High-Protein Vegan ‘Marry Me Pasta’

You Had Me at Pasta: The Vegan Love Story Your Weeknights Need 💍🌱

Hey, my fellow flavor adventurers! Emily here, apron dusted with nutritional yeast and heart full of veggie love. Raise your wooden spoons if you’ve ever dreamed of a pasta dish so swoon-worthy, so creamy-delicious, it might just earn you a marriage proposal? (No? Just me?) Well, buckle up butter beans—today we’re making my High-Protein Vegan ‘Marry Me Pasta’ that’s taken our Tasty Chow community by storm! 💘

Picture this: al dente lentil pasta swimming in a smoky, velvety cashew cream sauce, studded with caramelized peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, and plump butter beans. It’s got that 26g protein per serving punch, tastes like a cozy Italian trattoria hug, and—here’s the kicker—it meal-preps like a dream. Inspired by my friend Maya’s engagement dinner (where this dish literally made her fiancé blurt “Will you marry me?!” again), it’s proof plants can bring the drama. No boring salads here, honey—just saucy, soulful magic that reheats even better by Thursday. Ready to make your taste buds say “I do”? Let’s chow!

When Pasta Sparked a Proposal (True Story!)

Okay, gather ’round my virtual kitchen island for the tale behind the name! Last spring, my college bestie Maya asked me to cook her anniversary dinner. “Make us something vegan that doesn’t feel like sacrifice,” she said. Challenge accepted! I riffed on that viral creamy pasta but gave it a protein-packed, plant-powered twist—lentil pasta! Cashew cream! Butter beans! When her partner took one bite, he slammed his fork down, eyes wide. Before I could panic, he grabbed Maya’s hand and rasped, “Marry me. Again. Right now.” Turns out, he’d been nervous about proposing that night but the pasta gave him a courage boost! 🥹 Now they call it their “engagement pasta,” and friends beg for the recipe at every potluck. Moral? Never underestimate the matchmaking power of a good sauce.

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Your Flavor Arsenal: Ingredients & Swaps

Pro Tip: Soak cashews while prepping veggies! Saves 10 golden minutes.

• 12 oz lentil pasta – Our protein hero! (Gluten-free? Use chickpea pasta. Swap: whole wheat pasta)
• ¼ cup raw cashews – Creaminess without dairy! (Allergy? ½ cup silken tofu blended with 1 tbsp cornstarch)
• ¼ cup nutritional yeast – Cheesy, umami magic. No swaps—trust me!
• 2 cups soy milk – Creamiest plant milk. (Swap: oat milk)
• 1 tsp olive oil – For sautéing rainbows! (Swap: veggie broth)
• 2 yellow onions – Slowly caramelized = flavor bombs. (Swap: shallots)
• 2 red bell peppers – Sweetness + color pop! (Swap: roasted jarred peppers)
• 2 oz sun-dried tomatoes – Tangy depth! (Oil-packed add extra richness)
• 3 garlic cloves – Because life’s too short for timid flavors.
• 1.5 tbsp tomato paste – Sauce’s savory backbone. (Chef secret: fry it in oil for 1 minute!)
• 1.5 tsp Cajun spice – Warmth without heat. (Swap: ¾ tsp chili flakes + ¾ tsp oregano)
• 2 tsp smoked paprika – That “is there bacon in this?!” illusion. 😉
• 1.5 cups cooked butter beans – Creamy protein pillows! (Swap: cannellini beans)
• 4 cups baby spinach – Wilted greens for balance. (Swap: kale)
• ¼ cup fresh parsley + 1.5 tbsp lemon juice – The bright “ta-da!” finish.

Let’s Build Some Delicious: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Cashew Quick-Soak 🌰
Cover cashews in boiling water. Set timer for 10 minutes! (Use this time to slice veggies. Multi-tasking queen behavior!)

Step 2: Creamy Dream Machine 🤖
Drain cashews. Blend with soy milk and nutritional yeast until silkier than a wedding gown. Tiny grit? Strain it! Set aside.

Step 3: Pasta Party 🍝
Cook lentil pasta 1 minute less than package says (it’ll finish in sauce!). Drain, drizzle with a tad of oil to prevent clumping.

Step 4: Sizzle & Sing 🎤
Heat oil in a deep skillet. Add onions, peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, and garlic. Sauté 8 minutes until onions are golden and peppers kissably soft. Chef’s whisper: Don’t rush this! Browning = flavor.

Step 5: Spice It Up 🔥
Push veggies aside. Add tomato paste, Cajun spice, and smoked paprika directly to hot pan. Stir 60 seconds until fragrant—this “blooms” spices!

Step 6: Unite the Kingdom 🤝
Add butter beans and cashew cream. Simmer 5 minutes until sauce hugs a spoon. Thickens fast? Splash pasta water! Too thin? Simmer 2 extra mins.

Step 7: Green Glory 🌿
Fold in spinach until wilted. Off heat, stir in parsley and lemon juice (brightens everything!).

Step 8: The Grand Toss 💃
Add pasta to sauce. Toss like you’re dancing in Naples! Season with salt + pepper. Taste—add more lemon if needed.

Plate It Pretty (Or Just Grab a Fork!)

For date nights, twirl pasta high into bowls. Top with extra parsley, cracked pepper, and toasted pine nuts for crunch. Meal prep? Portion into 4 glass containers. Reheat with 1 tsp water—stops sauce drying out! Serve with garlic bread to swipe up every last drop. 🥖❤️

Change Your Vows (Flavor Edition!)

1. “Tuscany Sun”: Swap Cajun for Italian herbs + add artichokes.
2. “Creamy Mushroom Lover”: Sauté 8 oz mushrooms with onions.
3. “Spicy Serenade”: Add 1 minced jalapeño + extra Cajun spice.
4. Nut-Free: Use sunflower seeds instead of cashews!
5. Extra Protein Boost: Stir in 1 cup crumbled tofu “feta” at the end.

Emily’s Notebook Scribbles ✍️

The first time I tested this, I accidentally used habanero powder instead of paprika. Let’s just say my cat ran away from the steam… and I had to chug oat milk! 😂 Now I keep spices labeled. Over time, I doubled the sun-dried tomatoes—their tang cuts the richness. Also: this tastes even better day two as flavors marry! Pro tip: freeze leftover sauce for quick pasta emergencies. P.S. If you make this for someone and get proposed to? Send pics. #TastyChowLoveStories

Your Questions, My Answers!

Q: Sauce split or grainy? Help!
A: Cashews didn’t blend smooth! Soak longer (up to 1 hour) or blend 2 full minutes. If split, whisk in 1 tbsp hot water vigorously.

Q: Can I use canned beans?
A: Yes! Rinse 1 (15 oz) can butter beans. But cooked-from-dry beans are creamier.

Q: How long does it keep?
A: 5 days fridge, 3 months freezer. Reheat gently—stir in water as needed.

Q: Too spicy for kids?
A: Skip Cajun spice! Use sweet paprika + ½ tsp garlic powder instead.

Nutrition Per Serving (1 of 4)

Calories: 420 | Protein: 26g | Carbs: 45g | Fat: 14g | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 8g
Note: Stats include lentil pasta. Using chickpea pasta? Protein jumps to 30g!

Final Thoughts: A Plant-Powered Pasta Worth Falling For 💚

Whether you’re in it for the weeknight ease, the dreamy creaminess, or the fact that it might just trigger a spontaneous proposal (hey, it happened once!), this High-Protein Vegan Marry Me Pasta brings the heat—figuratively and flavorfully. It’s proof that comfort food doesn’t need dairy, meat, or even a ton of effort to be completely unforgettable. With layers of smoky spice, velvety sauce, and hearty textures, this dish wears its heart on its bowl.

And just like a good love story, it gets better with time—meaning leftovers might just be the real MVP here. So light a candle, toss on your favorite kitchen playlist, and let this dish bring a little magic to your table. Because everyone deserves a pasta that makes them feel seen, nourished, and maybe even a little bit adored. 💕

Ready to turn your fork into Cupid’s arrow? Grab those cashews and let’s make dinner unforgettable.