20-Minute Vegetarian Pasta Dish | Easy Pizza Veggie Pasta

Can vegetables taste like pizza? In this vegetarian pasta dish, they can! Fresh veggies, pasta, and simple seasonings combine for a quick, delicious Italian dinner.

Are you a member of the “eat your vegetables” club?

I am. This phrase is the second most common at our dinner table.

In case you’re wondering, “finish your dinner” ranks #1, but we’re usually still talking about the veggies.

Getting kids to eat their vegetables sometimes seems like a never-ending battle, but I firmly believe it’s a battle worth fighting.

I want my kids to grow up enjoying vegetables, but I know I can’t control what they like and don’t like. However, I can control what food is on their plate and in turn, what food goes into their bodies.

I’m sharing a recipe today that has four different vegetables – three of which some adults may even turn up their noses at – AND IT TASTES LIKE PIZZA.

Yes, you read correctly – the combination of these veggies kinda tastes like pizza in this amazing vegetarian pasta dish!

SKILLET PIZZA VEGGIE PASTA

Once you tell your family it’s ‘pizza pasta,’ their plates will be clean in no time, which is a win in my book! And this veggie pasta is also…

• Super easy – no advanced cooking skills required for this comfort food.
• Ready super fast – 20 minutes or less from start to table with quick one-pot cleanup.
• Frugal – the vegetables can easily be tailored to whatever is in season. A bonus for those with their own garden, and a great option for your meatless pasta recipes night!
• Adaptable – use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free version or omit the cheese for a dairy-free vegan pasta dish.

VEGETARIAN PASTA DISH INGREDIENTS

The ingredients for this skillet vegetarian pasta dish are simple, healthy, and delicious together!

• Pasta. I prefer shorter pasta like rotini or penne, but you can use spaghetti pasta if that’s what you have. Gluten-free noodles work too!
• Garlic Cloves. Fresh minced garlic starts to build that pizza flavor.
• Olive Oil. To cook the veggies, coat them in fat to help them cook up to perfection.
• Veggies. Zucchini, yellow squash, and eggplant combine with the olive oil and seasonings for a delicious Italian flavor. Or add some of the seasonal veggies listed below.
• Diced Tomatoes. One can of diced tomatoes helps add that tomato sauce flavor to the pizza pasta. You can always substitute pasta sauce if you prefer.
• Salt & Black Pepper. For flavor. Don’t be afraid of adding extra salt – it really makes the rest of the flavors pop!
• Italian Seasoning. A full Tablespoon of Italian herbs really gives that pizza flavor to this veggie pasta recipe. Here’s how to make it at home.
• Cheese. I like to use an Italian cheese blend with parmesan cheese and mozzarella, but whatever cheese you have is fine.

Switch up the vegetables depending on the season!

• Add fresh greens like spinach or kale in the spring.
• If you have a summer garden, add a few fresh basil leaves and cherry tomatoes, or any fresh chopped tomatoes. Green or red bell peppers would also be yummy.
• Brussels sprouts could be a great addition when they’re in season during the fall through the winter months.
• Mushrooms and yellow onions are easy to find year-round and would also taste great in this dish. Even carrots or red peppers finely chopped would be tasty!

HOW TO MAKE VEGETARIAN PASTA DISHES TASTE LIKE PIZZA

Step 1. Cook the pasta al dente according to the directions on the box.

Step 2. While the pasta is cooking, warm the garlic and olive oil in a large sauté pan for 1-2 minutes, or until the garlic starts to turn light brown.

Step 3. Add in the zucchini, squash, and eggplant, stirring well to coat with the oil and garlic. Cover with a lid and cook for 4 minutes.

Step 4. Uncover, stir well, and cover again; cook for another 4 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.

Step 5. Add tomatoes, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning and cook uncovered for about 3 minutes.

Step 6. Drain pasta and add to the vegetables; combine well.

Step 7. Sprinkle cheese on top just before serving. And for the grown-ups add a little red pepper flakes for some zing!

Note: Although this recipe is lightly saucy as written, if you’d like a little extra tang, spoon over a little tomato sauce when you garnish with cheese. Try this recipe for the best Homemade Tomato Sauce!

Store any leftover veggie pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The pasta may dry out slightly in the refrigerator, so add a bit of additional tomato sauce or chicken broth when reheating if desired.

VEGETARIAN PASTA RECIPES VARIATIONS

You can eat vegetarian pasta dishes and still stick to your nutrition goals! Try one of these ideas:

• Need more protein?
  • Use a higher-protein pasta like Banza.
  • Add some higher-protein veggies, like mushrooms and peas.
  • Add meat. Yes, this is a vegetarian pasta dish, but you can add some cooked chicken or Italian sausage to help hit your protein goals.
• Watching your carbs?
  • Use a low-carb pasta (or even switch to a veggie pasta like zucchini noodles).
  • Double the veggies for a tasty, filling bowl with a smaller proportion of pasta.
  • Make sure to accurately track what you’re eating! A typical serving of pasta is 2 oz. (when measured dry).

PASTA DISHES FOR VEGETARIANS FAQS

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