Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells
Benefits of a Vegan

Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells

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Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells

Butternut squash stuffed shells are the ultimate fall comfort food! Filled with creamy spinach “ricotta,” this recipe is an all-time fan favorite.

Creamy, tangy, and with a caramelized sweetness from roasted butternut squash, this stuffed shells recipe is one you’re sure to love. In lieu of any ricotta, Parmesan, or mozzarella cheese, I stuff them with a light, dairy-free “ricotta.” Made from cashew cream, crumbled tofu, herbs, and lemon zest, it’s rich and flavorful. If your family is squeamish about tofu, just don’t tell them. They’ll never suspect it here.

Favorite Stuffed Shells Recipe

While I often use a marinara sauce with my stuffed shells, in the spirit of fall, I opted for a luscious, creamy cashew sauce. I also stuffed my shells with roasted butternut squash. This recipe has a few steps, but the creamy, cozy pasta & squash are totally worth the effort. Here’s how you make them:

  1. Roast the squash. Make sure to cut it into little cubes that will fit neatly inside the shells!
  2. Make the cashew cream. Blend together the cashews, water, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper.
  3. Make the “ricotta.” Saute the spinach, squeeze out any excess water, and mix it with crumbled tofu, oregano, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, and 1 cup cashew cream.
  4. Cook the pasta. Don’t forget to salt the water!
  5. Stuff the shells. Fill them with generous scoops of the ricotta and a few cubes of squash.
  6. Bake the stuffed shells! Pop them in the oven for 15 minutes, and you’re ready to eat.

We really love this recipe. I hope you do too!

Ingredients

  • 1½ cups cubed butternut squash
  • extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
  • 16 jumbo shells

Cashew cream

  • 1½ cups raw cashews*, see note
  • 1 cup fresh water
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 3½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • freshly ground pepper

Filling

  • 4 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 1 cup crumbled firm tofu
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
  • pinch of red pepper flakes
  • 1 cup cashew cream, from the recipe above
  • sea salt and freshly ground pepper

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