Vegetarian Bowtie Pasta with Meat Sauce

Savor the comforting flavors of this hearty Vegetarian Bowtie Pasta with Meat Sauce, a perfect fusion of rich, plant-based ingredients and Italian-inspired seasonings. Featuring tender bowtie pasta tossed in a robust tomato sauce made with plant-based ground "meat," aromatic garlic, and a medley of diced vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions, this recipe delivers all the satisfaction of a classic meat sauce—without the meat! Enhanced with fragrant dried herbs like basil and oregano, a touch of red pepper flakes for warmth, and a garnish of fresh parsley, this dish is sure to become a family favorite. Ready in just 50 minutes, this vegetarian pasta is ideal for weeknight dinners, offering delicious comfort with minimal effort. Optional Parmesan elevates the dish for cheese lovers, making it as versatile as it is flavorful.

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 ounces bowtie pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 medium carrot, diced
• 1 medium celery stalk, diced
• 3 units garlic cloves, minced
• 12 ounces plant-based ground 'meat'
• 28 ounces diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 unit bay leaf
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese (optional)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water, and set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrot, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional minute, until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the plant-based ground 'meat' to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the diced tomatoes (with juices), tomato paste, dried basil, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust the consistency with reserved pasta water if the sauce becomes too thick.

Step 7

Remove the bay leaf and discard it.

Step 8

Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce until well combined. Serve hot, topped with Parmesan cheese, if using, and garnish with chopped fresh parsley.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1911.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2715.8

Total Fat 106.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 32.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 53.4mg	0%
Sodium 4281.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 341.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 41.4g	0%
Total Sugars 45.8g
Protein 132.4g	0%

Vitamin D 12.8IU	0%
Calcium 1255.4mg	0%
Iron 32.0mg	0%
Potassium 3585.2mg	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: 33.5%

Protein: 18.6%

Carbs: 47.9%