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Vegan Baked Ziti
Instructions
1
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2
Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
3
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a generous pinch of salt. Once boiling, add the ziti to the water. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente, 9-10 minutes. Drain the pasta in a large colander, and rinse thoroughly with cold water. While the pasta cooks, prepare the tofu ricotta.
4
Place the tofu, olive oil, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning into the bowl of a food processor or blender. Process on high until very smooth, 2-3 minutes. Adjust olive oil and seasonings to desired consistency and taste.
5
Return the drained ziti to the large pot. Add the marinara sauce and stir to thoroughly coat the pasta.
6
Transfer 1/3 of the sauced pasta to the prepared baking dish. Drop half the tofu ricotta mixture by spoonfuls over the ziti, and gently spread it into an even layer. Repeat with another 1/3 of the ziti and the remaining tofu ricotta. Top with the last 1/3 of ziti. Spoon marinara sauce over the top of the dish. Sprinkle top of dish with vegan Parmesan, if desired.
7
Cover the baking dish with a sheet of aluminum foil.
8
Bake the ziti on middle rack of oven for 40 minutes.
9
Remove the aluminum foil and continue baking until the dish is heated through, about 10 minutes.
10
Check to see that ziti is done. Remove from oven or add time as needed.
11
Allow the ziti to rest for 20 minutes before serving. Scatter fresh basil or parsley on top if you like.
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Tips & Tricks (5)
- Press Your Tofu Thoroughly 🧊Wrap firm tofu in a clean kitchen towel and press with a heavy object for 15-20 minutes to remove excess moisture, ensuring a creamier ricotta texture and better flavor absorption.
- Blend Tofu Ricotta Until Silky 🥄Use a food processor or blender to achieve a completely smooth, creamy consistency for the tofu ricotta mixture—any graininess will be noticeable in the final dish.
- Season the Ricotta Generously 🧂Season your tofu ricotta mixture separately before mixing into the pasta, as the ziti will dilute flavors; taste and adjust salt, lemon juice, and garlic powder to ensure robust seasoning.
- Reserve Pasta Water for Sauce Consistency 💧Save 1 cup of starchy pasta cooking water and add it gradually to your marinara-ricotta mixture to achieve the perfect creamy consistency without drying out the baked pasta.
- Fresh Basil Goes On Last 🌿Add fresh basil leaves after baking or in the final 2 minutes of heat to preserve their vibrant flavor and aroma, preventing them from becoming bitter or dried out.
Recipe Facts
Diet at a Glance
Vegetarian
Low-Cholesterol
Low Fat
My Calorie Intake
Smart Nutrition 
Nutrition Per Serving
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Glycemic Analysis
Glycemic Index
Glycemic Load
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