Dairy-Free Baked Penne Pasta
Satisfy your comfort food cravings with this creamy and flavorful Dairy-Free Baked Penne Pasta! This recipe transforms a classic favorite into a plant-based masterpiece by using a rich cashew cream sauce infused with nutritional yeast for a cheesy, dairy-free twist. Tossed with tender spinach, aromatic garlic, and a zesty tomato base, the penne pasta is baked to perfection under a crispy golden breadcrumb topping. Ready in just 45 minutes, it's an ideal weeknight dinner or crowd-pleasing meal that's vegan-friendly, wholesome, and bursting with flavor. Perfect for those seeking a hearty, dairy-free baked pasta recipe!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 units garlic cloves, minced
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup nutritional yeast
- 1 cup raw cashews, soaked
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups spinach, fresh
- 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, and salt. Simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
Meanwhile, prepare the cashew cream. In a blender, combine the soaked cashews, almond milk, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and black pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy.
Stir the cashew cream into the tomato sauce, mixing well. Add the fresh spinach and cook for about 2 minutes, until wilted.
Combine the cooked penne pasta with the sauce, mixing thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly.
Transfer the pasta mixture to a lightly greased baking dish.
Sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly over the top of the pasta.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2698 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 108.9 g | 140% | |
| Saturated Fat | 16.2 g | 81% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 3589 mg | 156% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 312.5 g | 114% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 66.9 g | 239% | |
| Total Sugars | 57.7 g | ||
| Protein | 142.0 g | 284% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.5 mcg | 12% | |
| Calcium | 1155 mg | 89% | |
| Iron | 27.6 mg | 153% | |
| Potassium | 7444 mg | 158% | |
*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.
