Vegan Stuffed Jumbo Shells is a gluten-free classic Italian dish. Vegan-friendly plant-based items are used to prepare this tasty dish. It is a unique, colorful, and healthy recipe. Marinara sauce and fresh spinach are used as fillings for the Vegan Stuffed Jumbo Shells. It is a comfortable vegan meal that appeals to a large crowd. Customize this vegan-friendly dish with different items of your choice. It is the perfect dish for any weekend dinner, holiday party, or heavy lunch. Prepare this dish with basic items already mentioned in detail. Let’s start the recipe without wasting a single minute.
Equipment
- Pot
- Colander
- High-speed food blender
- Spoon
- Baking Tray
Ingredients
- Jumbo Shells 12 ounce
- Marinara sauce, 3cups
Spinach Ricotta
- Raw Cashews 2cups
- Firm Tofu 14ounce
- Nutritional yeast, 1/2 cup
- Fresh Lemon Juice, 1/4 cup
- Water 1/4cup
- Salt 1/2tsp
- Dried Basil 2tsps
- Garlic Powder 1tsp
- Dried Oregano 1/2 tsp
Ingredient Notes
Pasta Shells: We will use jumbo shells to make this dish. You can add any type of shell pasta you prefer.
Marinara sauce: Store-bought or homemade sauce will work best.
Cashews: It is used to provide a creamy texture.
Tofu: I recommend using store-bought, packed extra firm tofu.
Nutritional Yeast: This powder has a cheesy flavor and adds an umami taste to the dish.
Salt: You can add the salt quantity as per your taste buds.
Garlic powder: Fresh chopped garlic will also work well with the recipe. I used store-bought garlic powder to save time.
Basil: Substitute the dried basil with fresh. Alternative herbs also work well, like chopped parsley or oregano.
Instructions
- Set the oven temperature to 350 degrees.
Boiling Process
- Put a large pot of water on a medium-to-high flame.
- Add jumbo shells to this water and simmer it for 9–13 minutes until cooked well.
- Once done, pour in the colander and remove its water.
- Wash the pasta with running water and reserve it.
Preparation of Spinach Ricotta
- Blend the cashews for 5-8 minutes in a high-speed food blender.
- Next, add lemon juice, tofu, nutritional yeast, oregano, salt, basil, garlic powder, and salt to the same blender.
- Blend all ingredients until it gives a creamy texture.
- Extract the excessive water from the spinach and mix it in the blender with the remaining ingredients.
- Combine it for 2-3 minutes or until it mixes well.
Stuffing the Shells
- Fill the boiled jumbo shells with two tablespoons of spinach ricotta mixture.
- Use the same procedure to fill the other shells.
Assembling
- Thoroughly distribute the marinara sauce to the baking tray by using a spoon.
- Place stuffed shells on this baking tray. Top it with leftover marinara sauce.
- Bake it for 20-25 minutes until light brown.
- Shift into a serving dish and enjoy it with any dip.
Tips
You can add grated non-dairy cheese like Violife’s mozzarella or Daiya, which gives a cheesy flavor.
We can fill the shells in an organized way using a piping bag.
Avoid overcooking the pasta; otherwise, it will be soft.
Fresh or frozen spinach works well with this dish.
Add paprika powder, sriracha, or red chili pepper flakes to high the spicy level.
Replace tofu with vegan ricotta cheese.
Notes
Before purchasing the pasta, check the label to ensure it is vegan-friendly.
Storage Information
Refrigerator: Cover the remaining jumbo shells in plastic boxes. Save it in the fridge for 2-5 days.
Freezer: Put the leftovers in zip-lock bags for later use and keep them in the freezer for 1-2 months for later use.
Microwave Oven: Warm the chilled shells in a microwave oven for 4-6 minutes.
FAQs
How do we enjoy these stuffed jumbo shells with spinach?
Serve it with different cuisine options like Nut-free ranch, vegan minestrone soup, tomato cucumber salad, Tahini dressing, and vegan Caesar salad.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
No, this recipe is not gluten-free. You can use gluten-free pasta instead of normal pasta.
What other vegetables do we use as filling?
You can stuff the shells with different vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, carrots, or onions.
Nutritional Facts Per Serving
Amount Per Serving: 1 shell per person
Total calories: 427 kcals
Carbohydrates 52g
Sugar 8g
Protein 21g
Total Fat 18g
Sugar 8g
Fiber 6g
Sodium 954mg
Iron 5mg
