A big fan of spicy vegetarian pasta recipes but stuck in a rut with making just one or two? Check out this list featuring the best, the spiciest, and the easiest pasta meals for a quick lunch or easy midweek dinner.
Over here at The Fiery Vegetarian, spicy is my middle name. So who better than me to bring you this list of fiery carby deliciousness? I’ve got a few notes on how to tweak spice to your preference, how to ensure your pasta is truly vegetarian (hint – check your cheese), and then let’s get straight into our list of delicious vegetarian spicy pasta dishes.
Tweaking spice levels
We all love some spice (well most of us) but nobody likes getting a tantalizing plate of hot pasta goodness, only to find out when they try it, that it’s literally too spicy to eat.
If like me, you love a bit of spice, then the biggest, best, and the most useful rule is to know your spice level.
Most recipes usually include a guide as to how spicy that recipe is and how to tweak that level up or down. First off, it’s best to identify which level you can comfortably eat at.
Mild: If you’re the kind of person that enjoys a korma or a mild salsa, but any dish that you can visibly see red hot pepper flakes in is too hot for you, and you pick off the pickled jalapeños on ordered items, then you’re squarely in the mild zone.
Medium: If you love a good Tikka masala or Jalfrezi, and you’re comfortable with anything you can order at Taco Bell (apart from the fire nachos), and a bit of sliced chili or jalapeño is a pleasant surprise, then this is your level.
Hot: If you’re a madras or jalfrezi kind of person, who has been known to eat pickled jalapeños or peperoncino all on their own, can identify at least three types of hot sauce (and you have each one in your cupboard) then this is where you belong.
NB: Always err on the milder side of what you think you can tolerate because you can always add more spice in, but you can’t take it out. If you do make something too spicy for you to eat, try adding cream, creme fraiche, or more cheese to the sauce to cool it down a little.
For a dish for four people, depending on what you add, this is roughly where the amounts of hot sauce, cayenne pepper, and chili flakes should be. Note that these levels will be milder if anything creamy (cream, creme fraiche, coconut milk, cream cheese) is added, in which case you’ll have to test between 1.5 to 2 times more the amount depending on how much of the creamy element is added.
A good rule of thumb is to test the sauce as soon as the spicy element has been added and then take into account whether a creamy element will be added later (in which case it will be slightly milder) or whether the sauce is going to be cooked down (in which case the spice level will increase slightly).
| Level | Fresh chili pepper (cayenne, jalapeño) | Ground cayenne | Chili flakes | Sriracha | Harissa | Hot sauce (vinegar-based e.g. Tabasco) |
| Mild | ½ seeded pepper | ¼ teaspoon | ⅛ teaspoon | 1 tablespoon | 1 tablespoon | 1 teaspoon |
| Medium | 1 seeded pepper | ¼ – ½ teaspoon | ¼ teaspoon | 1.5-2 tablespoons | 1.5 tablespoons | 1.5 teaspoons |
| Hot | 1 pepper and up | ½ teaspoon and up | ½ teaspoon and up | 2.5 tablespoons and up | 2 tablespoons and up | 2 teaspoons and up |
Vegetarian cheese
A lot of spicy vegetarian pasta dishes feature some cheesy goodness or call for some cheese to be sprinkled on top to finish off the dish. Just be careful that the cheese you are using is actually vegetarian.
For example, in Europe, no cheese labeled Parmesan or Parmigiano Reggiano can be vegetarian, instead vegetarian alternatives must be labeled Italian-style hard cheese or Parmesan-style cheese. In other countries, such as the US, Canada, and Australia, vegetarian “parmesan” does exist (it doesn’t use rennet extracted from calves) but you will need to double-check the label.
Other cheeses which can oftentimes contain animal-produced rennet and as such, not be considered vegetarian (although there are vegetarian-friendly alternative versions available so do check the labels) include (but are not limited to):
- Camembert
- Emmenthaler
- Gorgonzola
- Grana Padano
- Gruyère
- Manchego
- Mozzarella
- Pecorino Romano
- Roquefort
Readers in the UK and Ireland should be able to check for a vegetarian or “V” stamp on their cheese, those in the USA can refer to this handy list of vegetarian cheeses.
The recipes
Now that I’ve laid the groundwork, onto our list of delicious spicy vegetarian pasta recipes! We have a huge selection, ranging from Thai and Indian-inspired recipes to more classic Italian ones, as well as pasta salads and bakes, and even vegan dishes.
Spicy Vegetarian Pasta Recipes
Check out this list of Italian, Mexican, Tex-Mex, and Indian-inspired spicy vegetarian pasta recipes and pasta salads, perfect for a quick lunch or dinner!
Quick Gochujang Pasta
A satisfying delicious creamy spicy pasta dish that is easy to make and ready in just 20 minutes, this quick gochujang pasta is also vegan so everyone can enjoy it.
Best Arrabbiata Pasta Sauce Recipe EVER
This spicy thick rich vegetarian pasta sauce is based on a restaurant favorite and took years to get just right!
Creamy Sriracha Pasta (4 ingredients 15 minutes!)
Creamy spicy Sriracha pasta, an easy vegetarian dish with just four ingredients!
Easy Harissa Pasta (Spicy, Creamy & Vegan!)
This spicy harissa pasta is bursting with vegan flavor and is super quick to make.
Espagueti Verde (Vegan Green Spaghetti)
A creamy spicy vegan fusion dish where Italy meets Mexican cuisine.
Spaghetti Aglio, Olio e Peperoncino (Spaghetti with Garlic, Oil & Chili)
An oldie but a goodie, spaghetti aglio olio e peperoncino is a simple but flavorful Italian dish, skip the cheese to easily make it vegan and swap out the pecorino for a hard vegetarian Italian cheese.
15 MINUTE SPICY CHIPOTLE PASTA (Easy, Vegan Recipe)
Quick easy and vegan, with just a handful of ingredients and goes great with non-traditional pasta such as brown rice pasta.
Spaghetti with Jalapeno and Serrano Pesto
A super tasty and spicy alternative to regular pesto, with crunchy panko breadcrumbs to finish it off.
Spicy Vegan Peanut Pasta Salad
This spicy vegan pasta salad uses up leftovers and is perfect for hot weather and packed with tons of fresh veggies.
Long Fusilli Pasta with Pesto Calabrese
A creamy vegetarian Calabrese pesto recipe with a spicy kick that's quick and easy to make.
Spicy Roasted Poblano Pesto Pasta (Vegan+Gluten-free)
This vegan dish includes a spicy homemade poblano pesto and comes together in just thirty minutes.
Tenderstem Broccoli, Chilli & Garlic Spaghetti
This simple vegetarian pasta dish needs just a handful of ingredients and packs a big fusion of flavor!
Spaghetti with Spicy Tomato Sauce recipe (Indian style spaghetti recipe)
This spicy tomato sauce fuses Italian flavors with an Indian influence for an unusual but tasty pasta dish.
Simple Spaghetti Arrabiata
This simple spaghetti arrabiata is a delicious spicy easy-to-make sauce, ready in under 30 minutes. It is based on my favorite arrabita recipe (see number two in this list) but refined to make it a bit more authentic and cling to spaghetti noodles better.
Simple Haitian Spaghetti
This tasty fusion dish is vegan, ready in just twenty minutes, and is a popular breakfast dish in Haiti.
Baked Penne with Spicy Vodka Sauce
A rich delicious dish featuring spicy creamy vodka sauce, all baked up with gooey mozzarella.
Butter Masala Pasta
This dish takes all the flavors of Indian dishes like butter chicken and makes an easy vegetarian creamy spicy meal.
Instant Pot Thai Red Curry Pasta
Another easy tasty fusion pasta, made in the Instant Pot and full of Thai curry flavors.
Taco Pasta Instant Pot | Stovetop (Vegetarian )
A cheesy spicy vegetarian pasta dish made in 30 minutes and suitable for either the Instant pot or the stovetop.
Vegan Cajun Pasta with Shredded Oyster Mushroom
Rich, creamy, spicy, and vegan with shredded mushrooms adding texture and favor, and ready in under half an hour.
Easy Vegetarian Rasta Pasta
Luscious easy vegetarian rasta pasta, creamy and spicy and popping with flavor from jerk seasoning.
Southwest Vegan Mac and Cheese
Vegan, creamy, and cheesy but packed with Southwest flavor, this dish is like a bowl of tacos-meet-mac-and-cheese!
Vegan Jalape�o Popper Pasta
If like me you're a big fan of Jalapeño poppers, then this spicy pasta is the pasta dish for you! Decadent and delicious, with spicy jalapeños, vegan cheese, and crisp breadcrumbs.
Spicy Tomato Zucchini Noodles Pasta
A low-carb easy vegan spicy tomato-based sauce over zoodles.
Spicy Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
A great combo of mac and cheese and cauliflower cheese (with a kick) makes this vegetarian dish a must-try.
Vegetarian Fajita Pasta - Instant Pot & Stovetop
An amazing vegetarian fusion dish, all the goodness of fajitas in an easy-to-eat creamy spiced one-pot version!
Jalape�o Cheddar Vegan Mac and Cheese
Creamy, cheesy, and spicy, this jalapeño cheddar vegan mac and cheese comes together in just twenty-five minutes!
Spicy Pasta Salad
This spicy pasta salad is full of deli-style deliciousness - smoked gouda, pepperoncini, and sun-dried tomatoes are just some of the delicious ingredients.
Southwest Pasta Salad
A vegetarian (but easily veganized) Southwest-style pasta salad which uses chickpea pasta for added fiber and protein.
Spicy Zhoug Brussels Sprouts Pasta
A spicy fresh lemony nutritious pasta recipe, vegan, and with gluten-free and oil-free options.
Spicy Jalape�o Pasta Salad (Vegan, Gluten Free)
This spicy Jalapeño pasta salad is where hot meets cold and is perfect for summer barbecues or potluck events.
Spicy Artichoke, Mushroom & Spinach Pasta
A yummy vegan spicy smoky creamy tomato pasta sauce with artichoke hearts, spinach, and chestnut mushrooms, perfect for coating short tube pasta.
Best Tikka Masala Pasta Recipe
Another great fusion dish, this tikka masala pasta is rich and creamy, with Indian spices, and ready in just fifteen minutes.
One-Pot Calabacitas Goulash
An easy healthy mildly-spiced pasta that you can make in just one pot in around fifteen minutes.
Gluten-Free Buffalo Pasta Salad (Vegan, Allergy-Free)
A gluten-free vegan bold and spicy pasta salad that is easy and quick to whip up.
Spicy Hummus Pasta with Roasted Eggplant
A healthy easy spicy hummus pasta with tons of veggies, and vegan too!
10-Minute Vegan Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
A quick easy vegan roasted red pepper sauce for pasta with a mild kick from Tabasco hot sauce (or use your hot sauce of choice).
Tip – Salt your water!
As many serious pasta enthusiasts know by know, to truly produce a good pasta dish, you need to liberally salt the cooking water. No matter how tasty the sauce, you’re in for some pretty bland pasta if you don’t salt that water enough that it tastes like seawater.
Salting the pasta water liberally from the beginning allows the pasta to be evenly seasoned from the inside out, and creates a great foundation for your meal. About a tablespoon per pound of pasta should suffice, and don’t worry, the pasta won’t absorb all the salt. You can use any type of salt, even low-sodium, although iodized salt is discouraged because of the strange flavor it imparts.
Lastly, don’t throw out all the starchy cloudy cooking water. It’s ideal for loosening overly thick pasta sauces and a tablespoon or two added to even the most perfect sauce helps ensure that the sauce clings perfectly to the pasta. I usually dip in a cup into the pot (as it has a handle so I don’t burn my hand) when the pasta has finished cooking, set it to one side whole I drain the pasta and toss with the sauce, and then add in a little or as needed.
Did you make any of these spicy vegetarian pasta recipes? Let me know how much you loved them in the comments below. or which ones you’d love to try.
Janice Kay Short
Hi Deirdre,
This is an AMAZING post! I do love fiery vegetarian food and I have saved many of these recipes to try. But you really did us all a great service in two ways.
First, your comprehensive description of the different levels of spice and how to achieve them provides a great guideline. I like medium to hot but I often share my creations with a friend in the very mild category, and your suggestions are very helpful.
Second, the list of vegetarian cheeses…where has it been all my life? I have been on a 30-year search for good cheeses without rennet. I found Sartori two years ago and am pleased to see their delicious cheeses made your list. Their parmesan has won two International Gold Medals! Whole Foods stocks it and some others and Wegmans carries a few. The asiago with olive oil and rosemary is awesome.
Thanks so much, and keep up the GREAT work — we veg heads need you!!!
Deirdre Gilna
Hi Janice, I am so pleased this post was useful for you, and I honestly have to say this is one of the loveliest most thoughtful comments I’ve ever received! Thanks so much for stopping by to comment, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Jacqueline Debono
Thanks for including my pesto Calabrese recipe. This is a great collection going to share it and try some. Your miso pasta looks so good!
Deirdre Gilna
Thank you for letting me share it!