Vegan Penne with Meat Sauce

Savor the ultimate comfort food with a plant-based twist in this Vegan Penne with Meat Sauce! This hearty and flavorful dish combines tender al dente penne coated in a rich, savory tomato sauce packed with vibrant vegetables, hearty mushrooms, and plant-based ground meat. Infused with aromatic garlic, onions, and Italian herbs, and optionally enhanced with a splash of red wine for depth, this recipe is a feast for both vegans and omnivores alike. Ready in just 45 minutes, it's perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep and can be garnished with nutritional yeast for a cheesy, dairy-free finish. Try this easy and satisfying vegan pasta recipe for a crowd-pleasing meal that doesn't sacrifice flavor!

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium, chopped yellow onion
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 1 medium, diced carrot
• 1 diced celery stalk
• 1 medium, diced red bell pepper
• 8 oz, chopped mushrooms
• 12 oz vegan ground meat substitute
• 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 0.25 cup red wine (optional)
• 0.25 cup, chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tbsp nutritional yeast (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

In a large skillet or saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic, diced carrot, diced celery, diced red bell pepper, and chopped mushrooms. Cook for another 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are tender.

Step 4

Add the vegan ground meat substitute to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook for about 3 minutes until browned.

Step 5

Pour in the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste, stirring to combine.

Step 6

Add the dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. If using, pour in the red wine for additional depth of flavor.

Step 7

Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Step 8

Stir in chopped fresh parsley and adjust seasoning if necessary.

Step 9

Serve the cooked penne topped with the vegan meat sauce. Garnish with nutritional yeast if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2189.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2753.6

Total Fat 87.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 22.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.4g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3988.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 377.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 49.9g	0%
Total Sugars 58.0g
Protein 131.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 521.1mg	0%
Iron 33.9mg	0%
Potassium 6663.8mg	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: 27.8%

Protein: 18.6%

Carbs: 53.5%