Ingredients:
1 box lasagna noodles
2 jars spaghetti sauce (you may use less, depending on consistency)
1 can of cannelli beans
3 cups (after cooking) veggies of choice (I like spinach, zucchini, and roasted red peppers)
8-10 oz. shredded mozzerella soy cheese (Daiya, Earth Island, or VeganRella)
Tofu Ricotta Mix:
1 16 oz. tub firm tofu (not silken), pressed and drained
1 X 8 oz. tub vegan cream cheese (either Tofutti or Vegan Gourmet brand are best)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 cloves garlic
3 tablespoons nutritional yeast (optional, but good)
1/2 teaspoon each oregano and basil
1/2 – 1 teaspoon salt, to taste.
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Boil the lasagna noodles in water, lightly salted with a bit of oil to prevent sticking. Drain when al dente (firm but cooked) and let cool. Meanwhile, cook the veggies if raw. I cook them in vegetable broth and a pinch of salt until lightly cooked, then drain. Microwave the soy crumbles according to box directions. Shred your “cheese”. Put the Tofu Ricotta ingredients (except vegan cream cheese) into a food processor. Use the pulse function to keep the coarse texture of the tofu. If adding Tofutti, microwave for 30 seconds to soften. Use a wooden spoon to mix lightly into the blended ricotta mixture. Layer the ingredients in two or three layers, starting with noodles, then sauce, then tofu ricotta, then cannelli beans, then veggies. Repeat. Top it with a layer noodles, sauce and soy cheese. Bake for 40 minutes, covered in tin foil, at 350 degrees. Cook 8 more minutes on boil, with the tin foil removed. Cool slightly, eat and enjoy alone or with garlic bread.
Makes 8 generous servings. Preparation time: 45 minutes, Cooking time: 48 minutes
The nice thing about this recipe is you can use any veggies you like or whatever you have on hand. I like spinach and mushrooms, but it will also be good with any veggies used in Italian cooking, such as zucchini, black olives, eggplant, basil, broccoli, carrots, artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes, etc. Fresh veggies are best, but frozen or canned will work in a pinch.The amount of sauce you will need depends on the thickness of the sauce and your preference. I always use more than 1 jar, but sometimes less than 2. It’s good to have 2 on hand, just in case.You may use less than the full tub of vegan cream cheese. I usually use about 6 oz. I stir it in a little bit at a time until the consistency looks right.