Vegetarian Penne Pasta with Meat Sauce

Indulge in the hearty, comforting flavors of this Vegetarian Penne Pasta with Meat Sauce, a plant-based twist on the classic Italian favorite. This recipe combines al dente penne with a rich, savory sauce made from a medley of finely sautéed vegetables, diced mushrooms, and a vegetarian ground meat substitute, all simmered in a luscious blend of crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and aromatic herbs like oregano and basil. Perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy family gatherings, this dish is ready in under an hour and offers a satisfying, protein-packed meal without any meat. Garnished with freshly chopped parsley and the option of grated Parmesan cheese, this vegetarian pasta recipe delivers bold flavors that will please everyone at the table.

Nutriscore Rating: 79/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium, finely chopped onion
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 1 medium, diced carrot
• 1 diced celery stalk
• 8 oz, diced mushrooms
• 1 small, diced red bell pepper
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 12 oz vegetarian ground meat substitute
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
• 0.5 cup, grated (optional) parmesan cheese

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

Step 2

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

Step 3

In a large skillet or saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat.

Step 4

Add the onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Step 6

Add the diced carrot, celery, mushrooms, and red bell pepper to the pan. Sauté for 7-8 minutes until the vegetables are softened.

Step 7

Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes.

Step 8

Add the crushed tomatoes, vegetarian ground meat substitute, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.

Step 9

Bring the sauce to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it cook uncovered for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 10

Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.

Step 11

Combine the cooked penne pasta with the sauce and toss to coat the pasta evenly.

Step 12

Garnish with fresh parsley and optional Parmesan cheese before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2184.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2670.7

Total Fat 77.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 16.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.4g
Cholesterol 44.5mg	0%
Sodium 3366.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 367.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 44.2g	0%
Total Sugars 49.3g
Protein 130.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 895.1mg	0%
Iron 29.7mg	0%
Potassium 5534.3mg	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: 25.9%

Protein: 19.4%

Carbs: 54.7%