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Vegan Pasta Bake

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3.9 from 14 reviews

This vegan pasta bake is a hearty, family-friendly weeknight dinner packed with protein from green lentils and loaded with flavorful vegetables and vegan cheeses. Made with pantry staples and easy to prepare, it’s perfect for meal prepping and enjoying throughout the week. Serve it alongside a fresh kale salad for a balanced meal.

Ingredients

Pasta and Lentils

  • 12 ounces pasta of choice
  • 1 cup uncooked green lentils

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 2 cups spinach

Sauces and Seasoning

  • 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce
  • 1 (15 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Oils and Cheese

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ cup vegan parmesan (prepared or store-bought)
  • 1 ½ cups shredded vegan mozzarella

Instructions

  1. Cook Lentils: Rinse and cook the green lentils following the package instructions until tender, then set them aside to cool slightly.
  2. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions, reducing the cooking time by 1-2 minutes to keep it slightly firm for baking. Drain and set aside.
  3. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the pasta dish later.
  4. Sauté Onions: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
  5. Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, being careful not to burn it.
  6. Create Sauce Mixture: To the pan, add the marinara sauce, crushed tomatoes, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, cooked lentils, and vegan parmesan. Stir to combine and let the sauce simmer gently for 5-10 minutes to meld the flavors.
  7. Combine Pasta and Spinach: Add the cooked pasta and fresh spinach into the sauce mixture. Stir well until the spinach wilts and everything is evenly incorporated.
  8. Assemble Bake: Pour half of the pasta mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle half of the shredded vegan mozzarella evenly over the top. Add the remaining pasta mixture, then finish with the rest of the mozzarella cheese.
  9. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the vegan cheese is melted and bubbly.
  10. Serve: Remove from oven, garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired, serve hot, and enjoy your wholesome vegan pasta bake!

Notes

  • Use a marinara sauce you really love; it adds depth and character to the dish.
  • Cooking the pasta slightly underdone ensures it doesn’t become mushy in the bake.
  • You can substitute spinach with kale or other leafy greens depending on preference.
  • For extra flavor, add fresh herbs like basil or oregano when assembling the bake.
  • This dish reheats well, making it excellent for meal prep throughout the week.

Find it online: https://bitezly.com/vegan-pasta-bake/