Dairy-Free Baked Mostaccioli

Discover the ultimate comfort food with this Dairy-Free Baked Mostaccioli—an irresistible plant-based twist on a classic Italian-American favorite. Perfectly al dente mostaccioli pasta is tossed in a rich, savory tomato sauce infused with aromatic garlic, onions, and herbs, then layered with gooey dairy-free mozzarella and parmesan for a creamy, satisfying bite in every forkful. Whether you choose ground turkey or a meat alternative, this dish remains hearty and packed with flavor, thanks to a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for added depth. Baked to bubbly perfection and finished with fresh basil, this easy dairy-free pasta bake is the ideal weeknight dinner or crowd-pleasing potluck dish. Ready in just over an hour, it’s vegan-friendly, family-approved, and destined to be your go-to recipe for indulgent yet wholesome comfort food.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 16 oz mostaccioli pasta
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 lb ground turkey or meat alternative
• 28 oz crushed tomatoes
• 15 oz tomato sauce
• 6 oz tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.25 cup nutritional yeast
• 2 cups dairy-free mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cup dairy-free parmesan cheese, grated
• 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the mostaccioli and cook until al dente, about 7-9 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic and sauté until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 4

Add the ground turkey or meat alternative to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks, about 7-10 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Season with dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 6

Add nutritional yeast to the sauce and mix well to incorporate.

Step 7

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked mostaccioli with the sauce. If the skillet is large enough, you can mix it directly in the skillet.

Step 8

Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Layer half of the pasta mixture into the dish. Sprinkle with 1 cup of dairy-free mozzarella cheese.

Step 9

Add the remaining pasta mixture on top, then sprinkle with 1 cup of dairy-free mozzarella cheese and 0.5 cup of dairy-free parmesan cheese.

Step 10

Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Step 11

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 12

Remove from the oven, let it cool slightly, and garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2857.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3401.5

Total Fat 167.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 69.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 362.9mg	0%
Sodium 6998.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 273.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 35.1g	0%
Total Sugars 62.0g
Protein 182.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1947.9mg	0%
Iron 32.7mg	0%
Potassium 5509.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 45.2%

Protein: 21.9%

Carbs: 32.9%