Vegan Baked Ziti with Meatballs

Indulge in the comforting warmth of Vegan Baked Ziti with Meatballs, a plant-based twist on a classic Italian-American favorite. This recipe layers tender ziti pasta, hearty vegan meatballs simmered in a savory marinara sauce, and a luscious, homemade cashew cheese sauce for the ultimate dairy-free indulgence. Infused with aromatic garlic, onion, and Italian seasoning, each bite delivers a medley of robust flavors and creamy textures. Perfectly baked to golden, bubbly perfection, this dish is topped with fresh basil for a vibrant, herbaceous finish. With just 20 minutes of prep time and easy-to-find vegan ingredients, this hearty vegan casserole is ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or cozy nights in. Whether you're craving comfort food or hosting a plant-based gathering, this recipe proves that vegan baked ziti can be both wholesome and irresistibly satisfying.

Nutriscore Rating: 84/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 ounces ziti pasta
• 20 pieces vegan meatballs
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 pieces garlic cloves, minced
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3 cups marinara sauce
• 1.5 cups cashews, soaked for 2 hours and drained
• 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 cup plant-based milk
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 0.5 cup fresh basil, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

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

Step 4

Stir in the marinara sauce and bring to a simmer. Add the vegan meatballs, cover, and let them cook through in the sauce for about 10 minutes.

Step 5

While the meatballs are cooking, prepare the cashew cheese sauce by blending the soaked cashews, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and plant-based milk in a high-speed blender until smooth. Season with salt to taste.

Step 6

Combine the cooked ziti and vegan meatballs in the skillet with the marinara sauce and gently mix to ensure the pasta is evenly coated.

Step 7

Spread half of the ziti mixture in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Pour half of the cashew cheese sauce over the pasta and sprinkle with Italian seasoning.

Step 8

Top with the remaining ziti mixture and pour the rest of the cashew cheese sauce over it.

Step 9

Sprinkle ground black pepper on top and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, until the top is slightly golden and bubbling.

Step 10

Remove from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2396.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4214.1

Total Fat 198.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 30.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 5957.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 434.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 67.0g	0%
Total Sugars 60.3g
Protein 190.3g	0%

Vitamin D 100.0IU	0%
Calcium 1390.5mg	0%
Iron 49.0mg	0%
Potassium 3943.0mg	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: 41.7%

Protein: 17.8%

Carbs: 40.6%