INGREDIENTS:

• 1 container extra-firm tofu
• 5 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• dash of nutmeg
• vidalia onion (or other sweet onion), chopped
• 2 boxes of frozen spinach, or the fresh equivalent
• 3 cloves garlic, 4 if you like garlic
• at least 5 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 large jar spaghetti sauce or fresh made
• 1 box pasta jumbo shells
• salt pepper
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon basil

PREPARATION:

Place 3/4 of the Tofu in a Food Processor or Blender and add 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil, a pinch of Nutmeg, nutritional yeast, and 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt. Blend until smooth. Mash the remaining Tofu into the Blended mixture that resembles Ricotta cheese or cottage cheese. Set aside. Preheat Oven to 350 degrees. Sauté the onion in a little Olive Oil till it becomes translucent, but not browned then add the garlic and sauté for just a minute more. If using frozen spinach just defrost the spinach do not cook. If using fresh spinach steam until the spinach is wilted about 2 minutes in boiling water. Make sure in both instances to squeeze out all of the excess liquid. Add the spinach, onion and seasonings to the Ricotta mixture and set aside. Can be made ahead and refrigerated up to 24 hours.

In a large pot boil the Shells as directed on the package. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool off enough to handle them. Place enough spaghetti sauce on the bottom of an 8 X 12 baking dish just to cover. Stuff the shells with the Ricotta mixture. When you are done stuffing the shells place the rest of the spaghetti sauce over the shells. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Let cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Comments: This is one of my all-time favorite recipes! I serve it regularly and my husband loves it. I've also served it to relatives and friends and it is always well-received. Instead of two boxes of chopped spinach, I use just one and I add a bit more basil & oregano to compensate. Delicious! Thanks Theresa!

-Melissa