14 Favorite Vegan Italian Recipes

Discover 14 delicious vegan Italian recipes - from pizza and pasta to pesto, salads, and dessert. These plant-based favorites are abundant with bold, classic Italian flavor - no meat or dairy needed!

Craving the comforting, savory flavors of Italy - without the meat or dairy? You've come to the right place! I've gathered 14 of my all-time favorite vegan Italian recipes, from cheesy, saucy pizzas and pasta dishes to salad, vibrant pestos, and a little something citrusy & sweet for dessert. These recipes are packed with all the bold, satisfying flavors you love, made entirely with wholesome, plant-based ingredients.

I'll admit it - Italian food wasn't my favorite growing up. I wasn't a fan of cheese, and most of the dishes I encountered were heavy with meat, which I didn't like either. It wasn't until I stopped eating animal products that I truly began to appreciate Italian cuisine. That's when I discovered the beauty of its vegetables - plump tomatoes, fresh spinach, garden grown zucchini, garlic, basil, and olives. If you love zucchini - you might like to check out these delish dishes!

The more I explored, the more I realized that plant-based Italian food is vibrant, flavorful, and deeply satisfying. Today, it's one of the cuisines I love most. I mean, just look at this gorgeous bowl pasta topped with the best vegan Bolognese sauce. What's not to love? 💚

Why Italian food is easy to veganize

Italian cuisine is adored around the world for its simplicity, warmth, and focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients. It's all about letting vegetables, herbs, and natural flavors shine - making it quite simple to veganize. With a few creative swaps like dairy-free cheese, plant-based protein, and homemade vegan pesto, you can enjoy all the comfort and richness of classic Italian dishes - without any animal products. Whether you're serving a crowd or making a cozy meal at home, vegan Italian food proves that compassion and simply delicious food can go hand in hand.

1-Pot Minestrone Soup

Easy 1-Pot Minestrone Soup - Looking for a delicious and nutritious vegan soup that's quick and easy to make? Try this simple & hearty oil-free recipe that's packed with veggies and ready to eat in under 30 minutes!

Caesar Salad

Vegan Caesar Salad Recipe - Get ready for the best vegan version of a classic Caesar salad! Crisp romaine lettuce tossed with a creamy, cheesy, & tangy plant-based dressing, topped with vegan parmesan and toasty croutons.

Spinach Pistachio Pesto

Vegan Spinach Pesto with Pistachios - A vibrant fusion of fresh spinach, basil & pistachios brightened with a splash of lemon & minced garlic. If you like pesto, you're going to LOVE this delicious and easy recipe!

Easy Homemade Parmesan

Easy Vegan Parmesan Cheese  - You'll be amazed how simple it is to whip up a fast batch of this super tasty diner-style parmesan cheese. With only four basic ingredients and in less than a minute . . . you've got cheese!

Simple Marinara Sauce

Simple Homemade Marinara Sauce - Learn how to make a simply delicious & versatile marinara to enjoy with pasta, pizza, breadsticks, veggie meatballs, veggie burgers or anything else you love with tomatoes.

Homemade Pizza Dough

Best Homemade Pizza Dough - Get ready to prepare your own perfectly crisp and chewy pizza crust from scratch using only 3 basic ingredients! Plus bonus recipes for creating these 4 fantastic plant-based pizzas!

Garden Zucchini Casserole

Garden Zucchini Squash Casserole - Fresh zucchini, yellow squash and ripe red tomatoes topped with toasted Italian breadcrumbs & vegan parmesan create this easy, healthy & colorfully delicious dish!

Vegan Bolognese Sauce

Vegan Bolognese Sauce  - A rich, thick & delicious classic Italian sauce made with all vegan ingredients including mushrooms, fresh veggies and the wildly popular plant-based brand - Impossible Meat.

Citrus Carpaccio

Citrus Carpaccio - An elevated & elegant vegan version of a classic Mediterranean starter. 100 % vegan and 100 % delish! Gluten-free & no oil option.

Spinach & Cheese Stuffed Shells

Vegan Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Cheese -Jumbo pasta shells filled with creamy vegan cheeses and spinach baked in a rich marinara sauce and topped with toasty breadcrumbs & vegan parmesan. Feeling hungry yet?

Meatless Meatballs

Best Vegan Meatless Meatballs - These hearty and delicious vegan meatballs are loaded with plant-based protein and flavor. So easy to make with just 6 ingredients, get ready for a new go-to dish to add to your favorite recipes!

Margherita Pizza

Best Homemade Vegan Margherita Pizza - with vegan cheese and your own perfectly crisp & chewy pizza crust and rich marinara sauce made from scratch. Here's everything you need to know how to make the best vegan pizza!

Zucchini Ravioli

Vegan Zucchini Ravioli - Thin slices of garden fresh zucchini wrapped around a rich filling of spinach, mushrooms, vegan sausage & plant-based cheese then topped with your favorite marinara. You won't miss the pasta with this vegan and gluten-free twist on a classic dish!

Italian Lemon Drop Cookies

Vegan Lemon Drop Cookies - Enjoy these light, soft and buttery cookies topped with a bright & citrusy lemon glaze icing. Inspired by traditional Italian lemon drop cookies, this easy vegan recipe has all the delicious flavor and texture without the eggs or dairy. How sweet is that?