ABOUT THE RECIPE:
Pantry Polenta Lasagna is a very flavorful vegan and gluten-free casserole that has an Italian flair! It's quick to assemble using mostly pantry ingredients, making it an ideal dish to serve for any family supper.
Makes 4 to 6 Servings
INGREDIENTS:
SAUCE
1 jar (24 to 26 ounces) vegan marinara sauce (or your favorite homemade marinara)
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon tamari or coconut aminos (see note)
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning blend
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper (use ⅛ teaspoon for less spicy)
VEGAN TOFU RICOTTA
1 block (15 to 16 ounces) extra-firm regular tofu (refrigerated tub), drained and broken into chunks (see Chef’s Note and VARIATION)
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon tamari or coconut aminos (see note)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
LASAGNA
1 tube (16 to 18 ounces) very cold, precooked sun-dried tomato, Italian-style or plain, gluten-free polenta, cut into 24 thin slices (see Chef’s Note)
2 cans (4 ounces each) sliced cremini or white button mushrooms, well drained (see Chef’s Note)
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 375° F.
To make the SAUCE, put the vegan marinara sauce, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon tamari, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, and the crushed red pepper into a medium-sized bowl and stir with a large spoon to combine.
To make the VEGAN TOFU RICOTTA, put the tofu, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon tamari, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend, and a few grinds of freshly ground pepper into a medium-sized bowl. Mash to the consistency of ricotta cheese using a potato masher or large fork. (See VARIATION, below.)
Evenly pour one-third of the marinara sauce mixture into the bottom of a 9- x 12-inch or similarly sized casserole dish.
To assemble the LASAGNA, arrange 12 polenta slices in an even layer over the marinara sauce mixture. Top the polenta slices with all of the tofu mixture, spreading it evenly over the polenta slices and gently compressing it with the back of a spoon or spatula. Arrange all of the mushrooms in an even layer over the tofu. Top the mushrooms with one-third of the marinara sauce mixture.
Arrange the remaining 12 polenta slices in an even layer over the marinara sauce layer. Top with the remaining one-third of the marinara sauce mixture, and then sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend over the marinara sauce.
Cover tightly and bake for 35 minutes. Remove the foil and tent it very loosely over the lasagna and bake for an additional 30 to 35 minutes or until the top of the casserole becomes slightly golden.
Put the casserole on a wire rack and let cool for 12 to 15 minutes before cutting it into 12 equal sized squares. Serve 2 to 3 squares per person with a simple green salad or steamed green vegetables on the side.
VARIATION: If preferred, you may prepare CASHEW-WHITE BEAN "CHEESE" in place of the VEGAN TOFU RICOTTA. To do so, put 1 can white beans (about 15-ounces, drained and rinsed), 1/3 cup raw cashews, 1/3 cup water, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend, ¼ teaspoon sea salt, and a few grinds of freshly ground pepper in a blender and process until smooth. Add more water if needed, to achieve a "ricotta" like consistency. Proceed with recipe as directed.
Chef’s note: If preferred, you may use 1½ aseptic packages of extra-firm silken tofu in place of the refrigerated variety. The resulting tofu ricotta will not be as firm, but it will still be quite tasty!
Chef's note: If you are cooking gluten-free, be certain to buy certified gluten-free, tamari and certified gluten-free precooked tubes of polenta to ensure that the ingredients are completely free of gluten.
Chef’s Note: You may use sliced fresh mushrooms in place of the canned variety, if desired. To do so, sauté 8 ounces of freshly sliced mushrooms in 1 teaspoon of olive oil and/or a bit of water, for about 7 minutes, before adding them to the lasagna.
Ingredients
Directions
ABOUT THE RECIPE:
Pantry Polenta Lasagna is a very flavorful vegan and gluten-free casserole that has an Italian flair! It's quick to assemble using mostly pantry ingredients, making it an ideal dish to serve for any family supper.
Makes 4 to 6 Servings
INGREDIENTS:
SAUCE
1 jar (24 to 26 ounces) vegan marinara sauce (or your favorite homemade marinara)
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon tamari or coconut aminos (see note)
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning blend
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper (use ⅛ teaspoon for less spicy)
VEGAN TOFU RICOTTA
1 block (15 to 16 ounces) extra-firm regular tofu (refrigerated tub), drained and broken into chunks (see Chef’s Note and VARIATION)
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon tamari or coconut aminos (see note)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
LASAGNA
1 tube (16 to 18 ounces) very cold, precooked sun-dried tomato, Italian-style or plain, gluten-free polenta, cut into 24 thin slices (see Chef’s Note)
2 cans (4 ounces each) sliced cremini or white button mushrooms, well drained (see Chef’s Note)
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 375° F.
To make the SAUCE, put the vegan marinara sauce, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon tamari, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, and the crushed red pepper into a medium-sized bowl and stir with a large spoon to combine.
To make the VEGAN TOFU RICOTTA, put the tofu, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon tamari, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend, and a few grinds of freshly ground pepper into a medium-sized bowl. Mash to the consistency of ricotta cheese using a potato masher or large fork. (See VARIATION, below.)
Evenly pour one-third of the marinara sauce mixture into the bottom of a 9- x 12-inch or similarly sized casserole dish.
To assemble the LASAGNA, arrange 12 polenta slices in an even layer over the marinara sauce mixture. Top the polenta slices with all of the tofu mixture, spreading it evenly over the polenta slices and gently compressing it with the back of a spoon or spatula. Arrange all of the mushrooms in an even layer over the tofu. Top the mushrooms with one-third of the marinara sauce mixture.
Arrange the remaining 12 polenta slices in an even layer over the marinara sauce layer. Top with the remaining one-third of the marinara sauce mixture, and then sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend over the marinara sauce.
Cover tightly and bake for 35 minutes. Remove the foil and tent it very loosely over the lasagna and bake for an additional 30 to 35 minutes or until the top of the casserole becomes slightly golden.
Put the casserole on a wire rack and let cool for 12 to 15 minutes before cutting it into 12 equal sized squares. Serve 2 to 3 squares per person with a simple green salad or steamed green vegetables on the side.
VARIATION: If preferred, you may prepare CASHEW-WHITE BEAN "CHEESE" in place of the VEGAN TOFU RICOTTA. To do so, put 1 can white beans (about 15-ounces, drained and rinsed), 1/3 cup raw cashews, 1/3 cup water, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend, ¼ teaspoon sea salt, and a few grinds of freshly ground pepper in a blender and process until smooth. Add more water if needed, to achieve a "ricotta" like consistency. Proceed with recipe as directed.
Chef’s note: If preferred, you may use 1½ aseptic packages of extra-firm silken tofu in place of the refrigerated variety. The resulting tofu ricotta will not be as firm, but it will still be quite tasty!
Chef's note: If you are cooking gluten-free, be certain to buy certified gluten-free, tamari and certified gluten-free precooked tubes of polenta to ensure that the ingredients are completely free of gluten.
Chef’s Note: You may use sliced fresh mushrooms in place of the canned variety, if desired. To do so, sauté 8 ounces of freshly sliced mushrooms in 1 teaspoon of olive oil and/or a bit of water, for about 7 minutes, before adding them to the lasagna.
