Vegan Spinach-Seitan Manicotti with Tofu Ricotta

Inspired by a box of Upton's Naturals Italian Seitan, I created a sumptuous seitan-spinach manicotti with tofu ricotta that will knock your socks off! Imagine spinach wrapped in a creamy tofu ricotta made with fresh basil and complemented by spicy Italian seitan stuffed inside manicotti shells cooked al dente and topped with a delicious tomato sauce. That is Italian cooking the way I like it.

Vegan Spinach-Seitan Manicotti with Tofu Ricotta
Serves 8

Ingredients for Tofu Ricotta

• 12-oz box of silken firm tofu (in aeseptic packaging), sliced
• 1 lb extra firm tofu (in water), sliced
• 1 Tbsp cane sugar
• 1/4 cup soy milk
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 Tbsp lemon juice
• 3 Tbsp fresh basil
• 2 tsp salt

Ingredients for Dish

• 2 boxes of manicotti noodles (will stuff about 20 manicotti shells)
• 1 lb frozen chopped spinach, thawed
• 1 package Upton's Naturals Italian seitan (ground)
• 1 jar spaghetti sauce or tomato sauce 

 Instructions
1. Start off by boiling a large pot of water--big enough for about 20 manicotti noodles. If you don't have a large pot, you may need to use two. Cook manicotti noodles as per the instructions and set aside.

2. Take 1/2 of the spinach and place in paper towels. Squeeze as much water as you can from the spinach. Repeat with the other 1/2. Set aside.

3. Open the package of seitan and separate the crumbles into small pieces and drop into a bowl.

4. Make the tofu ricotta by placing all ingredients (for tofu ricotta) in a blender.  Blend until creamy.

5. Put the tofu ricotta in a large bowl and fold in the spinach and seitan.

6. Preheat oven to 400-degrees. Take two 9 x 13-inch baking dishes and put a thin layer of spaghetti sauce on the bottom of each.

7. Now you are ready to assemble the manicotti. Fill each shell with the tofu ricotta, spinach, and seitan mixture. Place each shell in the baking dishes and top with some of the spaghetti sauce. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Serve with additional spaghetti sauce on top, if desired.

A word about the Upton's Naturals Italian Seitan
This was my first time using Upton's Naturals seitan and frankly, I think I'm in love. The texture of the ground seitan is absolutely perfect and the seasonings are delightful. I also like that their products are Non-GMO and preservative-free. Made of just water, vital wheat gluten, soy sauce, whole wheat flour, garlic, oregano, sea salt, onion, fennel, black pepper, and red pepper, you really can't go wrong with this seitan. Highly recommended.