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Mexican Pasta Bake

May 23, 2012 by epicureanvegan

Mexican Pasta Bake -- Epicurean VeganAs you may recall, a few months ago, I had decided to give up wheat and soy . . . yeah, uh, the soy part has been surprisingly easy. It’s the wheat part. I don’t know how you gluten-free folks do it! Especially if you’re vegan and gluten-free! I’ve certainly laid off of it, but there’s just no way I could swear off of it for good. As for soy, I’ll have the occasional miso or Tofutti sour cream. Otherwise, it’s a no-soy zone for me. For this meal, I broke all my rules by using regular pasta, Boca crumbles, and Tofutti sour cream. *GASP* Yes, I fudged and it was damn good. This creamy, spicy casserole was delicious and I’m thrilled with the results.

INGREDIENTS:
13.25 oz pkg penne pasta
1 Tbs olive oil (I used chipotle-flavored)
1 bag Boca crumbles, or other ground “meat” (Half a bag would probably be plenty)
2 C mushrooms, sliced
1 med zucchini, sliced, then quartered
2-3 C kale, chopped 
Sauce:
1 10-oz can Rotel Original with diced tomatoes & green chilies
Seasoning packet (either for tacos, burritos, or fajitas)
1/2 C vegan sour cream
1/4 C nutritional yeast
1/4 C almond milk
1/2 C + some for sprinkling on the top vegan cheddar 
The rest: (optional toppings)
Guacamole, or diced avocados, black olives, sliced green onion, fresh cilantro

Mexican Pasta Bake -- Epicurean Vegan

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 375. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and add the Boca crumbles; cook for 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms and zucchini and cook 7-10 minutes, or until the veggies are tender. Stir in the kale and cook until it softens and wilts.

Mexican Pasta Bake -- Epicurean Vegan

Meanwhile, whisk together the sauce ingredients in a medium bowl.

Mexican Pasta Bake -- Epicurean Vegan

Return the drained pasta to the pot (or you can use a large mixing bowl) and combine it with both the sauce and the veggie/Boca mixture. Pour it into a 9×13 baking dish and sprinkle some Daiya cheese on top.

Mexican Pasta Bake -- Epicurean Vegan

Cover and bake for 20 minutes. I made some guacamole, so I added a dollop on top with some green onion. Enjoy!

Mexican Pasta Bake -- Epicurean Vegan

Mexican Pasta Bake
 
Print
As you may recall, a few months ago, I had decided to give up wheat and soy . . . yeah, uh, the soy part has been surprisingly easy. It's the wheat part. I don't know how you gluten-free folks do it! Especially if you're vegan and gluten-free! I've certainly laid off of it, but there's just no way I could swear off of it for good. As for soy, I'll have the occasional miso or Tofutti sour cream. Otherwise, it's a no-soy zone for me. For this meal, I broke all my rules by using regular pasta, Boca crumbles, and Tofutti sour cream. *GASP* Yes, I fudged and it was damn good. This creamy, spicy casserole was delicious and I'm thrilled with the results.
Author: Epicurean Vegan
Ingredients
  • 13.25 oz pkg penne pasta
  • 1 Tbs olive oil (I used chipotle-flavored)
  • 1 bag Boca crumbles, or other ground "meat" (Half a bag would probably be plenty)
  • 2 C mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 med zucchini, sliced, then quartered
  • 2-3 C kale, chopped
  • Sauce:
  • 1 10-oz can Rotel Original with diced tomatoes & green chilies
  • Seasoning packet (either for tacos, burritos, or fajitas)
  • ½ C vegan sour cream
  • ¼ C nutritional yeast
  • ¼ C almond milk
  • ½ C + some for sprinkling on the top vegan cheddar
  • The rest: (optional toppings)
  • Guacamole, or diced avocados, black olives, sliced green onion, fresh cilantro
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 375. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and add the Boca crumbles; cook for 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms and zucchini and cook 7-10 minutes, or until the veggies are tender. Stir in the kale and cook until it softens and wilts.
  2. Meanwhile, whisk together the sauce ingredients in a medium bowl.
  3. Return the drained pasta to the pot (or you can use a large mixing bowl) and combine it with both the sauce and the veggie/Boca mixture. Pour it into a 9x13 baking dish and sprinkle some Daiya cheese on top.
  4. Cover and bake for 20 minutes. I made some guacamole, so I added a dollop on top with some green onion. Enjoy!
3.4.3177

Filed Under: Dinners Tagged With: Boca, Boca Crumbles, daiya, Mexican, Mexican casserole, pasta bake, tofutti, vegan pasta bake

Tortilla Lasagna

January 6, 2012 by epicureanvegan

Tortilla Lasagna -- Epicurean VeganThis was a smash hit with the family. The original recipe is from the Jan/Feb issue of Vegetarian Times, but I made a few changes and added some ingredients, such as green onion, cilantro, and black olives. Personally, if those three ingredients aren’t in a Mexican dish like this, don’t bother. Just saying . . . I really liked using flour tortillas, but feel free to use the corn variety, especially if you’d like to make a gluten-free version.

INGREDIENTS:
6, 8-inch flour tortillas
1 Tbs olive oil
1 small onion, chopped (1 cup)
2 Tbs chili powder (I used 1 Tbs ground cumin)
2 tsp ancho chile powder
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 C strained tomatoes, divided (I used a can of crushed tomatoes)
1, 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 med chayote, peeled and diced or 2 med zucchinis, diced (I went with the zucchinis)
1/2 C fresh or frozen corn kernels
1-1/2 C Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (I used a mix of Daiya cheeses)
Optional ingredients: (totally worth it)
black olives, green onion, guacamole, Tofutti sour cream, salsa

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes. Stir in the spices and garlic, and cook for 30 seconds. Add 1-1/2 cups of the tomatoes, black beans, zucchini, corn, and 1/2 cup of water.  Season with salt and pepper, if you’d like.

Tortilla Lasagna -- Epicurean Vegan

Cover and cook 10 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender. Meanwhile, place the tortillas on a large baking sheet and toast them for 5 minutes, turning once. Then, coat a 2″ deep by 8″ round cake pan with cooking spray and pour 1/4 cup of the tomatoes on the bottom and spread around. Lay one tortilla on the bottom; top with about 3/4 cup of the bean mixture and some cheese.

Tortilla Lasagna -- Epicurean Vegan

Repeat four more times, then top with last tortilla.

Tortilla Lasagna -- Epicurean Vegan

Spread the remaining tomatoes over the top and sprinkle on the last of cheese. If using, top with green onion and black olives.

Tortilla Lasagna -- Epicurean Vegan

Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes, or until it is bubbly and the cheese is melted.

Tortilla Lasagna -- Epicurean Vegan

Tortilla Lasagna -- Epicurean Vegan

Top with some diced avocados or guacamole, fresh cilantro, and a dollop of Tofutti sour cream. Enjoy!

Tortilla Lasagna -- Epicurean Vegan

Tortilla Lasagna
 
Print
This was a smash hit with the family. The original recipe is from the Jan/Feb issue of Vegetarian Times, but I made a few changes and added some ingredients, such as green onion, cilantro, and black olives. Personally, if those three ingredients aren't in a Mexican dish like this, don't bother. Just saying . . . I really liked using flour tortillas, but feel free to use the corn variety, especially if you'd like to make a gluten-free version.
Author: Epicurean Vegan
Ingredients
  • 6, 8-inch flour tortillas
  • 1 Tbs olive oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped (1 cup)
  • 2 Tbs chili powder (I used 1 Tbs ground cumin)
  • 2 tsp ancho chile powder
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 C strained tomatoes, divided (I used a can of crushed tomatoes)
  • 1, 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 med chayote, peeled and diced or 2 med zucchinis, diced (I went with the zucchinis)
  • ½ C fresh or frozen corn kernels
  • 1-1/2 C Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (I used a mix of Daiya cheeses)
  • Optional ingredients: (totally worth it)
  • black olives, green onion, guacamole, Tofutti sour cream, salsa
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 350. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes. Stir in the spices and garlic, and cook for 30 seconds. Add 1-1/2 cups of the tomatoes, black beans, zucchini, corn, and ½ cup of water. Season with salt and pepper, if you'd like.
  2. Cover and cook 10 minutes, or until the zucchini is tender. Meanwhile, place the tortillas on a large baking sheet and toast them for 5 minutes, turning once. Then, coat a 2" deep by 8" round cake pan with cooking spray and pour ¼ cup of the tomatoes on the bottom and spread around. Lay one tortilla on the bottom; top with about ¾ cup of the bean mixture and some cheese.
  3. Repeat four more times, then top with last tortilla.
  4. Spread the remaining tomatoes over the top and sprinkle on the last of cheese. If using, top with green onion and black olives.
  5. Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes, or until it is bubbly and the cheese is melted.
  6. Top with some diced avocados or guacamole, fresh cilantro, and a dollop of Tofutti sour cream. Enjoy!
3.5.3208

Filed Under: Dinners Tagged With: black beans, casserole, daiya, easy, flour tortillas, guacamole, Mexican, Mexican casserole, Mexican lasagna, tofutti

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The Epicurean Vegan is devoted to those wanting to eat healthy, save animals, and reduce their carbon footprint. My decision to go vegan started out as a quest to get healthier, but the more I learned about veganism, the more I realized how damaging the meat and dairy industries are to the environment and, of course, the animals. And it is for these reasons, that I would never go back to eating or wearing animal products. Ever.
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