Vegan Baked Ziti with Meatballs
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Vegan Baked Ziti with Meatballs, a hearty, plant-based twist on a classic favorite. Tender ziti pasta is perfectly cooked and baked in a rich marinara sauce infused with the savory bite of vegan meatballs. What sets this recipe apart is the luscious, homemade cashew cheese sauce—a creamy, dairy-free delight crafted with soaked cashews, nutritional yeast, and a hint of lemon for that tangy kick. Layered with Italian seasoning and topped with fresh basil, every bite is a symphony of flavors. Quick to prepare and baked to golden perfection, this dish is perfect for family dinners, meal preps, or potluck gatherings. It’s proof that vegan comfort food can be irresistible, satisfying, and crowd-pleasing.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces ziti pasta
- 20 pieces vegan meatballs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 pieces garlic cloves, minced
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 1.5 cups cashews, soaked for 2 hours and drained
- 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 cup plant-based milk
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 0.5 cup fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion, and sauté until the onion becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the marinara sauce and bring to a simmer. Add the vegan meatballs, cover, and let them cook through in the sauce for about 10 minutes.
While the meatballs are cooking, prepare the cashew cheese sauce by blending the soaked cashews, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and plant-based milk in a high-speed blender until smooth. Season with salt to taste.
Combine the cooked ziti and vegan meatballs in the skillet with the marinara sauce and gently mix to ensure the pasta is evenly coated.
Spread half of the ziti mixture in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Pour half of the cashew cheese sauce over the pasta and sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
Top with the remaining ziti mixture and pour the rest of the cashew cheese sauce over it.
Sprinkle ground black pepper on top and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, until the top is slightly golden and bubbling.
Remove from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
928 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 47.9 g | 61% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.2 g | 36% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1664 mg | 72% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 74.2 g | 27% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 15.0 g | 53% | |
| Total Sugars | 11.4 g | ||
| Protein | 47.3 g | 95% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.4 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 219 mg | 17% | |
| Iron | 10.8 mg | 60% | |
| Potassium | 1129 mg | 24% | |
*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.
