Vegan Italian Eggplant Pasta Bake
Eggplant and pasta are a match made in heaven, especially in this soulful vegan eggplant pasta bake. Fresh eggplant is roasted to bring out a meaty texture while you build a simple marinara sauce loaded with onions, garlic, and peppers. The tofu stands in for ricotta cheese, offering extra plant-based protein and a soft, creamy texture. Top it all off with a little vegan cheese for that classic melt and you have a simple, vegan meal the whole family will want to eat any night of the week!
Ingredients
- 16 oz rigatoni
- 22 oz crushed tomatoes
- 16 oz water
- 2 eggplants cut in thin slices and then quartered
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 4 baby bell peppers cut in strips
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 block firm tofu crumbled
- 1 block GoodPLANetfoods Italian Style Mozzarella Cheese grated on a box grater
- 2-3 leaves fresh basil chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- To a sheet pan add eggplant, garlic powder, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 1 pinch salt, 1 tbsp olive oil and toss well. Spread in a single layer and bake for 20 minutes.
- Put on water to boil for pasta. Cook pasta al dente and reserve for assembly.
- Make the sauce. In a large and deep sauce pan heat remaining olive oil, add onion and garlic and cook for 4 minutes until fragrant. Then add peppers and cook 5 more minutes. Season with a pinch of salt. Add tomatoes, water, remaining Italian seasoning and let simmer for 10 minutes until pasta is ready and so is eggplant.
- In a casserole or lasagna pan add the pasta and ¾ of the sauce and stir.
- Top with half of the grated cheese, then make a layer of crumbled tofu, then a layer of eggplant. Top with desired amount of remaining sauce and the rest of the grated cheese. Cover with tin foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Serve with fresh basil garnish.
Nutrition
Calories: 557kcalCarbohydrates: 86gProtein: 21gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 821mgPotassium: 910mgFiber: 11gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 864IUVitamin C: 39mgCalcium: 170mgIron: 4mg
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