Vegan Pasta Caprese

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read the full disclosure here.

We all love a good and hearty comfort food, but this vegan pasta caprese is a dish that just might surprise you. This dish is easy to make, healthy, and flavorful — an ideal combination for those looking for a nutritious, delicious meal.

Pasta Caprese is definitely one of my favorite pastas. Before I turned Vegan I really loved the combination of mozzarella with tomatoes and balsamic.

So, to recreate this dish in a plant-based way we used extra firm tofu. The texture of the tofu is pretty similar to a soft mozzarella also. We squeezed out extra liquid from the tofu, and cooked it with garlic and balsamic vinegar. This gives the tofu that Caprese flavor that many of us love. 

We decided to add in fennel root because it’s delicious, and it adds a little bit of harder texture that goes well with the rest of the dish. We had half of a fennel bulb leftover from our Easy Vegan Green Bean Casserole.

The lemon juice doesn’t overpower this pasta, but it adds a freshness to the flavor that elevates this dish. We used grapeseed oil, but you can definitely use olive oil, avocado oil, or whichever oil you prefer.

This vegan pasta Caprese recipe is an incredibly tasty dish for all to enjoy. Not only is it a delicious vegan comfort classic, it can be tailored to each individual taste.

By just swapping out the traditional cheese for a vegan-friendly alternative, you can enjoy the same authentic flavor of the classic Italian dish. With its vibrant colors, tantalizing flavors, and overall nutritional value, vegan pasta Caprese is an ideal dish for everyone to enjoy!  Are you ready to make this pasta dish?

Ingredients You Need

Vegan Caprese Tofu Pasta Recipe

• balsamic vinegar
• optional, fennel bulb, sliced
• extra firm tofu
• garlic, minced
• pasta
• tomatoes, chopped roughly
• handful fresh spinach
• fresh lemon juice
• dried basil
• salt & pepper to taste
• 1/3 cup grapeseed oil or olive, avocado, etc.

How to Make Vegan Pasta Caprese 

1. Cook pasta in salted water according to package and set aside.
2. While pasta cooks, squeeze tofu gently over a sink to drain some of its liquid. Then cut it into 1 inch cubes.
3. Put 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar in medium pot or skillet and turn heat to medium-low.
4. Cook sliced fennel and 2 cloves garlic in the balsamic vinegar for ~4 minutes, stirring often. Then add tofu and stir gently, and continue to cook for ~3 minutes. Finally stir in a handful of spinach and cook for 2 more minutes to allow it to wilt. Remove from heat.
5. In a bowl combine 1/3 cup grapeseed oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, and 1/2 tsp dried basil.
6. In a large bowl or pot toss everything together: pasta + fennel, tofu, spinach mixture + oil mixture + chopped tomatoes. Top with sliced avocado if you like!

Serving & Storing Pasta Caprese

• Feel free to eat it warm, or stick it in the refrigerator to make it an amazing vegan pasta caprese salad.

With a few simple ingredients, you can whip up this delicious meal that will please and satisfy all kinds of eaters.

Vegan Pasta Caprese is a delicious, healthy, and convenient and requires minimal effort, yet it looks and tastes like something you’d find in an upscale Italian restaurant.

Next time you’re in the kitchen, don’t hesitate to give this delicious vegan version of tofu caprese pasta a try. It’s a great way to enjoy a hearty and nutritious meal that the whole family can enjoy. Who knows, it might just become your favorite new dinner staple!

More Tofu Dishes!

• Vegan Thanksgiving Breakfast: Tofu Scramble and Veggie Hash Recipe
• Mushroom Tofu Fried Rice
• Tofu Chickpea Salad
• Refreshing Crispy Tofu Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette
• Vegan Tofu Egg Salad (without eggs!)
• Vegan Breakfast Tacos with Tofu Scramble