Description
A flavorful baked pasta dish featuring a rich tomato sauce with spinach and nutritional yeast for a cheesy umami flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz pasta (rigatoni or penne, preferably gluten-free)
- 1 can crushed tomatoes (use good quality for bright flavor)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup spinach (chopped fresh or frozen, thawed)
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast (adds cheesy umami flavor)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup plant-based milk (unsweetened almond or oat milk)
- to taste salt and pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional for depth)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F) and lightly grease your deep baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the pasta and cook until just al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat, then add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 2-3 minutes until fragrant and slightly golden.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to the garlic. Let it simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and releases a rich aroma.
- Stir in the chopped spinach and nutritional yeast into the sauce, cooking for another 2 minutes until the greens wilt and everything is well combined.
- Pour the cooked pasta into the saucepan and mix thoroughly, ensuring each piece is coated with the vibrant tomato sauce.
- Transfer the pasta mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the plant-based milk with a teaspoon of cornstarch or flour to create a slurry, then pour it evenly over the pasta—this adds creaminess.
- Sprinkle vegan cheese or extra nutritional yeast over the top for a cheesy, golden crust after baking.
- Bake uncovered in the oven for 20-25 minutes until bubbling and the top is golden brown and slightly crispy.
- Remove from the oven, let it rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with chopped fresh herbs like basil or parsley before serving to add a bright touch.
Notes
- For additional creaminess, consider adding more plant-based milk to the sauce.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms as desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 0mg