I’m looking for a good pasta recipe! Also, is parmesan actually vegetarian? I noticed lots of pasta recipes call for it, but I heard some cheeses aren’t vegetarian-friendly. I found one labeled vegetarian, but it was pricey. Anyone got thoughts?
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio is a great vegetarian pasta! It’s a simple dish with spaghetti, garlic, chili flakes, parsley, and olive oil.
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio | Recipe
No need for processed ingredients like ‘vegan meat’; it’s all-natural. Some plant-based products have additives like TBHQ and artificial colors, so this recipe skips all that.
Nothing against those who like these products, but just spreading some info!
@Jai
Yes! One of my favorites too!
Real parmesan isn’t vegetarian since it uses animal rennet. Some cheeses labeled ‘parmesan’ use vegetarian rennet, but it’s rare.
This is my favorite pasta recipe! Link. It’s fancy but easy to make. Vegetarian parmesan does exist; you just need to check labels.
I make a veggie bolognese that even my meat-loving partner enjoys! Use a regular bolognese recipe, but swap the beef for cooked lentils. Some parmesan brands use vegetable rennet, so check the labels. In bigger cities, vegetarian options are more common, but you can always try online stores.
Parmesan usually isn’t vegetarian. I love a simple pasta with roasted butternut squash, sundried tomatoes, fried garlic, black pepper, fresh parsley, and pine nuts. I just use olive oil and pasta water for the sauce.
@Blane
Some versions use vegetable rennet instead.
Fife said:
@Blane
Some versions use vegetable rennet instead.
From what I know, only non-vegetarian ones are officially ‘parmesan,’ at least in Europe. There are vegetarian hard cheeses, though! I use a cashew-based topping instead.
@Blane
Yeah, the US rules are less strict about labeling.
Fife said:
@Blane
Yeah, the US rules are less strict about labeling.
Rennet-free parmesan can be hard to find here. Labels just say ‘enzymes,’ which often means rennet unless it’s marked vegetarian.
@Blane
I found a vegetarian parmesan brand called Mauro & Gianni at Sprouts. Maybe other stores have it too.
Niall said:
@Blane
I found a vegetarian parmesan brand called Mauro & Gianni at Sprouts. Maybe other stores have it too.
I’ve seen Mauro and BelGioioso at my local market. It might depend on your area.
@Fife
Sprouts and King Soopers usually have it where I am!
If you’re in the US, many grocery store parmesans are vegetarian since animal rennet costs more. Parmesan Reggiano, though, will have animal rennet, so look for brands like BelGioioso or Organic Valley.
@Darwin
Double-check the packaging! ‘Enzymes’ often means rennet. BelGioioso is rennet-free, but not all brands are.
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I bought shredded Whole Foods 365 brand parmesan last week, and it’s vegetarian. My go-to pasta sauce is this tomato-onion-butter recipe. It’s super tasty and works on anything from pasta to lasagna (I skip the ricotta and just go with mozzarella and parmesan).
Sartori makes a vegetarian parmesan that’s close to the real deal. Follow Your Heart also makes a vegan parmesan alternative.