Wild On The Veg

Can vegans eat pasta? Good question! Pasta is one of my absolute favourite meals so when I first went vegan, this was one of my first questions. The good news here is yes – vegans can eat pasta! Most pre-packaged pasta is vegan so panic over, us vegans are all good when it comes to pasta dishes. I thought I’d put together this article on veganism and pasta and dive into which types of pastas are vegan friendly. Keep reading to find out more!

Can vegans eat pasta?

As mentioned briefly above, vegans can definitely eat pasta. Pasta is a popular Italian food that is made from flour and water, although sometimes certain types of pasta contain egg as well. Not to fear though, many types of pasta are vegan friendly and there are lots of tasty vegan pasta dishes to enjoy. 

Traditional pasta is made from wheat, flour, and water, which means it is vegan by default. However, it is not uncommon to find some brands of pasta that contain eggs or milk, so it is always worth checking the label before you buy. 

For example, a lot of fresh pasta you’ll find in the fridge section of the supermarkets will contain milk and/or eggs so you should always check the ingredients before you add it to your basket.

Which pastas are vegan?

There are many vegan friendly pasta options available from a range of supermarkets. Let’s look at these in more detail:

• Spaghetti: An absolute classic, spaghetti makes for a super tasty meal and is most commonly served with a tomato based sauce or a concoction like bolognese. Many pasta brands make vegan spaghetti, including Barilla, Napolina, and Tesco’s own brand.
• Penne: This short, tube-shaped pasta is popular in many Italian dishes, such as pasta alla vodka or pasta bake. Again, many brands offer vegan penne, including Biona, De Cecco, and Sainsbury’s own brand. And the great news? Penne is super affordable too!
• Fusilli: This spiral-shaped pasta is often used in pasta salads or baked pasta dishes. Vegan-friendly fusilli is widely available, with brands such as Garofalo, La Bio Idea, and Morrisons offering suitable options.

How to tell if pasta is vegan friendly?

When it comes to identifying whether or not a pasta is vegan, there are a few things to look out for. First, check the ingredients list to see if any animal-derived ingredients are used, such as eggs, milk, or cheese. Many pasta brands will state clearly on their packaging if their pasta is vegan friendly, making it easier to identify.

Vegan friendly pasta dishes

In addition to traditional pasta dishes, there are also many delicious vegan pasta recipes to try. Here are a few examples of dishes I have made.

Creamy pasta

This is a super simple dish that consists purely of spaghetti, veg stock, salt, pepper, garlic, & double oat cream, topped with vegan friendly parmesan. Check out my other blog on whether or not parmesan is vegan friendly. 

Vegan spaghetti bolognese

Using vegan mince alternatives, you can make a tasty bowl of spaghetti bolognese. I always use a standard meat recipe and just switch out the meat & dairy products for vegan alternatives. 

Creamy tomato based pasta

Another simple dish. Similar to the white sauce creamy pasta above, this one is simply adapted to be tomato based. I stirred in a lot of vegan cheese and got a super creamy & cheesy pasta dish – yum!

Vegan friendly pasta

Vegans can certainly eat pasta, as there are many vegan friendly options available in supermarkets. While some pasta brands may use eggs or other animal-derived ingredients, it’s easy to identify vegan pasta by checking the ingredients and looking for the appropriate labels. There are also many delicious vegan pasta recipes to try as I’ve shown above, making it a versatile and satisfying meal option for those following a vegan diet.

Looking for meal inspiration? Check out my other blogs such as my vegan carrot, lentil & feta salad recipe. You can also find the perfect drink to accompany your vegan dish with my blog on what alcohol is vegan! 

Parmesan cheese is a popular type of hard, aged cheese that is often used in pasta dishes, salads, and as a topping for pizzas and other Italian dishes. Often, the best part of going out for a meal is getting the offer of a big pile of parmesan cheese on top of your pasta dish. However, despite its widespread use, Parmesan cheese is not considered vegetarian or vegan. As someone who was gutted to find out this when they went vegetarian, and then vegan, we’ll explore why this is the case and what alternatives are available for a vegetarian or vegan diet.

What is parmesan cheese?

So, let’s discuss what the beef is with parmesan cheese – no pun intended! 

Parmesan cheese is a type of hard, aged cheese that originates from Italy. It is made from cow’s milk and is known for its flavour and texture, as well as its iconic positioning on top of a big bowl of pasta – yum!

However, the production process for parmesan cheese is where it gets quite grizzly. The process involves adding rennet, which is an enzyme that facilitates coagulation, which assists in the separation of milk into firm curds. 

Traditionally, animal rennet has been used in the process of making parmesan cheese and this is obtained from the stomach lining of goats and calves.

Is parmesan cheese vegetarian?

The quick answer here is no. As the use of animal rennet (the stomach lining of calves) is used in the production of parmesan cheese, it is not vegetarian friendly. This fact isn’t widely known so you should be careful in restaurants when offered parmesan cheese with a vegetarian dish as it is unlikely that it is vegetarian friendly.

However, some manufacturers of Parmesan cheese use microbial or vegetable-based rennet instead of animal rennet. Microbial rennet is produced using microorganisms, while vegetable rennet is derived from plants. Parmesan cheese made with microbial or vegetable-based rennet may be considered vegetarian friendly, but it’s important to check the label to make sure that it is indeed suitable for vegetarians before taking the risk.

Is parmesan cheese vegan?

Parmesan cheese made with microbial or vegetable-based rennet may be vegetarian friendly but it is still not vegan. This is because parmesan cheese is made from milk, which is an animal product. 

What are the alternatives to parmesan cheese?

So, if you’re a fellow vegan like me and are wondering what the alternatives are to parmesan cheese, do not fear, I have a list of alternatives for you!

Nutritional yeast

Nutritional yeast is a deactivated form of yeast that is often used as a cheese substitute in vegan and vegetarian dishes. It has a nutty, cheesy flavour and a slightly granular texture, making it a good replacement for parmesan cheese. Nutritional yeast is also a good source of protein and vitamin B12.

Vegan parmesan style cheese

There are many vegan parmesan-style cheeses available that are made from plant-based ingredients. These cheeses are often made from a combination of nuts, seeds, and nutritional yeast, and they have a similar texture and flavour to parmesan cheese. 

Some popular vegan Parmesan-style cheeses include the Violife Parmesan & the Follow Your Heart Parmesan.

Lidl also does a fantastic version of parmesan which is vegan friendly. This actually happens to be my favourite parmesan alternative so I would definitely recommend this. The Vemondo vegan italian style grated cheese is so tasty and works so well on top of pasta.

I hope this blog helps answer some of your questions surrounding parmesan cheese and whether or not it is suitable for a vegetarian & vegan diet. Check out some of my other content, such as what alcohol is vegan and my vegan carrot, lentil & feta salad recipe.

As veganism has grown in popularity in recent years, it’s super important to know what’s in the products & drinks we consume. This includes alcoholic beverages, which may contain animal-derived ingredients. As a vegan, this is something that is really important to me so I thought I’d put together this little blog where we’ll explore which types of alcohol are vegan-friendly and how to identify non-vegan drinks in the UK.

What is veganism?

Firstly, let’s define what veganism is.

Veganism is a lifestyle that eliminates the use of animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose. This means that us vegans do not consume meat, fish, dairy, eggs, honey, or any other animal products. Instead of relying on animal sourced products, we opt for plant-based alternatives. And here, alcohol is no exception.

What alcohol can vegans drink?

When it comes to alcohol, some drinks are vegan-friendly, while others are not. Here are some examples of vegan and non-vegan alcohol:

Vegan alcohol

Beer

Many beers are vegan-friendly, as they are made with plant-based ingredients like hops, barley, and yeast. However, some beers do contain animal-derived ingredients, such as honey or isinglass (a fish bladder used for clarification). 

It’s always best to check the label or contact the manufacturer to confirm whether a beer is vegan-friendly.

Here is a simple list of some vegan friendly beers:

• Budweiser and Bud Light 
• Coors and Coors Light
• Heineken 
• Beck’s 
• Corona.

Wine

Most wines are vegan-friendly, as they are made with grapes and yeast. However, some winemakers use animal-derived fining agents, such as gelatin, egg whites, or casein (a milk protein), to clarify the wine. If you’re unsure whether a wine is vegan-friendly, you can check the label or contact the manufacturer.

Spirits

Many spirits are vegan-friendly, as they are made from grains, fruits, or vegetables. This includes vodka, gin, rum, and whiskey. However, some spirits may contain animal-derived ingredients, such as honey or milk, so it’s best to check the label or contact the manufacturer to confirm.

Non-Vegan Alcohol

Some alcoholic beverages are not vegan-friendly, as they contain ingredients derived from animals. Here are some examples:

Baileys Irish Cream

Baileys Irish Cream is not vegan-friendly as it contains cream. Although, Marks & Spencer did release an incredible vegan friendly dupe for Baileys which I absolutely would recommend! Unfortunately this was a seasonal christmas product but fingers crossed it’ll be back next year!

How to identify non-vegan alcohol

If you’re not sure whether an alcoholic beverage is vegan-friendly, there are several ways to find out:

Check the label

Many alcoholic beverages now label themselves as vegan-friendly, making it easy for us vegans  to identify which drinks are suitable for a vegan lifestyle.

Contact the manufacturer

If the label doesn’t provide enough information, you should contact the manufacturer to ask whether a drink is vegan-friendly. Most companies have information on their website and are happy to answer specific queries.

Use a vegan alcohol guide

There are several online resources that provide lists of vegan-friendly alcoholic beverages. These guides can be a helpful reference when you’re unsure of whether or not an alcohol drink is vegan. I’ve linked a helpful vegan beer guide which I have found useful in the past.

Being vegan doesn’t mean you have to give up alcohol altogether – I certainly haven’t! Many beers, wines, ciders, and spirits are vegan-friendly, but it’s important to be aware of non-vegan ingredients, such as honey or milk. 

If you’re unsure of whether or not a drink or brand is vegan, always take steps to find out rather than just risking it. A simple Google will help you to find out if that cheeky bottle of wine or bottle of beer is vegan friendly. By being mindful of the ingredients that make products & drinks vegan and not vegan friendly, it’s super easy to live a vegan-friendly lifestyle without sacrificing your favourites.

Check out my other articles, including a post on whether parmesan is vegetarian & vegan friendly.