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5 from 1 vote

Butternut Squash and Vegan Ricotta Stuffed Shells

A fun fall twist on stuffed shells. Loaded with kale, roasted butternut squash, easy vegan ricotta, and quick tomato sauce.

Ingredients

  • 3 c cubed butternut squash
  • 1 T olive oil
  • About 24 shells
  • 2 c curly kale chopped

Quick Tomato Sauce

  • 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
  • 1 T olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 small white onion diced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • pinch of sugar
  • 1 T dried basil

Vegan Ricotta

  • 1.5 c unsalted, blanched almonds
  • 1 T lemon juice
  • 1 T nutritional yeast
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 c + 1/4 c water

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425.
  • Make the ricotta. Place almonds, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, salt, and water in a food processor. Pulse until mostly smooth. Set in fridge until assembly.
  • Roast butternut squash. Toss squash cubes on a baking sheet with one tablespoon of olive oil. Roast for 30 minutes, until just fork tender and slightly browned. Flip after 15 minutes.
  • Make the marinara sauce. In a small sauce pot heat one tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and a pinch of salt and cook for 3-4 minutes. Add garlic to the pan and cook for another 2 minutes, and watch carefully so it doesn’t burn.
  • Add onion and garlic to your blender with the can of diced tomatoes, basil, salt, and sugar. Pulse until it is mostly smooth with some chunks. If you prefer a smooth sauce, blend until completely smooth.
  • Return the tomato sauce to the pot you cooked the onion and garlic in. Simmer for 20-30 minutes while you prepare everything else.
  • Cook shells according to package instructions al dente. Rinse with cold water. Set aside.
  • Spread half of the marinara on the bottom of your oven safe dish. I used the same dutch oven that I cooked my pasta in.
  • In a large bowl, mix together butternut squash, ricotta, and kale until well combined.
  • Scoop about two tablespoons into each shell, then lay them in the baking dish, seam up.
  • Top with the rest of the marinara.
  • Cover and bake for 15 minutes, until warm and bubbly. Enjoy!