World Wide Vegan

First let me apologize for the photo. I promise that they taste ten times better than they look here. I took several pictures that looked great but somehow they didn't show up on my computer later on, so I had to re-take pictures from the left-overs, which were pretty well picked over.

I learned to make these tasty shells during my last trip to Italy. Of course at the time I made fresh pasta sauce. But here at home I often don't have that much time so I have substituted bottled sauce for convenience. However I often add sautéed onions and additional garlic and herbs to the bottled sauce.

Tonight I am making this recipe for my son who is not a vegan but who appreciates a great tasting meal regardless.

For my fresh tomato sauce recipe click here.

Italian Stuffed Pasta Shells

10 oz. chopped frozen spinach, thawed
16-20 jumbo pasta shells (suitable for stuffing)
1 lb firm water packed tofu
2 tbs. nutritional yeast (opt.)
2 Tbs. Herbs de Provence (see recipe)
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
5 sun-dried tomatos, diced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups pasta sauce (see recipe for homemade sauce)

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Cook the pasta shells according to package directions until al dente (approximately 6-8 minutes). Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.

Place the spinach in a large mixing bowl or food processor. Add crumbled tofu and remaining ingredients (except for the olive oil and pasta sauce) and mix well.

Coat a 13"x 9" glass baking pan with olive oil.

Fill each pasta shells with approximately 2 tablespoons of the tofu filling and arrange, filling side up, on the prepared baking pan.
Pour the pasta sauce over the top, allowing some of the sauce to dribble to the bottom of the pan.

Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Garnish with Vegan Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve with green salad and garlic bread for a full meal.

If you wish to freeze some, place them in a freezable container, cover and freeze before cooking. Microwave to reheat.

Labels: Italian, pasta, shells, stuffed, Vegan, Vegetarian