Vegetarian Fusilli Pasta with Meat Sauce

Indulge in a hearty and satisfying twist on classic pasta night with this Vegetarian Fusilli Pasta with Meat Sauce. Featuring tender fusilli perfectly coated in a rich, savory tomato-based sauce made with plant-based ground meat, this recipe offers all the comforting flavors of a traditional meat sauce—without any meat. Sautéed aromatics like onion, garlic, carrot, and celery form a robust base, while dried herbs and a hint of red pepper flakes enhance the depth of flavor. Simmered to perfection, the sauce pairs beautifully with al dente pasta, and a garnish of fresh basil brings a burst of freshness. Ready in just 50 minutes, this vegetarian pasta recipe is perfect for a wholesome weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing entrée. Serve it with a sprinkle of Parmesan for the ultimate finishing touch, or keep it dairy-free for a vegan-friendly option.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 g Fusilli pasta
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
• 3 Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium Carrot, finely diced
• 1 Celery stalk, finely diced
• 300 g Plant-based ground meat
• 2 tbsp Tomato paste
• 400 g Canned crushed tomatoes
• 250 ml Vegetable broth
• 1 tsp Dried basil
• 1 tsp Dried oregano
• 0.5 tsp Red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 5 g Fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 50 g Parmesan cheese, grated (optional for serving)

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

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

Step 3

Add the minced garlic, diced carrot, and diced celery to the skillet. Sauté for another 5 minutes until the vegetables soften.

Step 4

Add the plant-based ground meat to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned.

Step 5

Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to combine with the other ingredients.

Step 6

Pour in the canned crushed tomatoes and vegetable broth. Stir well to combine.

Step 7

Season with dried basil, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer.

Step 8

Reduce heat to low and simmer the sauce for 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken.

Step 9

Once the sauce has thickened, add the cooked fusilli pasta to the skillet. Toss well to combine and heat through.

Step 10

Remove the skillet from heat, garnish with fresh basil leaves, and serve immediately. Optionally, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1742.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2851.9

Total Fat 99.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 31.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.4g
Cholesterol 40mg	0%
Sodium 5407.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 382.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 34.6g	0%
Total Sugars 41.3g
Protein 131.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1011.1mg	0%
Iron 23.3mg	0%
Potassium 4236.9mg	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: 30.4%

Protein: 17.9%

Carbs: 51.8%