Creamy Tomato Pasta With Vegan Coconut Milk Sauce (2024)

Published: by Emily · This post may contain affiliate links.

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5 from 24 votes

This simple coconut milk pasta sauce is affordable, healthy, quick to make, and so yummy with just a handful of ingredients. It seems overly simple, but the full fat coconut milk, plus the flavor-packed sundried tomatoes makes for a surprisingly tasty and flavorful dish.

Creamy Tomato Pasta With Vegan Coconut Milk Sauce (1)

I like almost any pasta dish, but I love finding areally goodvegan pasta sauce. Even thought I don't really like coconut flavor, this vegan coconut milk pasta sauce is SO good. Like, shockingly so. If you're looking for an easy and FAST busy weeknights pasta dish that the whole family will love, this is it! Made with simple pantry staples, thispasta recipeis as creamy as it is delicious, and it is one of my favorite pasta dishes!

The subtle sweetness of the sun dried tomatoes pairs so well with the sweetness inherent in the coconut milk. The creamy coconut milk pasta sauce is balanced perfectly by the garlic and saltiness!

Serve this creamy pasta with a side ofhomemade salty bread, or make it usingfresh vegan pastainstead of boxed!

Why you'll love this Pasta with Coconut milk

  • So easy -Just boil some pasta and quickly sauté the tomato sauce!
  • 4 Ingredients Dinner -Nothing more is required than pasta, coconut milk, garlic, sundried tomatoes, and some salt!
  • Dairy & Gluten-Free -Use your favorite GF pasta to make this recipe gluten AND dairy free! The coconut milk acts as a replacement for heavy cream, making this creamy sauce just decadent.

What you need for this recipe

Ingredients & Substitutions

Creamy Tomato Pasta With Vegan Coconut Milk Sauce (2)
  • Pasta-Use any pasta you want! To make this dish 100% gluten-free, use a GF pasta! I used regular linguine in this recipe, but penne pasta or spaghetti or any other pasta shape would be fine.
  • Sun Dried Tomatoes-Opt for the sun dried tomatoes that are packed in oil, as some of the oil is used for flavor.
  • Garlic -Fresh minced garlic is best, but jarred will suffice if necessary.
  • Coconut Milk-Be sure to use the canned, full-fat coconut milk. You will most likely find this in the Asian or international section of your grocery store. I don't recommend light coconut milk, as it won't thicken the sauce as well.

How to make pasta with coconut milk

Step 1: Prepare Ingredients

Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cooking your pasta according to box instructions. When done, drain and reserve about ⅓ cup of pasta water.

Scoop out ⅓ cup of the sun-dried tomatoes, drain the oil, but save it for later.

Roughly dice the sun-dried tomatoes.

Mince 2 or more cloves of garlic.

Step 2: Make the Sauce

In a pan over medium heat, heat up 1 tablespoon of the reserved tomato oil, or use olive oil or coconut oil.

To the oil, add the chopped tomatoes and sauté gently over medium-low heat.

As the tomatoes begin to cook, add the minced garlic and stir to combine. Cook until garlic is lightly golden, but not burned or crispy.

Creamy Tomato Pasta With Vegan Coconut Milk Sauce (3)

Add ½ of the can of coconut milk to the sauce and stir.

Bring this to a very gentle simmer, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 3: Finishing Touches

Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and combine thoroughly.

Stir in the reserved pasta water as needed to create a silky smooth sauce.

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Feel free to add garlic powder, red pepper flakes, onion powder, fresh basil leaves, or any other flavor additions at this point.

Serve hot and garnish with fresh herbs and more fresh cracked black pepper.

Creamy Tomato Pasta With Vegan Coconut Milk Sauce (4)

Expert Tips and Tricks

  • To make this recipe completely gluten-free, use a high quality gluten-free pasta! I love using Banza or Jovial or Cappellos!
  • Be sure to usecannedcoconut milk, which is usually found in the Asian or international section of a grocery store. Using the coconut milk that comes in a carton or bottle will not work for the coconut sauce.
  • Feel free to add or adjust seasonings as you please. I think that a heavy amount of salt really enhances this dish, but you could also add lots of pepper, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, and more! Some people like to add more veggies too, like spinach, bell peppers, white mushrooms, and more. My top tip for increasing flavor in any type of pasta recipe is toheavily salt the pasta water.I'm talking at least 2-3 tablespoons, if not MORE. If you watched how restaurants salt their pasta water, you would be shocked. It makes a huge difference!

Recipe FAQs

Can I use coconut cream instead?

Coconut cream will work just as well as coconut milk, however, it may yield a thicker sauce. Keep an eye on it and add a splash of water from the pasta if necessary.

Does this pasta have a strong coconut flavor?

Surprisingly, using coconut milk in savory recipes does not result in a strong coconut flavor! The coconut milk sort of fades into the background as an agent of creaminess rather than an additional flavor in this coconut pasta sauce. Be sure to season it well! I prefer a less strong coconut flavor, but you could always increase the flavor by adding in coconut flesh or flakes.

How can I store my leftovers?

Store this tomato pasta with coconut milk in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Always be sure to inspect leftover pasta for any imperfections before eating.

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📖 Recipe

Creamy Tomato Pasta With Vegan Coconut Milk Sauce (9)

Creamy Tomato Pasta with Coconut Milk

This easy weeknight pasta dish with coconut milk is so creamy and delicious! With just FOUR main ingredients, you can whip this up in less than 30 minutes!

5 from 24 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Italian

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 People

Calories: 529kcal

Author: Emily

Equipment

  • Large pan

  • Medium-sized pot

  • Can Opener

  • Sharp Knife

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces Linguine
  • cup Sundried tomatoes drained, diced
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon Reserved tomato oil OR olive oil
  • ½ 15 oz can Coconut Milk full-fat
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • cup Reserved pasta water as needed

Instructions

  • Begin by bringing salted water to a boil and cooking your pasta according to box instructions. When done, drain and reserve about ⅓ cup of pasta water.

  • Scoop out ⅓ cup of the sun-dried tomatoes, drain the oil, but save it for later.

  • Roughly dice the tomatoes.

  • Mince 2 or more cloves of garlic.

  • In a pan over medium heat, heat up 1 tablespoon of the reserved tomato oil, or use olive oil.

  • To the oil, add the chopped tomatoes and sauté lightly.

  • As the tomatoes begin to cook, add the minced garlic and stir to combine. Cook until garlic is lightly golden, but not burned or crispy.

  • Add ½ of the canned coconut milk to the sauce and stir.

  • Bring this to a very gentle simmer, stirring constantly to prevent burning.

  • Season with salt and pepper.

  • Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and combine thoroughly.

  • Stir in the reserved pasta water as needed to create a silky smooth sauce.

  • Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

  • Serve hot and garnish with fresh herbs!

Notes

  • To make this recipe completely gluten-free, use a high quality GF pasta! I love using Banza or Jovial pastas!
  • Be sure to use canned coconut milk, which is usually found in the Asian or international section of a grocery store. Using the coconut milk that comes in a carton or bottle will not work.
  • Feel free to add or adjust seasonings as you please. I think that a heavy amount of salt really enhances this dish, but you could also add lots of pepper, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, and more!

Nutrition

Calories: 529kcal | Carbohydrates: 88.8g | Protein: 15.3g | Fat: 12.9g | Saturated Fat: 5.8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2.5g | Sodium: 607.5mg | Potassium: 6.2mg | Fiber: 5.4g | Sugar: 6.3g | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 3.1mg | Iron: 20mg

Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @LegallyHealthyBlonde or tag #LegallyHealthyBlonde!

Creamy Tomato Pasta With Vegan Coconut Milk Sauce (2024)

FAQs

Can you use coconut milk instead of heavy cream in pasta? ›

4 Ingredients Dinner - Nothing more is required than pasta, coconut milk, garlic, sundried tomatoes, and some salt! Dairy & Gluten-Free - Use your favorite GF pasta to make this recipe gluten AND dairy free! The coconut milk acts as a replacement for heavy cream, making this creamy sauce just decadent.

Can I use milk instead of heavy cream for creamy pasta? ›

Whole milk is an excellent substitute for heavy cream. It adds richness to your pasta sauce without the excess fat. Simply simmer your favourite pasta sauce with whole milk until it thickens to your desired consistency. The result is a velvety and indulgent sauce that pairs beautifully with pasta.

What's the difference between coconut cream and coconut milk? ›

Coconut cream is a thicker coconut product, made from blended more coconut meat and less water than coconut milk. Coconut cream can be used as a substitute for coconut milk if it is diluted with additional water.

What is coconut paste used for? ›

The most popular way to use coconut paste is topping pancakes, omelettes, pancakes and pancakes. You can use it just like any other peanut butter. Take a spoonful of coconut paste, put it preferably on a warm cake. Then the paste will melt quickly and after a while a creamy, coconut topping will form.

What is the ratio of coconut milk to heavy cream? ›

The substitution ratio is a simple 1:1, reports Real Simple. This means that if a recipe calls for 1 cup of dairy milk, you'll use 1 cup of coconut milk instead. While this is as easy as it gets, there's an important caveat to using coconut milk that will affect how your baked good comes out.

What is the best vegan substitute for heavy cream in pasta? ›

Vegan Heavy Cream Substitutes
  • Coconut Cream or Coconut Milk. Use a 1:1 ratio to replace heavy cream. ...
  • Cashew Cream. 1 cup soaked raw cashews + 1 1/4 cup water. ...
  • Dairy Free Yogurt. ...
  • Silken Tofu + Plant Milk. ...
  • Vegan Cream Cheese. ...
  • Evaporated Coconut Milk. ...
  • Sweetened Condensed Oat Milk or Coconut Milk. ...
  • Plant Milk + Cornstarch.
Nov 29, 2022

What do vegans use for heavy cream? ›

Coconut cream is a versatile ingredient that makes an excellent vegan substitute for heavy cream. While it can be purchased pre-made, it's also simple to make at home using coconut milk. Simply chill a can of full-fat coconut milk in the fridge overnight, open it and pour the liquid contents into another container.

What is a substitute for 1 cup of heavy cream? ›

If you have butter and milk (whole milk or even half-and-half work best), you can make your own heavy cream substitute. To make 1 cup of heavy cream, melt 1/4 cup of butter and slowly whisk in 3/4 cup milk. This works for most baking or cooking recipes that require heavy cream, but it will not whisk into stiff peaks.

How can I thicken my pasta without heavy cream? ›

Use Cornstarch

Finally, Arturo says that you can make a cornstarch slurry, which is a mixture of cornstarch and water that should resemble the consistency of heavy cream. "Always make more than you need and use less than you think," he says.

Is coconut milk just watered down coconut cream? ›

Coconut cream is the same thing as coconut milk—coconut meat blended with water—but it contains less water. While coconut milk is thin like cow's milk, coconut cream is thick like whipped cream. You can find this fat-rich cream floating on the top of any canned coconut milk, or you can buy it in a dedicated can.

How do I substitute coconut milk for cream? ›

It's really as easy as shaking a can of full fat coconut milk, opening it up and substituting measure for measure with the heavy cream in any recipe.

Which is healthier coconut milk or cream? ›

Both coconut milk and cream have a rich coconut-like flavor and are similar in many ways. But compared to coconut milk, coconut cream is thicker and has higher amounts of calories and saturated fats. So, if you're concerned about your calorie intake, coconut milk would make a healthier choice for you.

What can I do with a can of coconut milk? ›

  1. 1Two-tier coconut milk layer cake. ...
  2. 2One-pot chicken massaman curry. ...
  3. 3Strawberry & coconut milk popsicles. ...
  4. 4Turmeric snapper with mint, cucumber and celery salad. ...
  5. 5Mango and coconut ice-cream. ...
  6. 6Javanese chicken and coconut curry (opor ayam) ...
  7. 7Easy pina colada trifle. ...
  8. 8Tofu, sweet potato and broccolini green curry.

What is the laxative in coconut? ›

The laxative effects of coconut water are due to its magnesium and potassium content. Magnesium and potassium are essential minerals that play a role in numerous vital reactions within your body, such as energy generation and muscle contraction.

When to add coconut milk? ›

Savory Recipes

One of the most popular uses for coconut milk is in soups and stews, where it adds a lovely creaminess and a subtle coconut flavor. The fattiness of coconut milk works particularly well with spices and acid, which is why it's often included in traditional Thai and Indian dishes.

Can you use coconut milk instead of cream? ›

Coconut milk and cream are mostly interchangeable in recipes such as curries and soups. If you prefer a richer flavour and texture, try coconut cream or vice versa. However, be careful when substituting coconut milk and cream in baked goods.

Is canned coconut milk better than heavy cream? ›

For those following a plant-based or dairy-free diet, coconut milk offers a creamy alternative to heavy cream. It is rich in healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals, providing a range of potential health benefits.

Does coconut milk thicken sauce? ›

Coconut milk or cream:

For a rich and creamy curry, coconut milk or cream can be a fantastic thickening agent. They not only add creaminess but also a delightful tropical flavour. Simply pour in some coconut milk or cream and let it simmer until your sauce reaches the desired consistency.

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