Mouth-Watering Vegan Manicotti – Perfect for Meatless Monday
If you’re following a vegan diet, you may be wondering how to indulge in some comfort food classics without sacrificing your ethical principles. Enter the vegan manicotti. This hearty pasta dish is a crowd-pleaser and is sure to satisfy any cravings for Italian cuisine.
But don’t assume that being vegan means compromising on taste. This recipe is packed with savory flavors and is bound to impress even your meat-eating friends. Plus, it’s completely gluten-free, making it a great option for those with dietary restrictions.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the steps to creating this easy vegan manicotti recipe. With simple ingredients and clear instructions, you’ll be able to whip up a delicious plant-based meal in no time. Trust me, once you try this dish, it’ll become a staple in your recipe collection.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you love hearty and comforting Italian cuisine, but also appreciate the benefits of a plant-based diet, then this vegan manicotti recipe is perfect for you. Not only is it deliciously satisfying, it’s also incredibly easy to make at home.
The star of this dish is the vegan ricotta filling, made with firm tofu and raw cashews soaked in water. This gives it a creamy and rich texture that will make you forget that it’s dairy-free. And with a combination of garlic powder, nutritional yeast flakes, and oregano seasoning, the ricotta filling is packed with flavor that takes this vegan manicotti recipe to the next level.
To make this recipe plant-based and gluten-free, we use chickpea-based manicotti shells instead of regular pasta. This adds an extra boost of protein while maintaining the classic shape and texture of traditional manicotti.
But what really makes this recipe special is the addition of frozen spinach to the vegan ricotta mixture. The spinach adds depth and vibrancy to the filling while incorporating a healthy dose of greens into your meal.
Overall, you’ll love this recipe because it’s an easy vegan version of classic Italian comfort food that doesn’t sacrifice on taste or nutrition. It’s perfect to make for family and friends who may not be familiar with vegan cuisine but are sure to be blown away by how delicious it can be. Give it a try and enjoy a guilt-free indulgence!
Ingredient List
Here is a comprehensive list of all the ingredients you’ll need to create this amazing vegan manicotti recipe.
Pasta Sauce
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can of crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
Vegan Ricotta Filling
- 8 oz package of manicotti shells
- 2 cups of raw cashews, soaked in water for 30 minutes
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
- 1/4 cup of soy milk
- 1/4 cup of nutritional yeast flakes
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- 1/2 cup of fresh spinach, chopped
Tofu Ricotta Filling
- 14 oz firm tofu
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Spinach Filling
- 10 oz frozen spinach, thawed and thoroughly drained
- 16 oz block firm tofu, pressed and crumbled
- ½ cup nutritional yeast flakes
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Manicotti Sauce
- 2 cups tomato sauce (see note below for how to make vegan)
- Blush Sauce (suggestion post)
With these ingredients at hand, we are ready to begin creating this easy vegan manicotti.
The Recipe How-To
Now that we have all of the ingredients ready, let’s start with the vegan tofu ricotta filling. In a food processor, combine 8 oz firm tofu, 1 cup raw cashews soaked in water for at least 20 minutes, 2 cloves minced garlic, and 2 tablespoons soy milk. Process everything until you get a smooth and creamy texture.
Next, in a separate bowl, combine the tofu mixture with 2 cups of chopped fresh spinach, 1 teaspoon oregano, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Add 1/4 cup nutritional yeast flakes and mix everything together until it is well combined.
Now for the vegan manicotti shells, cook an 8 oz package of manicotti pasta according to the package instructions. Be sure to set aside some pasta cooking water for later use.
Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and rinse it under cold water to avoid sticking. Using a spoon or a piping bag, fill each shell with the vegan ricotta mixture until they are stuffed.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Then, prepare an oven-safe baking dish by greasing it with olive oil or non-stick spray.
Next step is to make the tomato sauce by heating 1 tablespoon olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add in 1 diced yellow onion and 2 crushed garlic cloves, sauté until fragrant and lightly browned. Then add in one can of tomato sauce or pasta sauce of your choice with 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
Bring the tomato sauce to a simmer over medium heat for around 5-10 minutes.
Then pour half of the tomato sauce on the bottom of the baking dish, add stuffed manicotti shells on top of it then pour the remaining tomato sauce on top of the stuffed manicotti shells covering all of them.
Bake uncovered at 375°F (190°C) degrees for 25-35 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
Garnish with some extra nutritional yeast flakes or fresh spinach before serving as desired.
Enjoy this easy vegan manicotti recipe that is sure to impress!
Substitutions and Variations
Vegan Manicotti is a delicious and satisfying dish that can be customized in numerous ways, to meet your taste preferences or some dietary needs of your family or guests. There are several ingredients in this recipe that can be substituted with other vegan options or completely omitted to make the dish healthier.
For instance, instead of using canned tomato sauce, you can make a homemade tomato sauce by blending fresh tomatoes, garlic cloves, olive oil, black pepper, nutritional yeast flakes, and oregano in a blender. This way, you can be sure of what’s in your tomato sauce without any additives or excess sodium.
If comfort food is your thing but gluten isn’t, then opt for gluten-free Manicotti pasta. You can use gluten-free lasagna sheets and cut them lengthwise into thin strips to achieve the same result. Similarly, if you’re lactose intolerant, you can substitute the traditional ricotta cheese with plant-based sources like vegan tofu ricotta, cashew ricotta or almond ricotta.
Frozen spinach is convenient but fresh spinach leaves taste phenomenal in this recipe too. Cook down 4-5 cups of fresh spinach until wilted then chop it well and mix it with the ricotta filling. You can also add more texture by adding chopped mushrooms to your spinach ricotta cannelloni.
Feeling adventurous? Replace the cannelloni pasta with vegetable ribbons made from shredded zucchini or sliced eggplant as filling for your vegan manicotti stuffed delicacies. For a tangy twist, add soaked cashews as a topping drizzled with blush sauce – made up of oil-free marinara mixed with apple cider vinegar and dried basil.
Conclusion:
With a little creativity and attention to small details, vegan manicotti recipes can be easily transformed to fit a wide range of tastes and dietary needs while still retaining that rich Italian flavor we all crave. Don’t be afraid to play around with different fillings or sauces until you find something that suits your preference!
Serving and Pairing
Once you have prepared the delicious vegan manicotti, it’s time to consider how to serve and pair it for an unforgettable meal experience. This dish is versatile enough to be served as a main course or as a side dish. It pairs well with different sides such as salads, bread, vegetables, or potatoes.
You can also add some texture and flavor to the vegan manicotti by serving it with a sauce that complements its ingredients. A homemade tomato sauce will bring out the best of flavors in this pasta dish. You can make your own tomato sauce by simmering crushed tomatoes with diced onions and garlic, olive oil, oregano, black pepper, and some red pepper flakes for a hint of spice.
If you prefer a creamier and richer sauce instead of tomato sauce, you can try serving the vegan manicotti with blush sauce. To make this sauce, combine olive oil with crushed garlic in a pan over low heat. Add soy milk and apple cider vinegar until the mixture has thickened to a desired consistency.
To complete your meal, you can add some complementary sides like roasted vegetables such as zucchini or eggplant, garlic bread, or a garden salad with balsamic vinaigrette dressing. This amazing vegan manicotti recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free and easy to prepare, making it perfect for anyone looking for a healthy but satisfying meal. Put this recipe on your suggestion post as it is simple yet delicious!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
The convenience of this vegan manicotti recipe is only enhanced by its make-ahead and reheating options. You can prepare the dish ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 2 days or freeze it for up to 2 months. This ensures that your meal prep time is minimal, and you can enjoy a delicious, homemade manicotti right when you need it.
To store the vegan manicotti, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place it in an airtight container. When you are ready to have it again, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight, then follow the reheating instructions.
To reheat the frozen vegan manicotti, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake uncovered for 60-70 minutes or until heated through. If you are reheating from the fridge, simply place the manicotti into a preheated oven for around 20-25 minutes or until heated through.
The ricotta filling may become slightly dry in the refrigeration process. To prevent this, drizzle some olive oil on top of the manicotti before storage. You could also consider adding an extra layer of tomato sauce to prevent any dryness.
In terms of serving sizes, this recipe yields around six to eight servings so you will likely have plenty of leftovers for later. Keep note that any leftover sauce or strewn spinach could wilt over time so reheating will soften them more.
With these make-ahead and reheating options available, this vegan manicotti recipe is ideal for busy schedules while keeping things fresh like straight out from the oven.
Tips for Perfect Results
Creating the perfect vegan manicotti can take some practice to achieve, especially if you’re new to the vegan cooking world. Here are some tips to help you create a delicious and satisfying dish every time:
1. Use High-Quality Ingredient
When making vegan manicotti, using high-quality ingredients can make a big difference. Use fresh vegetables where possible and consider handpicking spices and herbs for the dish.
2. Don’t Overcook The Manicotti Pasta
Overcooking the manicotti pasta can make it too soft, which makes it difficult to stuff, or it could break during cooking. Boil the noodles until they are about 80% cook then allow them to cool down before stuffing.
3. Stuff Manicotti With A Spoon Or Piping Bag
Stuffing food is an art, and when it comes to vegan manicotti, the technique is crucial for creating a visually appealing and delicious dish. Use a spoon or piping bag to fill in each shell neatly.
4. Reserve Some Tomato Sauce for Topping
Remember to reserve some tomato sauce aside to drizzle on top of your stuffed shells before baking them in the oven. This will keep your manicotti from drying out.
5. Don’t Shy Away From Seasoning
Vegan food doesn’t have to be bland, so don’t shy away from seasoning your tofu ricotta filling with salt, black pepper, oregano, garlic powder or nutritional yeast flakes for added flavor.
6. Let The Manicotti Cool Before Serving
It can be tempting to dig into your hot fluffy vegan manicotti right away after pulling out of the oven; however, patience will be rewarded with better texture and taste.
7. Consider Pairing With A Salad or Garlic Bread
Add a salad as a side dish or serve some freshly made garlic bread to amplify your vegan cannelloni recipe.
By following these tips along with the recipe detailed steps, you’ll create delicious and straightforward vegan manicotti every time.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this vegan manicotti recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make option for anyone looking to enjoy a tasty meal without animal products. With its creamy tofu ricotta filling and flavorful tomato sauce, this dish is sure to satisfy even the most discerning palates. Plus, with options for gluten-free and dairy-free versions, it can be enjoyed by almost anyone.
By substituting firm tofu for traditional ricotta cheese, this recipe is not only kinder to animals but also lower in unhealthy saturated fats. The inclusion of nutritional yeast flakes adds a cheesy flavor without any actual cheese, making it a perfect vegan alternative.
Whether you’ve been following a plant-based diet or simply looking to switch up your usual dinner routine, this easy vegan manicotti recipe is definitely worth trying. Give it a go and impress your friends and family with your culinary skills while supporting animal welfare at the same time.
Vegan Manicotti Recipe
Ingredients
- 14 ounces firm tofu
- 10 ounces frozen spinach
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast flakes
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 manicotti
- 16 ounces tomato sauce
Instructions
- De-thaw spinach in microwave and drain spinach.
- Put tofu (without water) in bowl. Add spinach, pepper, yeast flakes, oregano, garlic, and 1 TBS oil. Mix until smooth.
- In cooked manicotti shells, put mixture inside (can use a plastic bag with tip cut to make it easier!).
- Put half the sauce into a pan, then lay down manicotti, then top with remaining sauce.
- Cover and bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove cover and bake another 10-15 minutes.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
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Jolo is a talented chef and food blogger with a passion for vegan and Caribbean flavors. From savory vegetarian dishes to tropical smoothies, Jolo’s Kitchen has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for meat-free meals or creative Caribbean recipes, Jolo’s Kitchen is the perfect place for you.