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    Home » Recipes » Pasta and Noodles

    Vegan Taco Pasta

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    Updated: Apr 17, 2024 · by Willow Moon · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
    Jump to Recipe Pin

    This easy Vegan Taco Pasta is a healthy weeknight meal. Made with spicy crumbled tofu, onion, diced tomatoes, and taco spices.

    Vegan Taco Pasta in a bowl.

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    This Vegan Taco Pasta has all the flavors of tacos but in pasta form. This fusion dish has spicy crumbled tofu, which is almost the same recipe as my Spicy Tofu Tacos but with doubled the amount of spices since there's pasta with it.

    In this recipe, I used marinara sauce and diced tomatoes instead of tomato paste. I kept this vegan pasta pretty simple.

    You could use black bean and corn salsa in place of the diced tomatoes, or even add black beans and corn to the mix. I personally like it without.

    Sometimes simple is best. For me, it was a textural thing. I didn't want any contrasting textures this time around.

    Some other pasta recipes to try are my Vegan Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta recipe, Vegan Pumpkin Pasta recipe, and Vegan Mushroom and Onion Pasta, or check out my roundup of easy pasta recipes.

    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why You'll Love It
    • 🧾 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 💭 Tips
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs
    • Other Vegan Pasta Recipes
    • 📋 Recipe
    • Vegan Taco Pasta
    • 💬 Comments

    ❤️ Why You'll Love It

    • It has all the flavors of tacos but in pasta form.
    • It is a comforting meal.
    • It is made in 30 minutes.

    🧾 Ingredients

    Vegan Taco Pasta ingredients on a cutting board with labels.
    Vegan Taco Pasta ingredients on a cutting board with labels.
    • Pasta: I used gluten-free fusilli noodles. You could also use shell pasta, spaghetti, or another type of pasta that holds the sauce well.
    • Onion: Adds a sweet pungent flavor.
    • Olive oil: For cooking the veggies. Any high-heat neutral oil will work.
    • Garlic: Adds a pungent flavor.
    • Tofu: I used extra firm tofu packed in water found in the refrigerated section of the grocery store. You could also use firm tofu.
    • Chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, Mexican oregano: Adds a taco flavor. You could also use taco seasoning.
    • Salt and black pepper: Enhances flavors and adds flavor. I like to use sea salt.
    • Marinara sauce: Use your favorite marinara sauce. If it has herbs and spices, all the better.
    • Diced tomatoes: I used canned tomatoes. You could also use fresh tomatoes or salsa.
    • Vegan cheddar (optional): Adds a cheesy bite. I like Follow Your Heart and Daiya brands of vegan cheese.
    • Cilantro (optional): Adds a fresh note. You could leave it off. You could also use green onions.

    To see the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

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    🔪 Instructions

    Pasta in boiling water in a saucepan.

    Step 1: Cook pasta according to directions, reserving some of the pasta water.

    Chopped onion and garlic in a frying pan.

    Step 2: In a skillet over medium heat cook onions in olive oil until translucent. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds longer.

    Crumbled tofu added to the pan.

    Step 3: Add tofu and cook until starting to brown.

    Marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, and spices added to the pan.

    Step 4: Add herbs, spices, diced tomatoes, and marinara sauce.

    Tofu mixture in a pan.

    Step 5: Mix thoroughly.

    Pasta added to the tofu mixture in the skillet.

    Step 6: Add pasta and pasta water and cook through.

    Taco Pasta in a skillet bird's eye view.

    💭 Tips

    • I like things decently spicy, so you might want to start with less spice. You can always add more, but you can't take it away. If you're feeding kids, I especially suggest starting with less spice.
    • You could switch out the diced tomatoes for some salsa, like black bean and corn, but keep in mind it will add more spice.
    • You can add some shredded vegan cheddar or vegan sour cream. Both will not only cool it down if it's too spicy but add some creaminess as well.
    Vegan Taco Pasta in a bowl.

    👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs

    What is taco pasta?

    Taco pasta is pasta with all the flavors you'd find in tacos.

    What to serve with taco pasta?

    Vegan Calabacitas, Mexican Cauliflower Rice, Zucchini Tots, a salad, coleslaw, or roasted veggies.

    Other Vegan Pasta Recipes

    • Vegan Macaroni Salad in two bowls.
      Vegan Macaroni Salad
    • Red Lentil Pasta Salad with Chickpeas in a wood bowl.
      Red Lentil Pasta Salad with Chickpeas
    • Tofu Mac and Cheese in a bowl.
      Super Creamy Tofu Mac and Cheese
    • Tofu Peanut Noodles in. a bowl. with chopsticks.
      Tofu Peanut Noodles

    If you tried this Vegan Taco Pasta Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and let me know how you like it in the 💬 comments below. I love hearing from you!

    📋 Recipe

    Vegan Taco Pasta in a bowl.
    Pin Print
    5 from 2 votes

    Vegan Taco Pasta

    This easy Vegan Taco Pasta is a healthy weeknight meal. Made with spicy crumbled tofu, onion, diced tomatoes, and taco spices. 
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Mexican inspired
    Diet Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 25 minutes minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes minutes
    Servings 8
    Calories 171kcal
    Author Willow Moon
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    Ingredients

    • 8 ounces gluten free fusilli noodles I used brown rice
    • 1 cup chopped onions
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 clove garlic minced
    • 14 ounces extra firm tofu crumbled into small pieces
    • 2 teaspoons chili powder
    • 2 teaspoons cumin
    • 1 teaspoon paprika
    • 1 teaspoon cayenne
    • 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano crushed
    • Salt and pepper
    • 1 ½ cups marinara sauce
    • ½ cup diced tomatoes
    • Shredded vegan cheddar for topping (optional)
    • Chopped cilantro for topping (optional)
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Cook the fusilli noodles according to package directions, but a couple of minutes less since they will be cooked again with the sauce. Drain the pasta saving about ¼ cup to ½ cup pasta water.
    • Add olive oil to a hot pan. Add chopped onions and cook until translucent.
    • Add garlic. Cook for 30 seconds.
    • Add crumbled tofu. Cook for about 5-10 minutes, or until starting to turn golden brown in areas.
    • Add herbs and spices,marinara sauce, and diced tomatoes. Mix thoroughly and cook for a few minutes.
    • Add pasta with the pasta water and cook until cooked through, about two minutes.

    Notes

    If you're feeding kids, I especially suggest starting with less spice.
    This pasta recipe will last about 5 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
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    Nutrition

    Calories: 171kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 288mg | Potassium: 315mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 615IU | Vitamin C: 6.2mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 1.9mg

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    *Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.

    More Pasta

    • Vegan Eggplant Lasagna on a plate with baking dish in the background.
      Vegan Eggplant Lasagna
    • Vegan Lentil Skillet Lasagna in a large skillet.
      Vegan Lentil Skillet Lasagna
    • Vegan Pesto Shirataki Noodles
      Vegan Pesto Shirataki Noodles
    • Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta
      Vegan Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta

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