Vegan Pasta and Meatball Bake

This dump-and-bake vegan pasta and meatball bake combines convenience, comfort, and yummy flavors. Everything cooks together in one dish so you end up with a high-protein plant-based casserole with barely any effort.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Everything cooks in one dish, which means there are less dishes to wash. You don’t even have to cook pasta separately!
• At the end of a long day, you’re going to wish for a recipe that requires as little effort as possible. This dump-and-bake recipe is the perfect lazy weeknight “quickie”.
• Great for feeding a crowd or meal prepping multiple servings for the week!
• This vegan pasta and meatball bake uses store-bought shortcuts in the best way. Grab a jar of pasta sauce, some frozen vegan meatballs, and vegetable broth to make a delicious – still healthy – dinner.

Key Ingredients

• Rotini pasta is a good pasta shape to cook directly in the sauce without sticking together. The spirals help it holds onto the flavors, too!
• Vegan meatballs are usually made with soy. Frozen plant-based meatballs are an amazing way to quickly add protein to your pasta.
• Marinara sauce is a classic companion for the pasta and meatballs. Plus, the store bought variety is typically vegan!
• Broccoli and spinach add color, texture, and fiber. If you’re trying to eat more vegetables, this is an easy way to get a serving or two.

Hack It!

• Use any medium size pasta you have on hand. Try it with penne, rigatoni or even farfalle.
• Gluten-free? Brown rice pasta, lentil pasta or chickpea pasta are great substitutes.
• Get scrappy! Swap broccoli for mushrooms, zucchini, kale, or frozen spinach. Whatever you have in the fridge, don’t let it go to waste!
• Although this is meant as a meal of convenience, you can take it a step further with homemade pasta sauce, vegan meatballs, or veggie broth.
• The vegan cheese is optional, which also means you can measure it with your heart!
• If your local stores don’t sell vegan meatballs, try this with extra firm tofu, chunks of seitan, or pre-soaked soy curls.

How to Make Vegan Pasta and Meatball Bake

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375F and prepare a 9×13 casserole dish. To the casserole dish, add the dry pasta, meatballs, marinara sauce, nutritional yeast and broth.

Step 2: Stir the pasta, meatballs, and sauce until combined.

Step 3: Add the broccoli and spinach, and stir again. Cover with foil or a casserole dish lid, and place in the oven for 40 minutes.

Step 4: Remove the lid, and sprinkle with vegan cheese, as desired.

Bake uncovered for 10 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the whole thing is bubbling. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions