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Baked Ricotta Pasta (Dairy-Free)

This Baked Ricotta Pasta is creamy, flavorful and plant-based, with a rich tomato sauce, vegan tofu ricotta and a blend of Italian spices!
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Baking Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 servings

Equipment

  • Skillet
  • Stovetop Pot
  • Blender
  • 8x8-Inch Baking Dish

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta

  • 3 cups dry penne pasta
  • 1 tbsp avocado oil
  • 1 medium white onion
  • 3 medium garlic cloves minced
  • 1 cup vegan pasta sauce
  • ½ tsp pink salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp dried thyme
  • ½ tsp dried tarragon
  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp dried basil
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • ¼ tsp red chili powder
  • 3 tbsp vegan butter

For the Vegan Ricotta Cheese

  • ½ medium lemon juiced
  • 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • ½ block of extra-firm tofu
  • ½ tsp pink salt to taste

Instructions
 

Cook the Pasta

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Fill a stovetop pot with water. Bring it to a boil over high heat.
  • Follow the instructions on the package to cook the pasta. Cook it until it's al dente.
  • Once cooked, drain the water, reserving a few tablespoons of it with the pasta.

Make the Vegan Ricotta Cheese

  • Blend together all ingredients for the tofu ricotta, until it forms a chunky ricotta cheese-like texture.

Put It All Together

  • In a skillet over medium heat, add the avocado oil. When hot, add in the garlic and onion, stirring for a few minutes until the garlic is lightly browned and the onions are translucent.
  • Stir in the pasta sauce and all the seasonings, everything except the butter.
  • Lightly grease a baking dish with some avocado oil.
  • Add in the pasta mixture, the cooked pasta, and the ricotta cheese. Mix everything together.
  • Bake for 20 minutes. Then remove the dish from the oven.
  • Mix in the 3 tbsp of vegan butter onto the pasta dish, lightly stirring it around to melt and combine into the baked pasta.
  • Serve this baked pasta hot!

Notes