If you thought vegan food and cajun food are as far apart as they can be, this recipe for Instant pot vegan cajun pasta would convince you otherwise.
It's all about the seasoning for cajun food. This recipe is about mixing the seasonings with the right ingredients to get creamy pasta that your whole family can enjoy.
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This instant pot cajun pasta recipe is super easy and just as delicious as the original.
I found the right substitutes for heavy cream and chicken broth used in the traditional recipe and still made it delectable to the last drop.
Apart from the pasta cooked with a creamy sauce from oat milk, I added some smoky and spicy flavors with red pepper flakes and Cajun seasoning!
If you are like me, try some popular ones like Instant pot pesto pasta, tikka masala pasta, and Instant pot vegan mac and cheese.
Why this recipe works
It's a great option for a one-pot meal. Everything cooks in one pot, making clean-up a breeze!
It's 100% vegan and flavorful from cajun spice and veggies.
This recipe offers a great way to enjoy creamy pasta with cajun flavor if you are vegan.
You can easily adjust the spice level to your taste.
Without any meat, unlike the traditional Cajun pasta, this vegan version will be enjoyed by everyone.
It's an easy recipe for busy weeknights when you need something done in less than 30 minutes.
Ingredients note
- Penne pasta: I used the organic Costco brand. Other brands are good too. Just be sure they are vegan.
- Veggies: I like green bell peppers, mushrooms, and onion for a classic vegan cajun pasta dish. You can add other vegetables like zucchini, red bell peppers, or carrots.
- Nutritional yeast and vegan butter: These ingredients help create a creamy vegan sauce without any cheese.
- Oat milk: I use oat milk as it is vegan and has a mild flavor. You can also use almond, soy, cashew, or coconut milk.
- Cajun seasoning: You can adjust the spice level to your taste by adding more or less Cajun seasoning than I used in the recipe.
See the recipe card for a list of ingredients and quantities, plus recipe instructions. You can find the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Instructions
Start by setting the Instant pot to sauté mode and add vegan butter or olive oil. When it melts, add bell peppers and saute for a minute. Remove from the pot and keep it aside.
Add sliced mushrooms and saute for one minute. Take out the sauteed mushrooms and keep them along with bell peppers.
Add the chopped tomatoes and vegan butter and saute for one minute.
Add nutritional yeast, Cajun seasoning, oat milk, red pepper flakes, penne pasta, water, or vegetable broth, and season with salt.
Pressure cook the cajun pasta on high pressure for 5 minutes.
After the timer expires, use the quick-release option to release pressure. Caution: Maintain a safe distance from the Instant pot as you use the quick-release option.
Once the pressure has been released, open the lid and stir in sauteed bell peppers, mushrooms, and fresh parsley with the cooked pasta.
Instant Pot creamy cajun pasta is ready! Serve it hot with a side of soup or salad.
Variations
- Vegetables: Switch up the vegetables and use your favorite veggies like zucchini, carrots, cauliflower, asparagus, etc.
- Spicy: Add some heat with more red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.
- Protein: You can also add vegan sausage or tofu for added protein.
- Cajun spices: You can replace this with black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried thyme, and Italian seasoning.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat vegan cajun pasta in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Tips
- Use gluten-free penne for a gluten-free version of this pasta.
- It is necessary to use the quick-release option to keep the pasta al dente.
- Make sure to saute the bell pepper and mushrooms until golden brown for the best flavor.
- If the vegan cajun pasta is too thick, add more oat milk or a splash of broth.
- If you do not prefer any non-dairy milk, you can use a cashew cream sauce as a substitute.
- You can also adjust the spice level to your taste by adding more or less Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes.
- If you do not have an instant pot, you can cook the pasta on a stovetop or in a pressure cooker over medium heat.
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📖 Recipe
Vegan Cajun Pasta
Equipment
Process Shot
Check above for step-by-step pictures (most of my recipes include pictures)
Ingredients
- 17.6 oz pasta - Penne
- 12 oz mushrooms - sliced
- 1 green bell pepper - sliced lengthy
- 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper - optional
- 2 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 2 cup oat milk - plain, unsweetened
- salt to tatse
- 3 teaspoon olive oil
- 2½ cup water or vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon vegan butter
- 2 tomatoes - chopped
Instructions
- Start by setting the Instant pot to sauté mode and add vegan butter or olive oil. When it melts, add bell peppers and saute for a minute. Remove from the pot and keep it aside.3 teaspoon olive oil, 1 green bell pepper
- Add sliced mushrooms and saute for one minute. Take out the sauteed mushrooms and keep them along with bell peppers.12 oz mushrooms
- Add the chopped tomatoes and vegan butter and saute for one minute.1 tablespoon vegan butter, 2 tomatoes
- Add nutritional yeast, Cajun seasoning, oat milk, red pepper flakes(or cayenne pepper), penne pasta, water, or vegetable broth, and season with salt.17.6 oz pasta, 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, 2 tablespoon nutritional yeast, 2 cup oat milk, salt to tatse, 2½ cup water or vegetable broth
- Pressure cook the cajun pasta on high pressure for 5 minutes.
- After the timer expires, use the quick-release option to release pressure. Caution: Maintain a safe distance from the Instant pot as you use the quick-release option.
- Once the pressure has been released, open the lid and stir in sauteed bell peppers, mushrooms, and fresh parsley with the cooked pasta.
- Instant Pot creamy cajun pasta is ready! Serve it hot with a side of soup or salad.
Notes
- Use gluten-free penne for a gluten-free version of this pasta.
- It is necessary to use the quick-release option to keep the pasta al dente.
- Make sure to saute the bell pepper and mushrooms until golden brown for the best flavor.
- If the vegan cajun pasta is too thick, add more oat milk or a splash of broth.
- If you do not prefer any non-dairy milk, you can use a cashew cream sauce as a substitute.
- You can also adjust the spice level to your taste by adding more or less Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes.
- If you do not have an instant pot, you can cook the pasta on a stovetop or in a pressure cooker over medium heat.
YOUR OWN NOTES
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimation only.
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