Ultra creamy, rich and so tasty, this pasta bake with marinara and Alfredo sauce makes for the ultimate vegan comfort food recipe to serve at your next family dinner. It is versatile, healthy, completely dairy-free + plant-based and makes for such a great crowd pleaser.
One of my most popular recipes on the blog is this vegan bake ziti, and I have made it myself so many times, often with some variation of it, such as this vegan pasta bake recipe with marinara and Alfredo sauce.
The pink sauce combines an oat milk Alfredo sauce with hearty marinara sauce, although you can also use jarred marinara to speed up the process. It is ultra creamy and rich, comforting and full of flavor... also makes for a very healthy dinner you can even prep ahead.
Feel free to use any pasta you like, toss in your favorite veggies and add in extra protein if you wish, this recipe is so versatile! And serve with a side of whole wheat dinner rolls for a treat!
For more vegan pasta bake recipes, check out this vegan manicotti recipe and this vegan baked spaghetti recipe.
Let me know how you like it! ❤️
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❤️ Why you will love this recipe
- Easy pasta recipe sure to please any pasta lover.
- Make your own marinara and Alfredo sauce, or swap for store-bought sauces for a speedy dinner during a busy week.
- Versatile pasta dish that can be used as a base to add in your favorite veggies/protein.
- Amazingly creamy and flavorful pasta sauce.
- 100% vegan and dairy-free, and easy to make gluten-free.
🗒 Ingredient notes
- Marinara sauce: make your own marinara sauce or use a store-bought sauce if you are busy. If you have fresh tomatoes, then a homemade pomodoro sauce would be amazing!
- Alfredo sauce: I used this homemade (and fast!) oat milk Alfredo sauce, which worked out perfectly, but you can also use a cauliflower Alfredo sauce for a low-fat recipe, or go for this vegan Alfredo zucchini sauce or this cashew cream sauce for a more decadent version.
- Veggies: I enjoy bell peppers in pasta dishes, but mushrooms, broccoli, spinach, asparagus and green peas work great too. Use whatever you feel like!
- Pasta: I think short pasta is best for this pasta bake recipe. I used rigatoni, but ziti, rotini, macaroni or shells are great too.
⭐️ Full list of ingredients down below in the recipe card!
📝 Variations
- Speedy recipe: Primal Kitchen has a jarred Alfredo sauce that you might want to use for a quick weeknight dinner. Also, use your favorite store-bought marinara to save some time!
- Protein: for a vegan dinner that is higher in plant protein, then add some roasted tofu or tempeh or cooked lentils. This silken tofu pasta sauce could also be used instead of the oat milk Alfredo for a boost in plant-based protein. Or try adding homemade Italian vegan meatballs!
- Cheesy pasta bake: if you enjoy store-bought vegan cheese, then garnish the dish with vegan Mozzarella cheese before transferring it to the oven.
🍽 How to make pasta bake with marinara and Alfredo sauce
Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then cook the pasta al dente (or even 1-2 minutes less than what is recommended on the packaging).
Step 2: Warm up a large pan with a little oil, then add the onion, peppers, dried herbs and salt. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring often.
Step 3: In the pot you used to cook the pasta, combine the noodles, cooked veggies, marinara sauce and HALF the Alfredo sauce.
Step 4: Transfer the pasta mix to a large baking dish, then drizzle the rest of the Alfredo sauce over. Bake in a pre-heated oven (375ºF) for about 25-30 minutes or until bubbly. Let it rest for about 5 minutes, then serve. Enjoy!
⭐️ Detailed recipe down below in the recipe card!
💡 Helpful tips
- As for any pasta bake recipes, make sure to keep the noodles slightly undercooked since they will keep cooking in the oven.
- Adjust seasoning to your liking: we love it with plenty of Italian dried herbs, but red pepper flakes, dried oregano or any other seasoning you like will work.
- For a golden brown finish, you can broil the dish for a few minutes at the end of baking.
❗️ Storage tips
Keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
To reheat, use the microwave or the oven (375ºF for 10-15 minutes).
You can freeze this recipe, although pasta tends to be softer after thawing.
❓ FAQs
Yes! Layer the dish and cover with foil, then keep it in the fridge until dinner time. Simply transfer to the pre-heated oven straight from the fridge, but you might want to bake for a few extra minutes.
Yes! Use a gluten-free flour when making the Alfredo sauce and make sure to choose GF noodles.
I hope you like this vegan pasta bake recipe as much as we do! If you try it, please leave a comment below and rate the recipe to let me know how it was. Your feedback is so helpful!
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📖 Recipe
Pasta Bake with Marinara and Alfredo (Vegan)
Equipment
- Large baking dish
- Medium pot
Ingredients
- 16 oz short noodles of your choice - I used rigatoni
- 2 bell peppers - diced, any colors
- 1 small yellow onion - diced
- 1 tbsp Italian herbs - or dried oregano and parsley
- 25 oz marinara sauce - make your own marinara sauce or use jarred marinara sauce
- 1 batch vegan Alfredo sauce - I used this oat milk alfredo sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375ºF.
- Make the oat milk Alfredo sauce and marinara sauce (skip if using store-bought)
- Bring a large pot of water and cook the noodles al dente or slightly undercooked. Drain, transfer the pasta back to the pot and set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking: warm up a small amount of oil in a large pan and add the onion and peppers with a pinch of salt and the Italian spices. Stir and cook on medium-high heat for about 5-7 minutes. Remove from the heat.
- Transfer the cooked vegetables to the pot with the cooked noodles, and pour the marinara sauce over + HALF of the Alfredo sauce. Stir to combine, then taste and adjust seasonings.
- Transfer the pasta-veggie mix to a large oven-safe dish (such as a lasagna dish). Drizzle the second half of the Alfredo sauce over.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, then let it rest for 5-7 minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
- As for any pasta bake recipes, make sure to keep the noodles slightly undercooked since they will keep cooking in the oven.
- Adjust seasoning to your liking: we love it with plenty of Italian dried herbs, but red pepper flakes, dried oregano or any other seasoning you like will work.
- For a golden brown finish, you can broil the dish for a few minutes at the end of baking.
- Nutrition: please note that the nutritional information is an estimate per serving provided for informational purposes only (calculated by software) and accuracy is not guaranteed. Consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if you need precise nutrition calculations for health reasons.
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