Description
Discover a creamy, flavorful Cheese Manicotti recipe made with plant-based cheeses, fresh herbs, and a rich natural tomato sauce. This classic Italian dish features tender pasta tubes stuffed with a luscious cheese filling and baked to bubbly perfection. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this recipe brings warmth and satisfying flavors to your table with minimal effort and maximum taste.
Ingredients
Pasta
- Manicotti pasta tubes (extra-wide, suitable for stuffing)
Cheese Filling
- Plant-based ricotta cheese
- Garlic, minced
- Onion, finely chopped
- Fresh basil, chopped
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
- Natural gelling agent (such as pectin, agar, or carrageenan)
- Plant-based Parmesan cheese, grated
- Olive oil (for sautéing and drizzling)
Tomato Sauce
- Tomato sauce (natural, herb-infused)
- Olive oil (for sautéing garlic and onion if using fresh sauce)
Topping
- Plant-based mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Plant-based Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta Tubes: Cook the manicotti pasta tubes according to the package instructions until just al dente. Drain carefully and set aside to cool, making them easier to handle during filling.
- Make the Cheese Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the plant-based ricotta cheese, sautéed garlic and onion, fresh chopped basil and parsley, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, a pinch of natural gelling agent, and grated plant-based Parmesan cheese. Mix well until the filling is creamy and holds its shape.
- Stuff the Manicotti: Using a piping bag or small spoon, carefully fill each pasta tube with the cheese mixture. Lay the filled tubes on a plate as you go, keeping them ready for assembly.
- Assemble the Dish: Spread a thin layer of natural tomato sauce on the bottom of a baking dish to prevent sticking. Arrange the stuffed manicotti tubes side by side in the dish, then spoon the remaining tomato sauce generously over the top. Sprinkle shredded plant-based mozzarella cheese and additional plant-based Parmesan cheese evenly on top to form a golden, melty crust.
- Bake Until Bubbly: Cover the dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 30 minutes. Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes of baking to allow the cheese topping to brown beautifully. Once bubbly and golden, remove from the oven and let it rest briefly before serving.
Notes
- Cook pasta carefully to avoid overcooking and tearing the tubes during filling.
- Use fresh basil and parsley to enhance the flavor of the filling significantly.
- Use a piping bag for easy and even filling, which helps prevent breaks or spills.
- Let the baked manicotti rest for 5 minutes before serving to settle the filling.
- Customize the tomato sauce by adding herbs or a splash of grape juice for extra flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: manicotti, plant-based cheese, vegan Italian recipe, creamy pasta, baked pasta, tomato sauce natural, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
