Save A hearty, flavor-packed pasta bake featuring spicy vegan chorizo, roasted vegetables, and a creamy tomato sauce, perfect for a comforting plant-based meal.
Ingredients
- Pasta: 350 g dried rigatoni or penne Salt for boiling
- Vegan Chorizo & Vegetables: 250 g vegan chorizo sliced 1 red bell pepper diced 1 zucchini diced 1 small red onion finely chopped 2 cloves garlic minced 1 tbsp olive oil
- Sauce: 500 ml passata (sieved tomatoes) 2 tbsp tomato paste 1 tsp smoked paprika 1/2 tsp chili flakes (adjust to taste) 1 tsp dried oregano 1/2 tsp ground cumin Salt and black pepper to taste
- Topping: 60 g vegan mozzarella grated 2 tbsp nutritional yeast Fresh parsley chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Step 2:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until just al dente (2 minutes less than package instructions). Drain and set aside.
- Step 3:
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add vegan chorizo slices and cook for 3–4 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Step 4:
- In the same skillet, add onion, garlic, bell pepper, and zucchini. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until softened.
- Step 5:
- Stir in passata, tomato paste, smoked paprika, chili flakes, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Step 6:
- Add the cooked pasta and vegan chorizo to the sauce. Toss everything together until well combined.
- Step 7:
- Transfer the mixture to a lightly oiled baking dish. Sprinkle with vegan mozzarella and nutritional yeast.
- Step 8:
- Bake for 15–20 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbling.
- Step 9:
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Save 
Save Kitchen Help
- → What type of pasta works best for this dish?
Short pasta like rigatoni or penne holds the sauce well and provides a satisfying texture in the bake.
- → How spicy is the vegan chorizo pasta?
The level of heat can be adjusted by adding more or fewer chili flakes or including a diced jalapeño for extra kick.
- → Can I substitute vegetables in this pasta bake?
Yes, you can swap bell pepper and zucchini with eggplant, mushrooms, or other preferred vegetables for varied flavors.
- → What kind of sauce complements the vegan chorizo?
A smoky, creamy tomato sauce enhanced with smoked paprika, tomato paste, and aromatic spices pairs beautifully with the chorizo.
- → How do I achieve a golden, bubbling top layer?
Sprinkle vegan mozzarella and nutritional yeast over the assembled pasta before baking at 200°C (400°F) for 15–20 minutes.
- → What are good serving suggestions for this pasta?
Serve with a crisp green salad and crusty bread; it also pairs nicely with chilled Spanish rosé or lemon-infused sparkling water.