Vegetarian Penne with Meat Sauce

Satisfy your pasta cravings with this hearty and flavorful Vegetarian Penne with Meat Sauce, a plant-based twist on the classic comfort dish. Made with tender penne pasta and a rich tomato sauce infused with aromatic garlic, onions, and Italian herbs, this recipe uses plant-based ground "meat" to deliver the same savory depth as traditional meat sauce—completely meat-free! Ready in just 45 minutes, it’s the perfect weeknight dinner for vegetarians and pasta lovers alike. Top it off with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped basil for a fresh, cheesy finish that elevates every bite. Easy to make, packed with protein, and bursting with flavor, this vegetarian pasta will quickly become a household favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 ounces penne pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 12 ounces plant-based ground 'meat'
• 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

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

Step 3

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Stir in the plant-based ground 'meat' to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks, until it's browned.

Step 5

Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste to the skillet, stirring to combine.

Step 6

Season the sauce with oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and bring the sauce to a simmer.

Step 7

Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.

Step 8

Add the cooked penne pasta to the sauce, stirring to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.

Step 9

Serve the vegetarian penne hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil leaves.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1762.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2682.7

Total Fat 102.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 30.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 40mg	0%
Sodium 5235.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 345.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 37.1g	0%
Total Sugars 41.8g
Protein 130.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 895.8mg	0%
Iron 35.6mg	0%
Potassium 4918.4mg	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: 32.6%

Protein: 18.5%

Carbs: 48.9%