Is Pasta Vegan? Part 7: 5 Decadent Vegan Pasta Bakes

🔥🧀 Pasta bakes are the ultimate comfort food, and these five vegan versions deliver all the gooey, crispy, crave-worthy goodness without dairy or meat. From cheesy lasagna to smoky mac ‘n’ “pepperoni”, these oven-baked wonders are weeknight heroes.

SEO Keyword Focus: “Is Pasta Vegan”

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1. Ultimate Vegan Lasagna 🍅🌿

Flavor Profile: Rich, layered, with herby depth

Ingredients

• 12 lasagna sheets (egg-free)
• 1 batch cashew ricotta (1 cup cashews + lemon + nooch)
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup spinach, sautéed
• ½ cup vegan mozzarella shreds

Step-by-Step

1. Prep: Cook lasagna sheets al dente.
2. Layer: Sauce → noodles → ricotta → spinach → repeat.
3. Top: Mozzarella + breadcrumb mix (¼ cup panko + 1 tbsp olive oil).
4. Bake: 375°F (190°C) for 30 mins covered, 10 mins uncovered.

Pro Tip: Add 1 tsp fennel seeds to ricotta for “sausage” flavor.

Source: Vegan Comfort Classics by Lauren Toyota

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2. Buffalo Chickpea Bake 🌶️🥬

Flavor Profile: Spicy, tangy, with creamy crunch

Ingredients

• 8 oz penne
• 1 cup buffalo sauce
• 1 can chickpeas, mashed
• ½ cup vegan ranch
• ¼ cup breadcrumbs

Step-by-Step

1. Mix: Toss cooked pasta with buffalo sauce and chickpeas.
2. Top: Drizzle ranch, sprinkle breadcrumbs.
3. Bake: 400°F (200°C) for 15 mins until bubbly.

Hack: Add chopped celery for fresh contrast.

Source: The Vegan 8 by Brandi Doming

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3. Mushroom Stroganoff Bake 🍄🍝

Flavor Profile: Earthy, creamy, with umami richness

Ingredients

• 8 oz rigatoni
• 2 cups cremini mushrooms, sliced
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• Sauce:
  • 1 cup cashew cream
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika

Step-by-Step

1. Sauté: Mushrooms + soy sauce until caramelized.
2. Combine: Toss with pasta and sauce.
3. Bake: 375°F (190°C) for 20 mins.

Pro Tip: Top with crispy fried onions.

Source: Vegan Richa’s Everyday Kitchen

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4. “Pepperoni” Pizza Pasta Bake 🍕🍝

Flavor Profile: Savory, smoky, with melty cheese

Ingredients

• 8 oz rotini
• 1 cup vegan pepperoni slices
• 1½ cups pizza sauce
• 1 cup vegan mozzarella
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning

Step-by-Step

1. Mix: Toss cooked pasta with sauce and pepperoni.
2. Top: Cheese + seasoning.
3. Bake: 400°F (200°C) for 15 mins. Broil 2 mins for crispiness.

Hack: Use sun-dried tomato pesto for extra depth.

Source: BOSH! on a Budget

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5. Butternut Mac & Cheese Bake 🎃🧀

Flavor Profile: Sweet, cheesy, with crispy panko

Ingredients

• 8 oz elbow macaroni
• 1 cup butternut squash puree
• ¼ cup nutritional yeast
• 1 tsp turmeric (for color)
• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs

Step-by-Step

1. Sauce: Blend squash, nooch, turmeric, and ½ cup plant milk.
2. Combine: Toss with cooked pasta.
3. Bake: 375°F (190°C) for 25 mins with panko topping.

Pro Tip: Add 1 tbsp white miso for umami.

Source: Oh She Glows Every Day by Angela Liddon

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Vegan Pasta Bake Pro Tips

Pasta Prep

✔ Undercook by 2 mins (it softens further while baking).
✔ Rinse with cold water to stop cooking if prepping ahead.

Cheese Alternatives

• Stretchiness: Use Violife or Miyoko’s mozzarella.
• Quick “Parm”: Blend ½ cup cashews + 2 tbsp nooch + 1 tsp salt.

Storage

❄️ Freeze unbaked: Cover tightly, bake from frozen (+15 mins).
🍽️ Reheat: Splash with plant milk to revive creaminess.

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Final Answer: Is Pasta Vegan in Bakes?

✅ Absolutely! These recipes replace dairy with:

• Nut-based cheeses
• Veggie purees (squash, cashews)
• Oil-based breadcrumb toppings

Watch for: Hidden milk powder in store-bought breadcrumbs.

Which bake will you try first? Tag #VeganPastaBake!

Sources Recap:

1. Vegan Comfort Classics (Lasagna)
2. The Vegan 8 (Buffalo bake)
3. Vegan Richa’s Everyday Kitchen (Stroganoff)
4. BOSH! on a Budget (Pizza bake)
5. Oh She Glows Every Day (Mac & cheese)

Missed Parts 1-6? Catch up on cold salads, stuffed pastas, and more!

Request Part 8? (One-pot pastas? Gnocchi bakes? Comment below!)** 🍲👇