This coconut milk pasta sauce is super creamy, flavorful and savory! It is easy to make and only requires a few healthy ingredients. This pasta sauce is great for your favorite pasta, chicken, and spaghetti squash! This post is sponsored by Bona Furtuna, but all thoughts and options are my own.

Coconut milk pasta sauce in skillet

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • This coconut milk pasta sauce is incredibly creamy.
  • It has the texture and consistency of a Vodka sauce.
  • This “Vegan Vodka sauce” is packed with flavor.
  • The sauce is made completely in one skillet.
  • Use it in this Healthy Hamburger Helper!
  • This recipe is Whole30 friendly if served with spaghetti squash or hearts of palm.
  • In addition, this recipe is Paleo friendly, gluten free, dairy free, and Vegan.
Ingredients for tomato sauce

Ingredients & Substitutions

Any pasta works well! I love a gluten free rigatoni or penne. Even spaghetti squash or hearts of palm work for Whole30 and Paleo.

The olive oil is the perfect cooking fat to soften the onions and cook the garlic. If desired, avocado oil works well too.

The chopped onion adds a ton of flavor! Finely chop onion.

Minced garlic goes well with the pasta sauce. Freshly minced garlic is the best.

A teaspoon of red pepper flakes is just enough to add a little spice and heat! Omit for a much less spicy dish.

The pasta sauce adds a classic Italian flavor to this sauce. I used and loved Bona Furtuna marinara sauce with basil which has the best flavor. This brand is also Whole30 compliant and added sugar free.

Canned coconut milk is so thick and creamy! Shake or stir before use. Coconut milk naturally separates so it is important to stir before adding to the skillet. Canned coconut cream is probably too thick for this recipe.

What is Coconut Milk?

Coconut milk is coconut flesh blended with water to create a smooth and creamy milk like substance. This extra thick and creamy milk is entirely dairy free and Vegan.

Coconut milk is sold by the carton or in cans. Carton coconut milk is typically much thinner than canned. Canned coconut milk is much thicker than traditional milk. It has the consistency of cream.

For this recipe, use canned coconut milk. Shake well before using.

Canned coconut milk

This is what canned coconut milk looks like before stirring.

Taste & Texture

This Vegan pasta sauce has a creamy marinara sauce and tomato flavor. Since my pasta sauce contained basil, the basil taste is strong too.

The texture is creamy and smooth!

How to Make

Step 1

First, cook pasta according to package directions.

Step 2

Add olive oil, chopped onion, minced garlic and red pepper flakes to a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 3

Cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until onion has softened. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.

Chopped onions in pan

Step 4

Then, add in pasta sauce and coconut milk. Stir to combine.

Tomato sauce in skillet

Step 5

Simmer over medium heat until sauce has reached desired consistency. The longer it simmers, the thicker it will become.

Step 6

Lastly, drain pasta and stir in sauce. Serve!

Expert Tips & Tricks

Shake or stir coconut milk before using. It naturally separates in the can.

Finely chop onions. Cook onions until softened.

Continue simmering sauce until desired consistency has been reached. The longer it simmers, the thicker the sauce will become.

Coconut milk pasta sauce with rigatoni

How to Serve & Store

Serve coconut milk pasta sauce hot! It goes well with pasta, spaghetti squash, and chicken.

In addition, these Whole30 Turkey Meatballs are delicious with this sauce.

Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this sauce taste like coconut?

No, this sauce does not taste like coconut. It has a strong marinara flavor.

Can I use another milk?

Any other milk will yield runny sauce. Canned coconut milk adds so much creaminess and thickness.

Which herbs can I add to the sauce?

Basil and oregano are great herbs to add to the sauce.

Where do you buy gluten free rigatoni?

Gluten free rigatoni is sold on Amazon.

Pasta with coconut milk sauce

You May Also Like

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate a review! You can find me on InstagramFacebook, and Pinterest. I would love for you to follow along! 

Coconut milk pasta sauce in skillet

Get the Recipe: Coconut Milk Pasta Sauce (Vegan)

This super creamy coconut milk pasta sauce is packed with flavor! It instantly elevates any pasta dish. This Vegan pasta sauce is incredibly rich, flavorful, and super easy to make!
5 from 1 vote

Ingredients

  • 1 pound pasta of choice, I used gluten free rigatoni
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ cup chopped onion
  • 2 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 2 cups Bona Furtuna marinara sauce, or desired marinara sauce
  • 1 can coconut milk

Instructions 

  • First, cook pasta according to package directions.
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil, chopped onion, minced garlic and red pepper flakes.
  • Cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until onions have softened, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
  • Then, add in pasta sauce and coconut milk. Stir to combine.
  • Simmer on medium until sauce has thickened to desired consistency. Mine took about 5 minutes to thicken.
  • Finally, drain pasta and stir in sauce. Serve!

Notes

  • Use any pasta!  I used a gluten free Rigatoni.
  • Stir or shake canned coconut milk before use since it naturally separates.  It is usually sold in the Asian aisle at grocery stores.
  • The longer the sauce simmers, the thicker it will become.
  • The pasta sauce I used contains basil.  If yours does not, feel free to add in basil to the sauce.
  • Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Calories: 715kcal, Carbohydrates: 97g, Protein: 19g, Fat: 29g, Saturated Fat: 19g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Sodium: 671mg, Potassium: 924mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 679IU, Vitamin C: 12mg, Calcium: 70mg, Iron: 6mg

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