Name: Pesto Ricotta Stuffed Pasta Shells with Pumpkin Alfredo Sauce
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 70 min
Total time: 90 min
Ingredients: 4 tablespoons olive oil, (divided); 1 small yellow onion (, diced); 1 (12-ounce/350-gram) package silken tofu; 1 cup raw cashews, (soaked 4 hours or overnight*); ¼ cup lemon juice; 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast ((or vegan Parmesan)); 2 cloves garlic (, minced); 1 tablespoon light gluten-free miso paste; ½ teaspoon kosher or fine sea salt, or to taste; ½ cup dairy-free basil pesto; 6 ounces frozen spinach, (thawed and squeezed dry); 3½ cups gluten-free vegetable broth; 1 cup canned pumpkin puree ((not pumpkin pie filling)); ½ cup raw cashews, (soaked 4 hours or overnight*); 4 tablespoons dry white wine; 4 tablespoons olive oil; 3 cloves garlic (, minced); ½ teaspoon kosher or fine sea salt; ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika; ½ teaspoon red chili flakes, (or to taste); Freshly ground black pepper (, to taste); 25-30 jumbo gluten-free pasta shells ((~349 g package)); ¼ cup dairy-free basil pesto; Fresh basil (, for serving)

Instructions

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Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish or 12-inch round cast iron skillet.

For the Pesto Spinach Ricotta:

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In a small skillet over medium heat, sauté the onion in 1 tablespoon of olive oil for 2-3 minutes, or until translucent.
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Add silken tofu, cashews, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, garlic, miso, and salt to a food processor. Blend on high until the mixture is smooth, scraping down the sides, as needed. Add the pesto, spinach, and sautéed onions. Pulse just until the spinach and onions are distributed throughout the mixture, but texture remains.
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Add the ricotta to a large piping bag (or medium freezer bag). Twist the bag closed, and secure with a twist tie (or zip shut if it’s a bag).

For the Pumpkin Alfredo Sauce:

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In a blender, combine all the ingredients for the sauce and blend on high until completely smooth.

To Assemble:

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Pour about 3 cups (750 mL) of the pumpkin alfredo sauce into the baking dish. Snip off the end of the bag containing the ricotta so you have a ½-inch opening. Gently squeeze the ricotta into each shell. Place the shells into the sauce as you go. Once the shells are filled, carefully spoon the remaining alfredo sauce over the shells. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for about an hour, or until the center is bubbling and the shells are al dente. When ready to serve, drizzle ¼ cup of pesto over the top and top with fresh basil leaves.

Pesto Ricotta Stuffed Pasta Shells with Pumpkin Alfredo Sauce