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You will love this delicious creamy Vegan Spinach and Artichoke Pasta Bake recipe. It’s like having spinach and artichoke dip, but for dinner! Dairy-free, plant-based & so easy to make. Jump to Recipe
side view of a serving of creamy vegan spinach artichoke pasta bake served in a white bowl

Just when I thought pasta could not get more comforting, creamy and delicious, than my Fettucine Alfredo, I used my Spinach Artichoke dip for inspiration for this Creamy Vegan Spinach Artichoke Pasta, topped with breadcrumbs.

It’s fresh yet oh so creamy, fancy yet very easy to make any day of the week, and as tasty as can be. It’s basically the same concept as a restaurant-style spinach & artichoke dip but served as a pasta bake. I use tofu for the creamy base in this one. To make it without soy, just use my nut based spinach artichoke dip. Thin it a bit with non dairy milk, mix in the pasta and done.

overhead shot of a plate of vegan spinach and artichoke pasta bake with breadcrumb topping

This pasta bake is a great dish for an easy weeknight dinner, but as it is such a crowd-pleaser, it would also be perfect for a big party!

Many creamy vegan pasta dishes rely on soaked blended cashews for that perfect silky texture. Here I wanted to offer you a nut-free version so we use tofu. My tofu-based sauce has the same smooth consistency as cashews with zero prep effort as you don’t have to remember soaking the nuts and the dish only has a fraction of the fat and calories.

The silken tofu and non-dairy milk make the sauce so sinfully creamy, and the nutritional yeast adds such a wonderful cheesy flavor.

To really give the umami notes in this dish a boost, I added a small amount of miso paste and I recommend you do the same. It’s just so good.

On to the obvious main players in this recipe: We pack a good 5 oz of spinach and an entire can of artichokes in there. I don’t have to tell you just how well those two go together. This creamy vegan spinach pasta tastes just like the restaurant dip served up as a filling main. GENIUS!

Ingredients needed for making Vegan Spinach Artichoke Pasta Bake:

  • Pasta – go with your favorite type and shape and cook according to the instructions on the package. I opted for mediumshells for this recipe, but fusilli or penne would also do.
  • Spinach – I used frozen and thawed spinach but you could also use fresh.
  • Artichokes – the canned variety. I used the ones packed in water as opposed to the oily ones. Make sure to drain them.
  • Nutritional yeast for that signature cheesy taste we love about spinach and artichoke dip.
  • Tofu makes this dairy-free pasta sauce wonderfully creamy.  I recommend using firm or silken tofu, which easily blends into a smooth and creamy sauce but firm works as well.
  • Miso is a Japanese seasoning made from fermented soybeans and has a rich, salty flavor. In traditional Japanese cuisine, it’s used in sauces, soups, and stocks, but it also works so well as an umami booster for many other dishes like this vegan pasta sauce! 
  • Seasonings: onion powder, ground mustard as well as some dried basil or dill
  • A dash of fresh lemon juice cuts through the richness of the sauce.
  • Breadcrumb Topping –  a blend of breadcrumbs, red pepper flakes, salt and dried Italian herbs such as oregano, thyme, rosemary

overhead shot of ingredients needed for making spinach artichoke pasta bake

Tips and Variations for making this Vegan Pasta Bake:

  • As the pasta will bake in the sauce for an additional 20 minutes, you absolutely get away with undercooking the pasta a bit. At least make sure you don’t overcook them before baking as they might turn too soft.
  • For some added spice, add in some chopped green chiles or jalapeños halfway through sauteeing the onions.
  • If you are using marinated canned artichokes, you might not need to add that many dried herbs.
  • Feel free to add a dash of Cajun seasoning for a Southern twist.
  • You could serve this vegan spinach pasta topped with sliced green onions for fancy date night presentation.
  • Want some crunch? Add some chopped water chestnuts before baking.
  • Soy-free: Use my nut based spinach artichoke dip for thee sauce

How to make Vegan Spinach Artichoke Pasta recipe – Step by Step

 1. Cook the pasta according to instruction and set aside.
2. Heat oil a skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and pinch of salt.

chopped red onions being sauteed in a black skillet

3. Sautee the onions until golden.

chopped onions being sauteed in a black skillet

4. Transfer the onions to a blender together with the rest of the sauce ingredients. Blend until smooth

ingredients for creamy vegan spinach and artichoke pasta sauce in a blender

5. Add olive oil to a baking dish.

overhead shot of a casserole dish with cooked shell pasta, spinach, and chopped artichokes

6. Add the cooked pasta, spinach, chopped artichokes, and the blended sauce. Toss to mix well. Rinse out the blender with 2 tbsp water and add.

spinach artichoke pasta bake ready to go in the oven

spinach artichoke pasta bake topped with breadcrumb topping ready to go in the oven

7. Sprinkle the pasta with breadcrumbs, pepper flakes, herbs and some more salt on top. Spray the topping with some oil for that gorgeous golden brown look.

side view close up of a red casserole dish with creamy vegan artichoke spinach pasta bake

8. Bake the pasta at 400 F for 22 mins. Broil for a minute or so to brown the top. Remove from the oven, serve

overhead shot of a vegan spinach and artichoke pasta bake with breadcrumb topping

Can I make this vegan pasta recipe on the stovetop?

Yes, you can! For making spinach artichoke pasta on the stovetop, combine the spinach, chopped artichokes, and sauce and bring to a boil. Add the cooked pasta and mix well. Cover and cook for 2 mins. Sprinkle in some pepper flakes, dried herbs, and vegan parm.

More vegan pasta recipes from the blog:

Vegan Spinach Artichoke Pasta Bake

4.97 from 54 votes
By: Vegan Richa
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 40 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
You will love this delicious vegan spinach and artichoke pasta bake recipe. It's like having spinach and artichoke dip, but for dinner! Nutfree.
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Ingredients 
 

  • 7-8 oz pasta, , such as shells, penne or ziti
  • 5 oz spinach, (thawed if frozen, finely chopped if fresh)
  • 14 oz can of artichoke hearts drained and chopped

Sauce

  • 1 tsp oil
  • 1/2 onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
  • 7 oz firm tofu or silken tofu, , see notes for Soyfree
  • 1 1/4  cup non dairy milk such as almond, oat, or soy
  • 1 tsp flour
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp ground mustard
  • 1/2 tsp dried basil or dill
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp nutritional yeast, more if needed
  • 2 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 -2 tsp miso

Topping

  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 tsp dried italian herbs such as oregano,, thyme, rosemary
  • a good dash of salt

Instructions 

  • Cook the pasta according to instruction and set aside. thaw the spinach if using frozen. Chop the artichoke hearts.
  • Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced onions, garlic and pinch of salt and cook until golden.
  • Transfer them to a blender with the rest of the sauce ingredients and blend everything until smooth. Taste and adjust flavor(salt, tang, cheesyness). Some tofus can take over the flavor so add more of the herbs and nutritional yeast if needed.
  • Add some olive oil to a baking dish. Add the cooked pasta, spinach, chopped artichokes and the blended sauce. Toss to mix well. Rinse out the blender with 2 tbsp water and add.
  • Sprinkle the pasta with breadcrumbs, pepper flakes, herbs, and a little salt and optional vegan parm. For the perfect brown topping, spray or drizzle with some olive oil.
  • Bake the pasta at 400 F (205 C) for 22 mins. Then broil for a minute or so to brown the topping.
  • Remove the dish from the oven, and serve.
    Store: Cool completely and refrigerate for upto 3 days.

For making this on the stovetop:

  • Combine the spinach, chopped artichokes and sauce and bring to a boil.
  • Add the cooked pasta and mix well to combine. Cover and cook for 2 mins. Sprinkle in some pepper flakes, dried herbs, and vegan parm.

Video

Notes

  • As the pasta will bake in the sauce for an additional 20 minutes, you absolutely get away with undercooking the pasta a bit. At least make sure you don't overcook them before baking as they might turn too soft.
  • For some added spice, add in some chopped green chiles or jalapeños halfway through sauteeing the onions.
  • Feel free to add a dash of Cajun seasoning for a Southern twist.
  • You could serve this vegan spinach pasta topped with sliced green onions for fancy date night presentation.
  • For Soy-free: Use my nut based spinach artichoke dip as the pasta sauce. Add non dairy milk as needed.

Nutrition

Calories: 411.73kcal, Carbohydrates: 60.11g, Protein: 15.56g, Fat: 13.92g, Saturated Fat: 1.54g, Sodium: 484.2mg, Potassium: 530.81mg, Fiber: 6.48g, Sugar: 4.6g, Vitamin A: 4352.22IU, Vitamin C: 33.48mg, Calcium: 199.55mg, Iron: 3.46mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this recipe? Rate and comment below!

About Richa

Hi, I'm Richa! I create flavorful plant based recipes that are inspired by my Indian upbringing, including many gluten-free, soy-free, and oil-free options.

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4.97 from 54 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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142 Comments

  1. Choirgirl says:

    I was looking for a creamy sauce for a baked pasta main dish, and this sauce recipe sounded perfect! I made the sauce pretty much per the directions, using fresh dill, and added a little extra lemon juice and some Dijon mustard to smooth out the tofu flavor.

    Instead of spinach and artichoke, I used spring veggies for an Easter main dish…leeks, snap peas, and asparagus. I used panko bread crumbs, everything bagel seasoning, and vegan parm for the topping.
    The sauce absolutely made the best vegan pasta bake I’ve cooked!

    1. Vegan Richa Support says:

      So glad to hear it!

      1. Kimberly Campbell says:

        5 stars
        I absolutely love this recipe! I made this for the first time about a month ago, this time I’m doubling it. Normally I feel guilty having a creamy sauce, but this is so satisfying and I don’t have to feel like I’m eating something that’s bad for me. Love love love this!

        1. Vegan Richa Support says:

          So glad you liked it!

  2. Mindy says:

    5 stars
    Made this the other night and we loved it! Definitely putting this in the regular rotation – thank you!

    1. Vegan Richa Support says:

      Yay!! So glad to hear it!