Tofu & Spinach Cannelloni Recipe

Introduction

This Tofu & Spinach Cannelloni is a delicious, plant-based twist on a classic Italian dish. Filled with creamy silken tofu, fresh spinach, and pine nuts, it offers a rich and satisfying flavor that’s perfect for a comforting meal any night of the week.

The image shows a white rectangular baking dish filled with rolled pasta stuffed with a dark green spinach and white cheese mixture. The rolls are arranged in one layer and partially covered with a thick red tomato sauce. A layer of light brown crumb topping is spread evenly on top, giving a crunchy texture. The dish sits on a white marbled surface with some sauce and crumbs scattered around. One of the rolls is pulled out slightly, revealing the layers inside. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes
  • 50g pine nuts, roughly chopped
  • 400g bag spinach
  • Pinch grated nutmeg
  • 349g pack silken tofu
  • 300g pack fresh lasagne sheets
  • 4 tbsp fresh breadcrumbs

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat half the olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and one-third of the garlic, frying for about 4 minutes until softened. Pour in the chopped tomatoes, season with salt and pepper, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens.
  2. Step 2: In a frying pan, heat the remaining half of the olive oil. Add another one-third of the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in half of the pine nuts and the spinach. Cook until the spinach wilts, then drain any excess liquid.
  3. Step 3: Blend the silken tofu until smooth using a food processor or hand blender. Stir the blended tofu into the spinach mixture along with a pinch of grated nutmeg and some black pepper. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
  4. Step 4: Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan/gas mark 6). Pour half of the tomato sauce into a 20 x 30 cm baking dish.
  5. Step 5: Spread the spinach and tofu mixture evenly onto each lasagne sheet, then carefully roll them up. Place the rolls seam-side down on top of the sauce in the dish. Pour the remaining tomato sauce over the top.
  6. Step 6: Bake for 30 minutes until bubbling.
  7. Step 7: Mix the breadcrumbs with the remaining garlic and pine nuts. Sprinkle this mixture over the cannelloni, drizzle with the remaining olive oil, and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the topping is golden and crisp.

Tips & Variations

  • For extra flavor, add a handful of grated vegan cheese on top before baking.
  • Substitute spinach with kale or Swiss chard for a different leafy green taste.
  • Toast the pine nuts lightly before adding for a nuttier flavor.
  • Use gluten-free lasagne sheets to make this dish suitable for gluten intolerance.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in the oven at 180°C (160°C fan) until heated through, about 15-20 minutes. You can also microwave individual portions, but the topping may soften.

How to Serve

The image shows a white rectangular baking dish filled with five rolled pasta tubes standing side by side, each tube layered with green spinach and white cheese filling visible at the ends. The pasta is covered with a thick, textured red tomato sauce on top, which is sprinkled with a crumbly light brown topping, possibly breadcrumbs or cheese. The dish is placed on a white marbled surface, and some sauce is slightly spilled on the sides inside the dish. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use firm tofu instead of silken tofu?

Silken tofu provides a creamy texture that blends smoothly into the filling. Using firm tofu would change the texture and may not blend as well, but you can try blending it thoroughly if silken tofu is unavailable.

Is this dish suitable for freezing?

Yes, you can freeze the baked cannelloni. Allow it to cool completely, then cover tightly with foil and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating in the oven.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Tofu & Spinach Cannelloni Recipe


  • Author: Jack
  • Total Time: 65 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A delicious and nutritious Tofu & Spinach Cannelloni recipe featuring silken tofu blended with fresh spinach and pine nuts, rolled in fresh lasagne sheets, and baked in a rich tomato sauce topped with crunchy garlic and pine nut breadcrumbs. Perfect for a wholesome vegetarian meal packed with protein and flavor.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Tomato Sauce

  • 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped, divided
  • 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes
  • Salt and pepper, to season

For the Filling

  • 50g pine nuts, roughly chopped, divided
  • 400g bag fresh spinach
  • Pinch of grated nutmeg
  • 349g pack silken tofu

Other Ingredients

  • 300g pack fresh lasagne sheets
  • 4 tbsp fresh breadcrumbs

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Tomato Sauce: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and one-third of the finely chopped garlic (1 garlic clove). Fry for about 4 minutes until softened. Pour in the chopped tomatoes, season with salt and pepper, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens.
  2. Cook Spinach and Pine Nuts: Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a frying pan. Add another one-third of the garlic (1 garlic clove) and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add half of the pine nuts (25g) and the fresh spinach, then cook until the spinach wilts. Drain any excess liquid.
  3. Prepare Tofu Filling: Blend the silken tofu in a food processor or with a hand blender until smooth. Stir in the cooked spinach and pine nut mixture, along with a pinch of grated nutmeg and freshly ground black pepper. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
  4. Assemble Cannelloni: Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan) or gas mark 6. Pour half of the tomato sauce into a 20 x 30cm ovenproof dish. Lay out the fresh lasagne sheets and divide the spinach and tofu mixture among them. Roll up each sheet tightly and arrange the rolls seam side down on top of the tomato sauce in the dish. Pour over the remaining tomato sauce.
  5. Prepare and Add Breadcrumb Topping: Mix the fresh breadcrumbs with the remaining one-third of the garlic (1 garlic clove) and the remaining half of the pine nuts (25g). Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the cannelloni. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil.
  6. Bake the Dish: Bake the assembled cannelloni in the preheated oven for 30 minutes until heated through and bubbling. Then bake for an additional 10 minutes to allow the breadcrumb topping to become golden and crisp.

Notes

  • Use fresh lasagne sheets for easier rolling and better texture.
  • Silken tofu provides a smooth, creamy texture in the filling.
  • Spinach should be well drained to avoid excess moisture in the dish.
  • For a nuttier flavor, lightly toast the pine nuts before adding.
  • This dish is naturally vegetarian and low in fat.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Keywords: Tofu cannelloni, spinach cannelloni, vegetarian Italian recipe, baked pasta, tofu recipe, healthy comfort food, pine nuts, tomato sauce

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating