Vegan cheeseburger casserole made with plant-based protein, pasta, and dairy-free cheese. An easy, family-friendly comfort meal.
⏱ Time
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Serves: 6
🧺 Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked pasta (elbow or shells)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ cups cooked lentils or plant-based ground
- 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
- 1 cup unsweetened plant milk
- ½ cup raw cashews (soaked 2 hours)
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp mustard
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup vegan cheese shreds (optional)
- Pickles and green onions, for topping (optional)
👩🍳 Instructions
Firstly, preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F) and grease a baking dish.
Next, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil until soft and fragrant.
Then, add lentils or plant-based ground, tomatoes, tomato paste, and seasonings. Simmer for 5 minutes.
After that, blend cashews, plant milk, and nutritional yeast until smooth. Stir into the pan.
Finally, mix in cooked pasta, transfer to the baking dish, sprinkle vegan cheese on top, and bake for 20–25 minutes until bubbly.
🌟 Tips & Variations
- Low-Carb: Replace pasta with cauliflower florets.
- Extra Cheesy: Add more nutritional yeast or vegan cheddar.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta.
- Spicy Kick: Add diced jalapeños or chili flakes.
- Classic Burger Flavor: Top with pickles and dairy-free ketchup drizzle.
🌿 Benefits of Vegan Cheeseburger Casserole
Firstly, lentils provide plant-based protein and fiber.
Secondly, nutritional yeast adds B-vitamins and umami flavor.
Moreover, this dish is cholesterol-free and dairy-free.
In addition, it supports heart health and digestion.
As a result, you enjoy comfort food with balanced nutrition.
🧒 Kid-Friendly Version
- Firstly, skip mustard and smoked paprika.
- Then, use mild vegan cheese.
- Next, cut pasta smaller for easy bites.
- Finally, serve with ketchup on the side.
🧮 Nutrition Facts (Per Serving – Approximate)
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Protein: 16 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fat: 14 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Sugar: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
