchini noodles for a paleo pasta primavera!
Pasta Primavera (V/GF)
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Pasta Primavera (V/GF)

0 from 0 votes
Recipe by Samantha Russo Course: MainCuisine: Italian/AmericanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

6

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

15

minutes
Total time

20

minutes

There’s no better way to welcome spring than with this fresh, bright, and flavorful pasta primavera recipe! This 20-minute meal is made with gluten-free pasta and vegan ingredients. It also includes plenty of options to customize it to your dietary needs. Make this pasta primavera when you’re craving something light and healthy, but also super satisfying.

Ingredients

  • 12 Ounces Gluten-Free Pasta, see NOTES

  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

  • 1 Yellow Onion, chopped

  • 8 Ounces Asparagus, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces

  • 1 Yellow Bell Pepper, cut into strips

  • 1 Red Bell Pepper, cut into strips

  • 1 Zucchini, chopped

  • 1 Yellow Squash, chopped

  • 1 Cup Peas

  • 3 Garlic Cloves, minced

  • 1 Tablespoon Dried Italian Herbs

  • 1 Teaspoon Salt

  • 1/4 Teaspoon Black Pepper

  • 1 Cup Grape Tomatoes, halved

  • 2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice

  • 1/4 Cup Fresh Parsley or Basil, chopped

Directions

  • Cook pasta according to the package directions (don’t forget to salt your pasta water!).Pasta Primavera Process Photo 1
  • While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large pot or skillet. Add in the onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.Pasta Primavera Process Photo 2
  • Add in the asparagus, yellow bell pepper, and red bell pepper – cook for 2-3 more minutes.Pasta Primavera Process Photo 3
  • Add in the zucchini, squash, peas, garlic, Italian herb, salt, and pepper. Mix to combine and cook for 2-3 minutes.Pasta Primavera Process Photo 4
  • Turn off the heat, add in your cooked pasta, grape tomatoes, lemon juice, and parsley.Pasta Primavera Process Photo 5

Notes

  • Gluten-Free Pasta: I use and love Jovial Brown Rice Farfalle Pasta in this recipe, but any gluten-free pasta will work.
  • Feel free to add in or remove any vegetables you’d like. The point of this pasta is to be loaded with your favorite fresh vegetables. Have fun with this recipe and don’t be scared to make it your own!

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