Creamy Paprika Pasta: A Quick and Delicious Vegetarian Recipe

Ready in just 20 minutes, this Creamy Paprika Pasta is a delightful vegetarian main course or side dish that’s sure to become a family favorite.

If you’re a pasta lover like me, you’re always on the lookout for new and exciting recipes. This Creamy Paprika Pasta is one that you’ll make again and again.

While my family enjoys meat, I’m always striving to incorporate more plant-based options into our meals. These meals need to be flavorful, hearty, and satisfying – meals where we don’t even miss the meat. This paprika pasta is one of those dishes!

This recipe is perfect because:

• It’s incredibly quick – ready in just 20 minutes.
• It requires only a handful of simple ingredients.
• The star of the show, sweet paprika, creates a unique flavor profile that’s enhanced by a silky, creamy sauce.
• It’s easily portioned for meal prepping.
• It freezes and reheats beautifully.

Ingredients for Creamy Paprika Pasta

You probably already have most of the ingredients you need in your pantry! Here’s what you’ll need:

• Wide Egg Noodles: These hearty noodles are excellent at soaking up the delicious sauce. Alternatives include pappardelle, tagliatelle, fusilli, rotini, or farfalle.
• Butter: I prefer unsalted butter. If you’re using salted, be sure to adjust the salt accordingly. For a dairy-free option, use your favorite dairy-free butter.
• Garlic: The cornerstone of any great pasta dish! This recipe calls for three cloves, but feel free to adjust to your preference.
• Dry White Wine: Always cook with wine you enjoy drinking! Ensure it’s a dry white wine; otherwise, the sweetness will drastically alter the flavor. I typically use a dry Pinot Grigio.
• Vegetable Broth: Use vegetable broth to keep this dish vegetarian. Chicken broth or stock can be substituted if you prefer.
• Coconut Cream: This ingredient creates a luxurious, creamy sauce. You can use canned coconut cream or refrigerate a can of full-fat coconut milk and skim the cream from the top.
• Ground Paprika: The star ingredient! I use sweet paprika for a milder flavor, but smoked paprika can be used for a deeper, smokier taste. For the best flavor, use fresh paprika.
• Kosher Salt and Ground Black Pepper: I use kosher salt in most of my cooking, especially pasta dishes. Freshly ground black pepper adds even more flavor.

See the recipe card at the end of this post for exact measurements and detailed instructions. These tips will help guide you through the process.

How to Make Creamy Paprika Pasta: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
2. While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. Add the minced garlic and sauté until softened, about 1-2 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
4. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk until incorporated into the liquids, about 2 minutes
5. Slowly pour in the white wine, stirring to combine. Then, slowly add the vegetable broth, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
6. Stir in the coconut cream until well combined and the sauce is smooth.
7. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and gently toss to coat it evenly with the sauce.
8. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
9. If desired, top with grated Parmesan cheese (or dairy-free Parmesan) and fresh chopped parsley.

For the complete recipe with measurements and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this page.

What to Serve with Creamy Paprika Pasta

This versatile pasta can be served as a main course or a side dish. Here are some suggestions:

As a Main Course:

If you’re enjoying this pasta as the main course, consider serving it with these delicious side dishes:

• Garlic Rosemary Roasted Carrots
• Mushroom Marsala
• Garlic Lemon Asparagus

As a Side Dish:

As a side dish, this paprika pasta complements a variety of main courses:

• Air Fryer Paprika Chicken
• Instant Pot Short Ribs
• Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken
• Garlic Rosemary Sirloin Tip Roast

Wine Pairings for Creamy Paprika Pasta

The paprika flavors in this pasta dish pair well with a fruit-forward red wine. Consider a Gamay or a young red blend.

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