Terrific Tofu Stuffed Shells Food

TOFU-STUFFED PASTA SHELLS

Steps:

• Cook pasta shells according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a blender, combine the tofu, 2 tablespoons Romano cheese and garlic; cover and process until smooth. (Add 1 tablespoon water if mixture is too thick.) Add spinach; process until blended. Drain shells; stuff with tofu mixture., In a small bowl, combine the tomatoes, tomato sauce and wine. Spread about 1/2 cup sauce in an 11x7-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Arrange stuffed shells over sauce. Top with remaining sauce. , Cover and bake at 350° for 25 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with mozzarella and remaining Romano cheese. Bake 8-10 minutes longer or until shells are heated through and cheese is melted.

TERRIFIC TOFU STUFFED SHELLS

Steps:

• Boil the pasta shells according to the directions on the package.
• When cooked, strain and place in cool water or on wax paper; set aside.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Lightly spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray and spoon approximately 1/2 cup of spaghetti sauce on the bottom of the pan.
• Shred soy mozzarella cheese in a bowl (if not already shredded).
• Add the tofu, soy parmesan, salt, pepper, basil, oregano, parsley, and any additional spices desired.
• Mix until thoroughly combined (the recipe says a hand mixer works great, but I used my hands).
• Stuff each shell with approximately 2 Tbsp of the soy mixture (I used a mellon baller to stuff).
• Place the stuffed shells in the baking pan.
• Drizzle a little of the spaghetti sauce over each shell.
• Cover tightly with foil and bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
• Let rest for 5 minutes and serve.
• Note: This is totally dairy-free if you use vegan soy cheeses; otherwise it contains the milk protein casein.

VEGETARIAN SKILLET STUFFED SHELLS

Steps:

• Cook shells in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until very al dente, about 9 minutes; drain. Run under cold water to stop the cooking; drain again.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over high. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until they release juices, then are dry again and nicely browned, 5-6 minutes; season with black pepper and 1 tsp. salt. Reduce heat to medium, add wine, and cook, stirring, until reduced by half, 1-2 minutes. Add spinach, cover, and cook until beginning to wilt, 1-2 minutes. Uncover and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until spinach is completely wilted and most of the liquid is evaporated, 2-4 minutes more. Transfer mushroom mixture to a large bowl; reserve skillet.
• Cook garlic and butter in reserved skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until garlic is fragrant and beginning to brown, 2-3 minutes. Add marinara sauce and red pepper and bring to a simmer over low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until warmed through, 6-8 minutes.
• While sauce cooks, add ricotta, 3 oz. Parmesan, 2 Tbsp. oregano, and remaining 1/2 tsp. salt to mushroom mixture and stir to combine. Spoon about 2 Tbsp. ricotta mixture into each shell. The shell should be filled to capacity but not overstuffed.
• Nestle stuffed shells into hot sauce in skillet. Cover and cook over medium heat until shells are warmed through, 4-6 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit 5 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan and remaining 1 Tbsp. oregano.

SPINACH, RICOTTA AND TOFU (OPTIONAL) STUFFED SHELLS (OAMC)

Steps:

• Cook pasta shells according to box directions, drain and rinse with cool water. Set aside.
• Sautee onions and garlic over medium, stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent (careful not to burn garlic). Take off of heat and allow to cool off a bit.
• Mash together spinach, tofu, Ricotta cheese, 1 cup Parmesan cheese, eggs, onions and garlic, s&p and nutmeg.
• Fill shells generously, about a heaping tablespoon each. You can modify as you go.
• ***TO FREEZE:*** Put shells on a baking sheet so that they are not touching. Freeze uncovered for about 20 minutes, then toss into a freezer bag. This way they will not stick together.
• To bake shells right away: Preheat oven to 350. Spread a few tablespoons spaghetti sauce on the bottom of a large casserole. Put shells in, filling-side up. Top with remaining sauce and parmesan cheese. Cook covered for 30 minutes and uncovered for 5 or 10 minutes.

STUFFED SHELLS

Steps:

• Finely chop onion. Mince garlic. Drain tomatoes and reserve juice. Coarsely chop tomatoes.
• In a 12-inch skillet cook onion and garlic in oil over moderate heat until softened. Add tomatoes and reserved juice and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, 40 minutes, or until thickened. Stir in vinegar, sugar, and salt and pepper to taste. Remove skillet from heat and cool sauce. Tomato sauce may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered.
• In a 5-quart kettle bring 4 quarts salted water to a boil for shells. In boiling water cook pasta until al dente and drain in a colander.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Drain tofu. Finely chop scallions. In a small bowl lightly beat egg.
• In a food processor blend tofu, scallions, egg, parsley, ricotta, and 1/2 cup mozzarella until smooth. Spread about 1 cup tomato sauce in a baking dish. Fill each pasta shell with about 1 tablespoon cheese mixture and arrange shells in one layer, cheese sides up, over sauce. Pour remaining tomato sauce over shells and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup mozzarella. Bake shells in middle of oven 30 minutes, or until sauce is bubbling and cheese is melted.