Vegetarian Pasta Amatriciana

Discover the bold and comforting flavors of this Vegetarian Pasta Amatriciana, a plant-based twist on the classic Italian favorite. This recipe swaps traditional cured pork with smoky meatless bacon or tempeh, perfectly paired with crushed tomatoes, fragrant garlic, and a hint of smoked paprika for a rich, umami-packed sauce. A dash of red chili flakes adds subtle heat, while fresh basil infuses a burst of herbaceous freshness. Tossed with al dente spaghetti and finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan or nutritional yeast, this dish is a quick, satisfying meal ready in just 40 minutes. Perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests with a vegetarian-friendly Italian classic, it’s a flavorful recipe the whole family will love!

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 grams spaghetti or your favorite pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion
• 2 large garlic cloves
• 800 grams canned crushed tomatoes
• 150 grams meatless bacon or smoked tempeh
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 10 leaves fresh basil leaves
• 50 grams grated Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and then drain.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, prepare the sauce. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 3

Dice the yellow onion and mince the garlic cloves. Add the onion to the skillet and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 4

Chop the meatless bacon or smoked tempeh into small pieces and add to the skillet. Cook for an additional 3 minutes, until slightly crispy.

Step 5

Stir in the minced garlic, smoked paprika, and red chili flakes. Sauté for another minute until fragrant.

Step 6

Pour in the canned crushed tomatoes, and add the salt and black pepper. Stir to combine and let the sauce simmer for 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

Step 7

Tear or slice fresh basil leaves and stir them into the sauce. Adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.

Step 8

Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water, a little at a time, to reach desired consistency.

Step 9

Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast for a vegan option.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1564.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1662.2

Total Fat 64.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 17.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 20mg	0%
Sodium 4145.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 203.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 32.6g	0%
Total Sugars 42.4g
Protein 82.2g	0%

Vitamin D 20IU	0%
Calcium 1007.6mg	0%
Iron 16.1mg	0%
Potassium 3798.8mg	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: 33.7%

Protein: 19.1%

Carbs: 47.2%