Make your own vegan pasta

More and more people in Germany are eating vegan. According to the Tagesschau, in September 2023, a full 3 percent of the population were vegan - some for ethical reasons, others for health or environmental reasons.

It's clear that we vegans don't want to do without such delicious and practical staple foods as pasta. And let me tell you one thing : we don't have to - regardless of whether some people want to tell you otherwise.

You can easily make vegan pasta at home. It doesn't contain any eggs and is therefore completely free of animal products. You can find out what you need, how it works and what you can do with your homemade pasta here.

What do you need for vegan pasta dough?

To make vegan pasta dough, you will need a few basic ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen at home - with one exception that you may need to purchase separately. Here is a list of the ingredients you need to easily make your own vegan pasta dough :

  • Flour : The classic wheat flour type 405 or 550 is ideal for pasta dough. For a gluten-free version you can also use special gluten-free flour.

  • Water : This binds the ingredients together. Make sure the water is cold to achieve the best consistency.

  • Olive oil : A few drops of olive oil will give the dough smoothness and prevent it from sticking.

  • Salt : A pinch of salt enhances the aromas and is essential for the taste of the dough.

Since a traditional pasta dough uses eggs to give the dough binding and elasticity, you need to find an alternative that does not contain animal products. A popular choice is to use flaxseed or chia seed flour mixed with water :

  • Flaxseed/chia seed flour : Mix one tablespoon of ground flaxseed or chia with three tablespoons of water and let the mixture swell for a few minutes until it takes on a gel-like consistency. This "jelly" is an excellent egg substitute .


Another possibility is to use tapioca starch, which also provides a good binding and makes the dough elastic :

  • Tapioca Starch : Use about two tablespoons of tapioca starch mixed with four tablespoons of water to mimic the consistency of an egg.


Some supermarkets now even offer vegan egg alternatives. If you can find one, all the better.

Do you have all the ingredients and are ready for some kitchen action? Then we'll tell you how to make your pasta dough as good as possible.

Step-by-step instructions for making vegan pasta

Making vegan pasta dough is no harder than making regular pasta dough - and with a few tricks, the pasta will end up tastier than pasta made with egg. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you make the perfect vegan pasta dough :

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1. Prepare and mix ingredients

Preparation is key when cooking. First of all, you should weigh all the ingredients and have them ready. For the dough you will need :

  • 400 grams of flour (type 405 or 550)
  • 200 ml cold water
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Optional: 2 tablespoons flaxseed or chia seed flour mixed with 6 tablespoons water (as an egg substitute)


Place the flour and salt in a large bowl and mix thoroughly. Make a well in the center of the flour and add the olive oil and egg substitute. Slowly begin adding the cold water while stirring with a fork or your hands to mix well.

2. Knead the dough and let it rest

As soon as the mixture starts to feel like dough, you can place it on your work surface. Knead the dough vigorously with your hands for about 10 minutes. It should then be smooth and elastic.

If you think the dough is too dry and cracks are forming, add a little water. If it is too wet, you can add more flour.

Form the dough into a ball, wrap it in cling film and let it rest at room temperature or in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. You should definitely not skip this step - even if you don't have much time.

The resting time allows the dough to evenly distribute the moisture inside and improve its elasticity. This is the only way to roll it out well in the next step.

3. Roll out the dough and form noodles

After the dough has rested for about half an hour, it should be easy to roll out. To do this, divide the dough into smaller portions and roll out each portion on a floured surface.

Depending on the thickness you want the pasta to be, you can use a traditional rolling pin or put your dough in a pasta machine - but make sure that no purist Italian chef is watching you. In any case, the dough should be evenly thin at the end so that the pasta doesn't stick together when cooking .

Once you have your thin dough sheets in front of you, you can cut the rolled out dough into the desired shape.

Vegane Nudeln formen

Be it for spaghetti, fettuccine or lasagne. Place the cut pasta on a floured baking tray and sprinkle it lightly with flour on top to prevent it from sticking.

4. Cook or store

You can cook the freshly made pasta straight away or save it for later. Can't resist? Then simply bring a large pot of salted water to the boil and add the pasta. It's ready when it rises to the surface and is al dente.

Variations of vegan pasta

Just like with normal pasta, you can experiment a lot with vegan pasta - there are hardly any limits. We'll give you some ideas to get you started.

Ordinary flour? That doesn't have to be the case. There are some alternatives that offer certain advantages :

  • Wheat flour type 00 : Ideal for traditional Italian pasta. If you use wheat flour type 00 for your vegan pasta, the dough will be silky smooth. It absorbs water better and sticks excellently.

  • Whole wheat flour : A healthy alternative that gives your dough a delicious nutty note and additional fiber.

  • Buckwheat flour : Perfect as a gluten-free option for people with food intolerance or grain allergies . Gives your dough a strong, slightly bitter note.

  • Chickpea Flour : Offers a high protein content and an interesting, nutty flavor component. Ideal if you want to create a strong-tasting sauce but still want to taste something from your pasta.

And for that certain something :

  • Herbs : Fresh or dried herbs such as basil, thyme or rosemary can be incorporated directly into the dough to give it a whole new flavor.

  • Spices : A pinch of turmeric or paprika can not only add color to your noodles, but also a subtle flavor.

  • Spinach powder or tomato powder : They not only give your pasta a beautiful natural color, but also an additional flavor. Goes particularly well with simple, olive oil-based sauces.

4 recipe ideas for vegan pasta

With vegan pasta dough, there are no limits to your creativity in the kitchen. Whether you are looking for a quick vegan pasta dish or want to impress your guests with a special pasta experience - here are a few simple and creative recipe ideas :

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Vegan spaghetti with oil and tomato

For this classic Italian dish you only need a few ingredients : your homemade vegan pasta dough in spaghetti form, good olive oil, salt, fresh garlic, chili flakes and chopped parsley.

Simply cook the spaghetti, toss the olive oil, chopped garlic and chili flakes in a pan over low heat, add a little salt, add the pasta and garnish with fresh parsley.

Vegan ravioli with pumpkin filling

Prepare vegan pasta dough and roll it out thinly. For the filling, puree previously cooked pumpkin with spices such as sage, nutmeg and black pepper.

Place small mounds of the filling on one strip of dough, place a second strip on top and press the edges together firmly. Cook the ravioli in salted water and serve with vegan butter and more sage.

Fettuccine with creamy avocado sauce

Mix a sauce with ripe avocados, garlic, lemon juice and fresh basil. It should have as creamy a consistency as possible.

Then simply mix your freshly cooked pasta with the sauce and garnish with toasted pine nuts and a little black pepper. To make the sauce even creamier, you can add a dash of milk substitute.

Lasagne with spinach and vegan ricotta

Cut your pasta dough so that it is shaped like lasagne sheets. Layer the sheets with a mixture of chopped spinach, vegan ricotta and a tomato sauce. You can also use a minced meat substitute . Bake everything in the oven until the surface is nice and golden brown and crispy.

Vegan pasta – incredibly diverse and delicious

Vegan pasta is just as easy to make as regular pasta - and can be used just as variably and creatively. With ingredients that you probably already have at home, you can conjure up a delicious and filling base ingredient in no time at all and use it in recipes that will make your mouth and that of your guests water.

At Greenforce you will find many other recipe ideas, for example for :

  • Make your own vegan butter
  • vegan mac and cheese,
  • make vegan cheese yourself or
  • vegan ready meals .
Veganes Mac and Cheese