Looking for bold, smoky flavors and a creamy, comforting dish that just happens to be completely plant-based? This easy vegan Cajun pasta is exactly what you need.
Made with a homemade Cajun seasoning blend, fresh sautéed veggies, and a rich, dairy-free sauce, this recipe brings restaurant-quality flavor to your table — in under 30 minutes. It’s spicy, creamy, satisfying, and totally vegan.
Perfect for busy weeknights or whenever you’re craving something hearty and delicious without the meat or dairy.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bold, smoky Cajun flavor from a custom spice mix
- Creamy dairy-free sauce made with coconut milk or almond milk
- Loaded with veggies like bell peppers, tomatoes, and onion
- Totally vegan and easily made gluten-free
- Ready in just 30 minutes — perfect for weeknight dinners!
🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need
Homemade Cajun Seasoning
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
Pasta & Sauce
- 8 oz pasta (penne or fettuccine work great)
- 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup coconut milk (or unsweetened almond/soy milk)
- ½ cup vegetable broth
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast (for a cheesy flavor)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
🍝 How to Make Vegan Cajun Pasta
1. Mix the Cajun Seasoning
In a small bowl, stir together smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, cayenne, black pepper, and salt. Set aside — you’ll season the veggies and sauce with this.
2. Cook the Pasta
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside — don’t overcook, as it will continue cooking slightly in the sauce.
3. Sauté the Vegetables
While the pasta cooks, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté for 3–4 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
Add sliced bell peppers and cherry tomatoes. Sprinkle half the Cajun seasoning over the veggies. Cook for 5–6 minutes, until the peppers soften and the tomatoes start to burst.
4. Make the Creamy Cajun Sauce
Pour in the coconut milk and vegetable broth. Stir in nutritional yeast and the remaining Cajun seasoning. Let the sauce simmer for 5–8 minutes until thick and creamy. Stir frequently so it doesn’t stick.
Taste and adjust with salt or more seasoning if desired.
5. Combine Pasta and Sauce
Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the creamy Cajun sauce. Let everything simmer together for 2–3 minutes to soak up the flavors.
6. Serve & Garnish
Remove from heat, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve hot! Add a sprinkle of extra nutritional yeast for bonus cheesy flavor if you’d like.
💡 Recipe Tips & Variations
- Adjust the spice: Use less cayenne for a milder dish, or more for an extra kick.
- Swap the milk: Coconut milk adds the richest texture, but almond or soy milk work great for a lighter version. Always choose unsweetened.
- Add more veggies: Mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, or broccoli make great add-ins!
- Make it gluten-free: Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish completely gluten-free.
- Make it a protein meal: Add pan-seared tofu, tempeh, or vegan sausage for extra protein.
🥗 Nutrition Info (Per Serving – Approximate)
- Calories: 350–450 kcal
- Protein: 10–12g
- Carbs: 45–60g
- Fat: 15–18g
- Fiber: 6–8g
- Vitamins: A, C (from bell peppers and tomatoes)
Nutrition will vary depending on your pasta and milk choices.
🧡 Why This Vegan Cajun Pasta Works
This creamy vegan Cajun pasta proves that comfort food can be both plant-based and full of flavor. The warm spices from the Cajun blend pair beautifully with the smooth, rich sauce and vibrant vegetables.
It’s a satisfying, one-pan dish that’s:
- Easy to make
- Full of nourishing ingredients
- Comforting and spicy
- Great for meal prep
- Crowd-pleasing (even for non-vegans!)
Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or just exploring plant-based cooking, this is a must-try recipe that hits all the right notes.
🍴 Recipe Card
Vegan Cajun Pasta (Quick & Easy)
Author: Mila | Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 20 mins | Total Time: 30 mins
Yield: 2–3 servings | Category: Main | Method: Stovetop | Cuisine: Cajun/Vegan
Ingredients
Cajun Seasoning:
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
For the Pasta:
- 8 oz pasta (penne, fettuccine, or gluten-free)
- 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup coconut or unsweetened almond milk
- ½ cup vegetable broth
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Mix Cajun seasoning in a small bowl.
- Cook pasta until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium. Sauté onion and garlic until soft.
- Add peppers and tomatoes. Sprinkle in half the seasoning. Cook 5–6 mins.
- Pour in milk and broth. Stir in nutritional yeast and remaining seasoning.
- Simmer for 5–8 mins until creamy.
- Add pasta and toss to coat. Cook 2–3 more mins.
- Garnish with parsley and serve!
Notes
- Coconut milk gives the richest sauce, but you can use almond or soy milk.
- Add mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini for variation.
- Adjust spice to your liking by changing the cayenne level.
- For gluten-free: use GF pasta.