nutritional information

Per 2 1/2-cup serving:

  • Calories: 575
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Total Fat: 4 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 86 g
  • Cholesterol: 4 mg
  • Sodium: 796 mg
  • Fiber: 6 g
  • Sugar: 12 g

Rigatoni Puttanesca with Veggie Meatballs

Rigatoni Puttanesca with Veggie Meatballs

Serves 2

30 minutes or fewer

Vegetarian sausage substitutes make great “meatballs” that come together in a snap—without the need for adding eggs as a binder. If you prefer milder olive flavor, use California olives. For a more pronounced, salty flavor, use kalamatas.
  • 4 oz. dried rigatoni pasta
  • 7 oz. (half of 14-oz. pkg.) soy sausage substitute, such as Gimme Lean (1 cup packed)
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs
  • 2 Tbs. grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish, optional
  • 1 Tbs. chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 Tbs. chopped fresh basil, divided
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.), divided
  • ¼ tsp. ground black pepper
  • 1 cup tomato sauce, no salt added
  • 2 Tbs. chopped black olives, optional

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, combine soy sausage, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, 1 Tbs. basil, 1 tsp. garlic, and pepper with fingers.
2. Coat large skillet with olive oil cooking spray, and heat over medium-high heat. Roll soy sausage mixture into 12 balls, about 2 Tbs. each. Cook meatballs 5 to 6 minutes, or until evenly browned. Add tomato sauce, olives, remaining 1 Tbs. basil, and remaining 1 tsp. garlic. Cover, and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer 3 to 5 minutes to let flavors meld.
3. Drain pasta, and stir into tomato sauce mixture. Divide between two plates. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, if using.

February 2010 p.29

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comments

Haven't used to gimme lean yet, but have made a "sausage" not sauce using field roast Italian style "sausage" not and it was very good, going to try this recipe this week

Wendy - 2012-11-04 14:59:58

This recipe was not to my liking. I'm fairly certain that the gimme lean sausage substitute was the culprit. I had never used this product before and both the flavor and texture ruined the good things that were happening with the sauce. I may be trying it again with a different "sausage," but I recommend staying away from Gimme Lean in any recipe.

Lindsey - 2010-04-02 19:34:29

This was a great quick recipe. The "meat"balls are really good. I will definitely be making this again. The one thing I changed about this recipe was that instead of using plain tomato sauce (with the extra tsp of garlic and Tbs of basil) I just used my favorite spaghetti sauce (Tomato, onion and garlic flavored). Oh - I guess two things - I skipped the olives (hate them).

Chawnta - 2010-04-02 12:38:04

I highly recommend the Gimme Lean sausage; it actually browns and has that "meaty" texture. It has a strong sage flavor that is traditional for any kind of sausage. If you don't like sage, then you will not like this product...

Bria - 2011-05-21 10:37:50