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The Best Creamy Vegan Chicken Rigatoni Recipe

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If you love creamy pasta dishes but want a high protein, plant-based version, this creamy vegan chicken rigatoni recipe is for you! Made with plant-based “chicken”, a rich tomato cream sauce, and perfectly al dente rigatoni, this dish is just as comforting as the classic version- without the meat or dairy. Plus, it’s easy to make, comes together in about 30 minutes, and has 36 grams of plant-based protein per serving.

What vegan protein to use for the vegan “chicken”

One of my favorite protein sources for this dish is the Say Grace Nuggets. I love this vegan protein option because it’s made with just one ingredient: soy protein, and has incredible macros. It digests really well and is super versatile to cook with. These nuggets turn out perfectly crispy in this recipe, which tastes amazing with this rigatoni with vegan tomato cream sauce. Whether you’re looking to boost your protein intake or just want a high-quality plant-based alternative, Say Grace is a must-try! Use discount code MYPLANTBASEDFRIEND for 10% off your Say Grace orders.

Why you’ll love this creamy vegan chicken rigatoni recipe

  • High in plant-based protein (thanks to the vegan chick’n)
  • Creamy and comforting sauce- just like your favorite traditional recipe, but dairy-free
  • Easy and quick to make, ready in about 30 minutes
  • Perfect for meal prep, this dish reheats beautifully
  • The macros per serving, using the ingredients shown, are:
    • 36 grams protein
    • 78 grams carbs
    • 20 grams fat

Ingredients:

  • Rigatoni pasta: Any pasta works, but rigatoni holds the sauce well! I used a regular pasta, but if you want to up the protein content even more, you can use a high protein rigatoni.
  • Plant-based chicken: Use your favorite vegan chick’n brand (I recommend the Say Grace nuggets).
  • Better than Bouillon: perfect for marinating and adding flavor to your vegan chicken nuggets. I recommend the No Chicken Base or the Vegetable Base.
  • Breadcrumbs, corn starch, Italian herbs, nutritional yeast, salt: For the perfect crispy and flavorful breading to coat the chick’n.
  • Garlic, shallot, olive oil: For amazing flavor.
  • Cherry tomatoes, tomato paste, marinara sauce + soy milk: Makes the perfect creamy and rich tomato sauce.
  • Nutritional yeast, vegan parmesan, fresh basil: Adds richness and elevates the flavor.

How to make this vegan chicken rigatoni recipe

  1. Cook and bread your vegan chicken nuggets.
  2. Cook your rigatoni until al dente, then drain.
  3. Sauté the aromatics- add chopped garlic and shallot to olive oil in a pan on low heat.
  4. Make the creamy sauce- combine cherry tomatoes, tomato paste, marinara sauce, nutritional yeast, vegan parmesan, seasonings, and soy milk.
  5. Combine & serve- divide your saucy rigatoni into two plates, top with the vegan chicken, more vegan parmesan, and fresh chiffonade basil. Enjoy!

Craving more delicious savory vegan recipes? You would enjoy my high protein vegan buffalo chicken mac and cheese, my taco meat made with walnuts, or my crispy buffalo cauliflower wings.

plated creamy vegan chicken rigatoni

Vegan Chicken Rigatoni

Melissa Donovan
This creamy vegan chicken rigatoni is the perfect comfort food made healthy! Made with plant-based chicken and a rich tomato cream sauce, it's easy to make and absolutely delicious.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Servings 2

Ingredients
  

Vegan Chicken

  • 2 oz. Say Grace nuggets code MYPLANTBASEDFRIEND for 10% off.
  • 1 Tbsp Better than Bouillon

Vegan Chicken Breading (dry mix)

  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 Tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 1 tsp Italian herbs
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Vegan Chicken Breading (wet mix)

  • 1/4 cup soy milk
  • 1 Tbsp corn starch

Creamy Rigatoni

  • 2 servings rigatoni or your favorite pasta
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 shallot finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
  • 2 Tbsp tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup marinara sauce
  • 1 Tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 1/4 cup vegan parmesan I used Follow Your Heart
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • black pepper and italian herbs to taste
  • 3/4 cup soy milk

Toppings

  • 1/4 cup vegan parmesan
  • 1/4 cup basil chiffonade

Instructions
 

Make Vegan Chicken

  • Add 1 Tbsp Better than Bouillon to a medium-size pot of water and boil.
  • Add 2 servings (2 oz. dry) of Say Grace Nuggets to pot and cook for 10 minutes.
  • Strain cooked nuggets, run under cold water, and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs, nutritional yeast, italian herbs, and salt to create dry breading mixture. In another small bowl, mix soy milk and corn starch. Dip nuggets into wet mixture, then dip in dry mixture until coated well, and add to airfryer. Air fry coated nuggets at 375 for 10-12 minutes.

Cook Pasta

  • Boil a pot of water, and add in 2 servings of rigatoni. Cook for 13 minutes until al dente.

Make Creamy Tomato Sauce

  • Add 1 Tbsp olive oil to a pan on low heat. Add in finely chopped garlic and shallot, and cook until slightly browned. Then, add cherry tomatoes and cover with lid until the tomatoes are cooked down. Use a spoon to crush tomatoes as needed.
  • Remove lid and add tomato paste, marinara sauce, nutritional yeast, vegan parmesan, crushed red pepper flakes, black pepper, and Italian herbs. Mix together until the vegan cheese is melted.
  • Add soy milk and mix until well combined.

Plating

  • Add your cooked rigatoni to the pan, and mix together until the pasta is well coated in sauce.
  • Divide pasta and sauce into two bowls or plates. Top with your vegan chicken, more vegan parmesan, and chiffonade basil. Enjoy!
    plated creamy vegan chicken rigatoni
Keyword dinner, vegan

Don’t forget to save 10% on all of your Say Grace plant protein orders with discount code: MYPLANTBASEDFRIEND.

For more easy, high protein vegan recipes, follow me on Instagram @myplantbasedfriend.

Filed Under: Main Dishes, Recipes Tagged With: high protein, pasta

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By Melissa Donovan

I love creating tasty, balanced, and healthy vegan recipes for people of all diets. Whether you’re looking for high protein, macro friendly vegan recipes or positive encouragement in adopting a more plant-based lifestyle, you’re in the right place!

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Melissa | Vegan Bodybuilder, Food Blogger, & Coach

myplantbasedfriend

High protein snacks that are convenient and actual High protein snacks that are convenient and actually taste good!? 😍

Balancing a busy schedule, workouts, traveling, and maintaining my energy levels as a vegan has taught me the importance of having healthy, portable, and protein-rich snacks on hand.

That’s why I’ve put together this list of my favorite vegan high protein and macro friendly snacks– both sweet and savory- to satisfy all cravings 😋 like:

@aggropops lentil puffs
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Finding the right snacks doesn’t have to be a challenge!

Comment “SNACK” and I’ll send you the full list 🥰🌱
Easy High Protein Vegan Chorizo 🔥 Textured Pe Easy High Protein Vegan Chorizo 🔥 

Textured Pea Protein (TPP) is one of my favorite plant-based sources of protein. It has amazing macros, digests well for me, is super quick and easy to prepare, and versatile for your fav recipes 🙌🏼

For one serving of this chorizo, I use:

- 35g @purisfoods TPP
- 2 tsp taco seasoning (I use @mccormickspice, no added preservatives)
- 30g @mateos_salsa mild taco sauce
- Chipotle @tabasco for some added spice

Macros per serving (just the TPP chorizo):
28P/ 6C/ 2F

Easy, delicious, and healthy 😋

You can multiply this chorizo recipe for meal prep, so it’s ready to go for delicious tacos, burritos, bowls, or however else you’d like to enjoy it throughout the week 🌮🌯 

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Easy Vegan & Gluten-Free Funfetti Mug Cake with 34 Easy Vegan & Gluten-Free Funfetti Mug Cake with 34g Protein 🧁🌱😍

This recipe comes together in under 5 minutes- great for a post-workout meal, a late-night sweet treat, or a single-serving healthy dessert 😋 heck, I’ve been eating it for breakfast 👀 

It’s made with a few simple, wholesome ingredients, tastes amazing, and has the perfect consistency 🤤

Macros: 34P/ 56C/ 11F

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Today marks 9 years vegan 🌱 …and my heart i Today marks 9 years vegan 🌱 

…and my heart is so full ❤️

I never could’ve imagined that this path would teach me so much about compassion, alignment, and trusting myself.

What started as a quiet curiosity turned into a life of deeper connection- to my values, my body, the Earth, and others.

I’m so grateful for every soul who’s been part of this journey: my vegan and vegetarian friends who inspire me, my non-veggie friends who’ve shown love and support, and everyone who chooses to lead with an open heart and mind. 🤍

After 9 years, I’m finally opening up to share more of my story. If it resonates with you, lifts you up, or helps you feel less alone, that means everything to me.

I’m opening a few spots for 1:1 coaching. I combine my training in subconscious and somatic healing with my knowledge as a longtime vegan to support you in feeling grounded in your body, aligned with your values, and at peace with your choices.

DM me to schedule a consult call. I’d love to walk this path with you. 🥰
Over 50 grams of protein for a bowl of cereal? 🥣 🤯 

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53P/ 18C/ 10F 👏 

🍫 1oz @saygraceprotein Chocolate Pro Bites (code MYPLANTBASEDFRIEND for 10% off)
💛 25g @smartforlife edamame puffs
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🥛1 cup soymilk

Can’t get much simpler than that! 🙌🏼

If you liked cocoa puffs or rice crispies, these macro friendly alternatives with better ingredients will blow your mind!

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The most DELICIOUS high protein desserts 😎💪🏼🌱 

I can’t get enough of the @greenbitesgo cookie bars, cinnamon rolls, brownies, and cookie sandwiches 🤤 

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High protein vegan buffalo chick’n mac and cheez High protein vegan buffalo chick’n mac and cheeze 😍🌱 

My favorite food growing up was mac and cheese. When I went vegan in 2016, that never changed 😁

With 41 grams of plant based protein per serving, you can nourish your nutrition goals AND your craving for a delicious comfort food 💪🏼🥘 

This meal is super quick to make, coming together in under 20 minutes, requires easy and wholesome ingredients (no store-bought vegan cheese shreds necessary), and is absolutely delicious! 🤤 

I use the @saygraceprotein tenders for the Buffalo chick’n because of the great macros and texture. 🏷️ Use code MYPLANTBASEDFRIEND to save 10% on your orders.

Comment “MAC” and I’ll send you the full recipe! 🫶🏼

#highproteinvegan #healthyveganmeals #healthyveganrecipe #plantbasedprotein #veganfoodies #veganmealideas
Date night idea + relationship reflections ❤️⬇️ 

@moonmanveganfitness and I had a blast with this 😂

Meal deets:

App (my pick): @eatluckyfoods Veggie Spring Rolls 🌯 

Entree (Justin’s pick): @momofukugoods tingly chili wavy noodles + @beyondmeat popcorn chick’n 🍜 

Dessert (my pick): @so_delicious Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Sandwiches 🍓

Beverage (Justin’s pick): @santacruzorganic Mango Lemonade 🍋

If you don’t know our story, Justin and I met here on IG through the #veganbodybuilder hashtag 💪🏼🌱 

We’re in a long distance relationship ✈️ I live in Tampa, FL and Justin lives in Vancouver Island, Canada.

We starting dating 7 months ago today via FaceTime. 10 days later, Justin called me to tell me he was booking a flight that evening to come see me 🥹

We spent two weeks together, solidifying the incredible connection we were building 🥰 + I got to show Justin the Tampa vegan food scene 🍕🍩🍔🌮🍦

After a month apart, I got to spend 3 weeks in BC with Justin. He took me on many gorgeous hikes, and I had the best time meeting his amazing family + seeing the Island 🏔️

After another month apart, Justin spent 3 months in FL with me! We got to celebrate my birthday + our first Christmas together 🤍

We got lots of quality time with some of our best friends, the OG Vegan Squad @thebodybuildingvegan @consciouslivingwithali @yourveganmentor1 ❤️

Calling in not only this beautifully healing, conscious relationship, but also these incredibly aligned and uplifting friendships, didn’t happen by accident.

This has been a very clear intention of mine for a very long time. I feel so in awe to experience the unfolding of this manifestation 🥹

A LDR is by no means easy, especially living SO DANG FAR apart, in separate countries, at a time with a lot of uncertainty in the world, not always knowing when we’ll see each other next.

But this journey has been teaching me to stay present + trust that everything is happening for our highest good, regardless of the outcome.

Knowing Justin and I are together because we both choose every day to be is so meaningful to me. I’m forever grateful ❤️
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