Vegan Cheesy Baked Penne

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Vegan Cheesy Baked Penne, a plant-based twist on a classic Italian favorite that’s hearty, creamy, and irresistibly cheesy! This recipe combines tender penne pasta with a rich tomato sauce infused with garlic, onions, and fragrant herbs like oregano and basil. The magic happens with a velvety, dairy-free “cheese” sauce made from almond milk, nutritional yeast, and a hint of turmeric for that golden hue, giving it all the cheesy flavor without the cheese. Layered with fresh baby spinach and topped with melty vegan mozzarella and optional vegan parmesan, this baked pasta dish is oven-baked to perfection for a bubbling, golden-brown finish. Perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy gatherings, this easy, 100% vegan recipe is ready in under an hour and will leave everyone at the table asking for seconds. Vegan, cheesy, and baked to perfection—this is comfort food redefined!

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 300 grams penne pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 400 grams canned diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 cup nutritional yeast
• 500 milliliters unsweetened almond milk
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 100 grams baby spinach
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup vegan mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 0.5 cup vegan parmesan cheese, grated (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil. Sauté the chopped onion until translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic and sauté for another 2 minutes, until fragrant.

Step 5

Stir in the canned diced tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Let simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Step 6

In a separate medium saucepan, combine the almond milk, nutritional yeast, cornstarch, and turmeric. Cook over medium heat, whisking continuously until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 7

Remove the sauce from heat and stir in the lemon juice.

Step 8

Combine the cooked penne, tomato mixture, and spinach in a large bowl. Pour the creamy cheesy sauce over the pasta mixture and stir until well coated.

Step 9

Transfer the mixture into a baking dish. Sprinkle the top with shredded vegan mozzarella cheese and grated vegan parmesan cheese if using.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and the top is golden brown.

Step 11

Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your Vegan Cheesy Baked Penne!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1790.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2625.8

Total Fat 112.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 39.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 7.5g
Cholesterol 8mg	0%
Sodium 5221.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 335.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 29.1g	0%
Total Sugars 20.8g
Protein 87.5g	0%

Vitamin D 185.6IU	0%
Calcium 2022.2mg	0%
Iron 26.0mg	0%
Potassium 2642.9mg	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: 37.4%

Protein: 12.9%

Carbs: 49.7%