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Pumpkin Baked Ziti

This Vegan Pumpkin Baked Ziti recipe (from the Veganomicon cookbook) is the perfect easy Thanksgiving Vegetarian main dish. It can even be made ahead of time and baked just before serving!

Course Main
Cuisine Vegetarian
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 8
Calories 443 kcal

Ingredients

  • 3/4 pound uncooked ziti pasta
  • 1 pound yellow onions very thinly sliced
  • 3 Tbsp olive oil plus more for greasing
  • Pinch of baking soda
  • 1 Tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • dash of cayenne pepper
  • 1 15 oz can pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened non-dairy milk
  • Salt / pepper to taste

For the Cashew Ricotta

  • 1 cup raw cashews
  • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt

For the crumbe topping

  • 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs
  • 1/3 cup walnut pieces
  • 3 Tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 1 Tbsp fresh sage finely chopped
  • 1 tsp dried rosemary
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup olive oil

Instructions

  1. Prepare the ziti according to the package direction. Drain and yet aside.

  2. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the caramelized onions: Preheat a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onions, 3 Tbsp olive oil, and a tiny pinch of baking soda (Isa says this will help speed up the caramelization process). Saute, stirring often, for 15 minute or until deeply caramelized. Turn off heat and set aside.

  3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with olive oil.

  4. To make the cashew ricotta: Combine cashews, lemon juice, 2 Tbsp olive oil, garlic cloves, 1 1/2 tsp dried thyme, and 1 1/2 tsp salt in a high speed blender or food processor until a finely chopped mixture is created that looks similar to ricotta.

  5. In a large mixing bowl, stir together cashew ricotta, maple syrup, paprika, thyme, salt, nutmeg, cayenne, pumpkin puree, milk, and black pepper. Add caramelized onions and pasta and stir until completely combined. Transfer to the prepared basking dish and smooth on top.

  6. Prepare the breadcrumbs: Combine bread crumbs, walnuts, nutritional yeast, sage, rosemary, and salt. Drizzle with olive oil and toss so that the oil has completely coated the mixture. Sprinkle crumbs over the casserole.

  7. Bake for 30 minutes, uncovered, or until the crumb is golden brown. Remove from oven, let cool for 10 minutes, and serve.

Nutrition Facts
Pumpkin Baked Ziti
Amount Per Serving
Calories 443
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.