The vegan Broccoli and Cauliflower Cottage Cheese Bake is a great vegan recipe. You do not need any dairy products for making this. The time requirement for making this recipe is only 50 minutes. Along with using plant-based products, this vegan Broccoli and Cauliflower Cottage Cheese Bake feels creamy and fancy. For the cottage cheese, we utilize tofu and some seasoning to make it look like a cheesy baked dish. This recipe works just fine for events, gatherings, family dinners, occasions, lunch, or meal prep. You can have this as a side or utilize the whole thing as the main meal. For the ingredients, this recipe is easily customizable.
STATS:
- Prep duration: 15 minutes
- Cook duration: 35 minutes
- Total duration: 50 minutes
- Number of calories: 280 kcal
- Cuisine: American
- Course: Main or side dish
- Diet: Vegan
- Portion size: 1 cup
- Serving: 4
EQUIPMENT:
- Oven
- Spatula
- 8×8-inch baking dish
- Pot
- Blender
- Mixing bowl
INGREDIENTS:
- Two cups of broccoli florets
- 2 cups cauliflower florets
- 200 g firm & pressed tofu
- Two tbsp nutritional yeast
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsweetened vegan milk
- One tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Half tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp breadcrumbs (optional)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
INGREDIENT NOTES:
BROCCOLI:
- Broccoli easily adds texture to the dish. It is also nutritious, and it includes a nice color to the bake as well. Broccoli becomes soft when it bakes in the oven. Other alternatives for broccoli include spinach or zucchini.
CAULIFLOWER:
- This is the main ingredient, along with broccoli. It can hold the taste of seasonings very nicely. Adding cauliflower will provide volume to the dish. For substitute options, use mushrooms or carrots.
FIRM TOFU:
Utilize the tofu that is firm. Using firm tofu creates the texture and feeling of cottage cheese after blending it. This product keeps the dish completely vegan. You can utilize softer tofu if you need an alternative. Another option is using soaked cashews after blending them.
NUTRITIONAL YEAST:
- Nutritional yeast consists of vitamin B and protein. Adding this will provide a taste similar to cheese. When you need an alternative for this product, use white miso paste, but reduce salt usage.
LEMON JUICE:
- This is an important ingredient since it includes a tangy taste. Tangy taste is normally present in cottage cheese, hence it creates a similar taste to that. Other ideas include white or apple cider vinegar.
OLIVE OIL:
- Oil naturally makes the dish feel richer. Avocado oil is also fine to use instead of olive oil.
VEGAN MILK:
- For blending, this vegan milk is useful in making the tofu mix easily. For an alternative, use water. Vegetable broth can also work just fine.
CORNSTARCH:
- When we add cornstarch to the mixture, it settles it down after it bakes. Tapioca starch is an alternative option to use.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Warm your oven to a temperature of 180°C.
- Steam the cauliflower & broccoli in the pot for 7 minutes only.
- You need them slightly soft in texture.
- After steaming, make sure to take the excess water out of them.
- Then, you will need a blender.
- Include all the ingredients in it except steamed veggies & optional breadcrumbs.
- Blend everything properly till you make a mix similar to cottage cheese.
- Then, take a mixing bowl and include this mixture inside it.
- Stir in the steamed vegetables in that bowl as well.
- Take the baking dish and put some oil in it.
- Put the complete mix into the baking dish.
- If you like breadcrumbs, include them on top.
- You need to bake the dish for 35 minutes.
- After baking, rest for about 5 minutes.
- Then, you can enjoy your tasty and warm dish.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
- Make some vegan cutlets and pair them with this dish.
- Another serving option is to put some of this bake on top of cooked brown rice.
TIPS:
- When gathering all the ingredients for this recipe, make sure to use pressed tofu.
- Do not steam the veggies too much, or they will get soggy.
- When blending the tofu mixture, make sure to blend it to make a similar texture to cottage cheese.
STORAGE INFORMATION:
FRIDGE:
- You will need to keep the baked dish inside a tight vessel. The storage limit is only 4 days.
FREEZER:
- Create portions of this baked dish, then place them for only 1 month.
FAQs:
How can I completely omit oil from this?
- Just utilize vegetable broth or more vegan milk in place of olive oil.
What other veggies will work fine for this dish?
- Spinach, peas, and bell peppers can work just fine in this recipe.
Is it fine to meal prep this?
- To prepare it beforehand, prepare everything in the baking dish. Chill it for one full day and night. Then you can bake this after 24 hours.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:
Protein: 18 grams
Total carbs: 16 g
Calories: 280 kcal
Net carbs: 11 grams
Fiber: 5 g
Fat: 15 grams
Calcium: 220 milligrams
Iron: 3.8 mg
Sodium: 420 milligrams
Potassium: 620 mg
Vitamin A: 2,100 IU
Portion size: 1 cup
Serving: 1
