This Easy Vegetarian Creamy Pasta Bake is made with just a few simple, common ingredients like gluten free pasta, fresh spinach, vegan sausage and a parmesan sauce. It can be ready in 30 minutes or less. If you are not gluten free you can use regular standard pasta and regular standard flour to thicken up the sauce.
This Easy Vegetarian Creamy Pasta Bake recipe is gluten-free, vegetarian and can be made low fat and low carb.
why you’ll love this recipe
- This Easy Vegetarian Creamy Pasta Bake is easy to meal prep because you can simply cook the pasta and make the sauce ahead of time. Then, when you are ready to eat, simply assemble the dish and bake it.
- This is a great way to have a healthy and delicious meal ready to go on busy weeknights.
- This creamy pasta bake is the perfect weeknight dinner because it’s quick and easy to make, and it’s packed with flavor and nutrients.
- The spinach adds a healthy boost of vitamins and minerals, and the chicken sausage provides protein.
- You can make this Easy Vegetarian Creamy Pasta Bake recipe dairy free by using dairy free parmesan and dairy free milk.
- To make this dish vegan, use a dairy-free parmesan cheese alternative.
- You can add other vegetables to this dish, such as broccoli, mushrooms, or zucchini.
ingredients & substitutions
Goat milk
Goat milk is thicker than cows milk. Goat milk is a good source of protein, calcium, and vitamin A. It is also easier to digest than cow’s milk for some people.
If you cannot find goat milk, you can use another type of milk, such as cow’s milk, soy milk, or almond milk. However, the flavor of the dish may be slightly different. If you are dairy free and looking to keep this recipe low fat you can use oat milk or low fat coconut creamer for this Easy Vegetarian Creamy Pasta Bake.
Parmesan cheese
Parmesan cheese has a sharp cheesy flavor. Parmesan cheese is a good source of protein, calcium, and vitamin B12. It is also low in calories and fat.
If you cannot find Parmesan cheese, you can use another type of hard cheese, such as Romano cheese or Asiago cheese. You can also use a dairy-free Parmesan cheese alternative.
Gluten-free flour
Gluten-free flour is used here to thicken up the sauce.
If you do not need to use gluten-free flour, you can use all-purpose flour instead.
Garlic
Garlic has a sharp, pungent flavor. It is a good source of vitamins C and B6, as well as manganese and copper. It also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
If you do not like garlic, you can omit it from the recipe. You can also use onion powder or shallots in this Easy Vegetarian Creamy Pasta Bake.
Parsley
Parsley is a good source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium and iron.
If you do not have parsley, you can use another type of fresh herb, such as basil or oregano. You can also omit the parsley altogether.
Onion powder
Onion powder has a sweet, onion-like flavor. It is often used to add flavor to dishes. Onion powder is a good source of vitamins C and B6, as well as manganese and copper.
If you do not have onion powder, you can use garlic powder instead. You can also use fresh onions or shallots.
Pepper
Pepper is a good source of vitamins C and K, as well as manganese and copper.
If you do not like pepper, you can omit it from the Easy Vegetarian Creamy Pasta Bake recipe.
Pasta
Pasta is a good source of carbohydrates and protein. It is also a good source of fiber.
If you do not need to use gluten free pasta you can use standard wheat pasta. If you do not have pasta, you can use another type of grain, such as rice or quinoa. You can also use cauliflower pasta or another veggie based pasta to keep this lower carb.
Spinach
Spinach is a good source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium, iron, and magnesium. It is also a good source of fiber.
If you do not have spinach, you can use another type of leafy green vegetable, such as kale or collard greens. You can also use frozen spinach.
Vegan sausage
Vegan sausage has a similar taste to traditional sausage. It is often made with plant-based ingredients, such as beans, lentils, or tofu. Vegan sausage is usually lower in saturated fat and calories than traditional sausage. It is also a good source of protein and fiber.
If you do not have vegan sausage, you can use another type of plant-based protein, such as tofu, chick’n or tempeh. You can also omit the vegan sausage alltogether from this Easy Vegetarian Creamy Pasta Bake.
taste & texture
This Easy Vegetarian Creamy Pasta Bake has a rich and savory flavor. The parmesan cheese adds a nutty and salty flavor, while the garlic and onion powder add depth and complexity. The pasta is cooked al dente, so it has a slightly chewy texture, which contrasts nicely with the creamy sauce. The spinach adds a fresh and earthy flavor to the dish, and the vegan sausage provides a hearty and flavorful protein source.
directions
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Step 2
In a medium saucepan, whisk together the goat milk or dairy-free alternative, parmesan cheese or dairy-free alternative, flour, garlic, parsley, onion powder, and pepper.
Step 3
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and comes to a boil. Remove from heat.
Step 4
Add cooked pasta, spinach and sausage to a 9×13 inch baking dish. Pour saue over top. Mix and cover.
Step 5
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the pasta is heated through.
expert tips & tricks
- For a richer Easy Vegetarian Creamy Pasta Bake, use whole-fat goat milk or a thick dairy-free alternative.
- If you don’t have gluten-free flour, you can use all-purpose flour instead.
- To make this Easy Vegetarian Creamy Pasta Bake vegan, use a dairy-free parmesan cheese alternative and omit the chicken sausage.
- You can add other vegetables to this dish, such as broccoli, mushrooms, or zucchini.
- Serve with a side salad and crusty bread for a complete meal.
- If you are freezing the pasta bake, make sure to allow it to cool completely before freezing. This will help to prevent the pasta bake from becoming soggy when it is reheated.
- To reheat the Easy Vegetarian Creamy Pasta Bake in the microwave, simply microwave it on high for 2-3 minutes, or until it is heated through.
- If you are meal prepping the pasta bake in individual containers, make sure to label each container with the date and contents.
- If you are preparing the Easy Vegetarian Creamy Pasta Bake ahead of time, you can also assemble the pasta bake in a disposable baking dish. This will make it easy to transport and bake the pasta bake when you are ready.
how to make this lower carb
Use low-carb pasta noodles, such as shirataki noodles or zucchini noodles. Reduce the amount of flour in the sauce. Add more vegetables to the dish, such as broccoli, cauliflower, or mushrooms to the Easy Vegetarian Creamy Pasta Bake.
how to make this low fat or healthier
Use a low-fat milk alternative, such as skim milk or unsweetened almond milk. Reduce the amount of oil in the dish. Use lean vegan sausage or another low-fat protein source in this Easy Vegetarian Creamy Pasta Bake.
how to make this vegan
Use a vegan parmesan cheese alternative. To make this vegan, use vegan sausage or another plant-based protein source. Use a vegan milk alternative, such as almond milk, soy milk, or coconut milk.
how to serve, store and meal prep
To serve this Easy Vegetarian Creamy Pasta Bake, simply scoop it into individual bowls and serve it with your favorite toppings. Some popular toppings include grated parmesan cheese, fresh herbs, and a side salad.
When storing this Easy Vegetarian Creamy Pasta Bake in the fridge, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. To store it in the freezer, place it in an airtight container and freeze it for up to 3 months.
When reheating this Easy Vegetarian Creamy Pasta Bake from the fridge, simply bake it in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes, or until it is heated through. To reheat the pasta bake from the freezer, thaw it overnight in the fridge, then bake it in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30-35 minutes, or until it is heated through.
To meal prep this Easy Vegetarian Creamy Pasta Bake in individual containers, simply divide the pasta bake into equal portions and place each portion in an airtight container. You can store the containers in the fridge for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To prepare the Easy Vegetarian Creamy Pasta Bake ahead of time, simply assemble the pasta bake as directed, but do not bake it. Cover the pasta bake and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When you are ready to bake the pasta bake, simply preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the pasta bake for 30-35 minutes, or until it is heated through.
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Vegetarian Creamy Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups goat milk or dairy-free alternative
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese or dairy-free alternative
- 2 tablespoons gluten-free flour
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic sautéed with olive oil
- 1 teaspoon parsley
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups gluten-free pasta cooked for half the suggested time
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 2 cups vegan sausage
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together the goat milk or dairy-free alternative, parmesan cheese or dairy-free alternative, flour, garlic, parsley, onion powder, and pepper.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and comes to a boil.
- Remove from heat.
- Add cooked pasta, spinach and sausage to a 9×13 inch baking dish. Pour saue over top. Mix and cover.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the pasta is heated through.
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