🌱 Vegan Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Zucchini Casserole 🍝🥒
This Vegan Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Zucchini Casserole is a delicious and healthy plant-based dish! Jumbo pasta shells are stuffed with a creamy spinach and zucchini filling, then baked in marinara sauce to perfection. It’s hearty, satisfying, and perfect for any occasion. 🌟✨
Ingredients:
For the Filling:
1 1/2 cups firm tofu, crumbled 🧈
1 cup fresh spinach, finely chopped 🥬
1 cup zucchini, grated and squeezed to remove excess water 🥒
1/4 cup nutritional yeast 🌟
1 clove garlic, minced 🧄
1 tbsp lemon juice 🍋
1/2 tsp onion powder 🧅
1 tsp Italian seasoning 🌿
Salt and pepper to taste 🧂
For the Sauce:
3 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade) 🍅
For the Shells:
20 jumbo pasta shells 🍝
For the Topping:
1/2 cup vegan mozzarella cheese (optional for extra cheesiness) 🧀
2 tbsp fresh basil or parsley, chopped 🌿
Instructions:
Cook the Pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the jumbo pasta shells according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool.
Prepare the Filling:
In a large mixing bowl, combine crumbled tofu, chopped spinach, grated zucchini, nutritional yeast, minced garlic, lemon juice, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well until the filling is creamy and well combined.
Stuff the Shells:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Spread 1 cup of marinara sauce on the bottom of a large casserole dish.
Fill each cooked shell with 1-2 tablespoons of the tofu-spinach-zucchini mixture and place them in the casserole dish, open side up.
Assemble the Casserole:
Pour the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed shells, covering them evenly.
Sprinkle vegan mozzarella cheese on top if desired.
Bake:
Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is melted.
Serve:
Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve warm. Pair with garlic bread or a side salad for a complete meal.
This Vegan Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Zucchini Casserole is creamy, comforting, and packed with wholesome plant-based goodness. Perfect for family dinners or meal prep! 💚