Your daughter’s creation inspired by TikTok looks absolutely mouthwatering! Let’s recreate this delicious dish with a vegan twist. The creamy, flavorful sauce, combined with fresh spinach and basil, makes for an irresistible meal.
Ingredients:
Pasta: 12 oz rigatoni or your favorite pasta
Olive oil: 2 tbsp
Garlic: 3 cloves, minced
Tomato paste: 3 tbsp
Coconut cream: 1 cup (or any plant-based cream)
Nutritional yeast: 1/4 cup
Vegan mozzarella: 1/2 cup, shredded
Red pepper flakes: 1 tsp (adjust to taste)
Salt: to taste
Black pepper: to taste
Fresh spinach: 2 cups
Fresh basil: 1/2 cup, roughly chopped
Instructions:
Cook the Pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
Drain and set aside.
Prepare the Sauce:
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another 2 minutes, allowing it to caramelize slightly.
Make it Creamy:
Pour in the coconut cream and stir well to combine.
Add the nutritional yeast, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy.
Add the Cheese:
Reduce the heat to low and add the shredded vegan mozzarella.
Stir continuously until the cheese melts and is fully incorporated into the sauce.
Combine Pasta and Sauce:
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat it thoroughly with the sauce.
Finish with Greens:
Add the fresh spinach and basil to the skillet.
Toss gently until the spinach wilts and the basil is well distributed.
Serve:
Divide the pasta among serving bowls.
Garnish with additional fresh basil and a sprinkle of nutritional yeast if desired.
Tips:
Nutritional Yeast: This adds a cheesy flavor to the sauce. If you don’t have it, you can substitute it with vegan Parmesan.
Coconut Cream: For a less coconutty flavor, you can use a cashew cream made by blending soaked cashews with water until smooth.
Vegan Mozzarella: Choose a good-quality vegan mozzarella that melts well for the best results.
Seasoning: Adjust the red pepper flakes according to your spice preference. Add more for a spicier kick.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
Calories: 350 kcal
Carbohydrates: 45 g
Protein: 12 g
Fat: 15 g
Fiber: 6 g
Sugar: 5 g
Sodium: 450 mg
Detailed Steps and Additional Tips:
Cooking the Pasta:
Cooking the pasta to al dente is key to ensuring it holds up well when mixed with the sauce. Make sure to salt the pasta water generously to infuse the pasta with flavor.
