This Vegan Manicotti with Tofu Ricotta and Roasted Red Pepper is rich and comforting. It's simple to make, yet so delicious!
This Vegan Manicotti is a fun alternative to lasagna. It is pure comfort food. You'd never know that it is vegan!
It's made with a roasted red pepper and tofu ricotta filling, and topped with marinara sauce and vegan mozzarella.
It's an easy meal to throw together. The whole family will love it.
The filling is so good I made it into a Cheesy Vegan Roasted Red Pepper Dip.
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🧾 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. To see the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Tofu ricotta: Has a creamy texture and cheesy taste. I used homemade tofu ricotta but you could also use store-bought.
- Red bell pepper: Adds a sweet taste. You could use spinach instead, like I did with my Zucchini Lasagna Roll-Ups.
- Olive oil: To roast the red pepper.
- Manicotti noodles: I used brown rice noodles, but you can use your favorite pasta.
- Marinara sauce: Use whatever your favorite is; you could use one with roasted garlic or other additions.
- Vegan mozzarella: Adds cheesy flavor.
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🔪 Instructions
Step 1: First, make the tofu ricotta by mixing firm tofu, nutritional yeast, basil, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt and pepper in a food processor. This can be made the day before.
Step 2: Roast a red pepper by cutting it in half, laying it on a parchment lined baking sheet, and drizzle olive oil on top. Roast in the oven until charred.
Step 3: After it cools, peel most of the skin off. (Some charred skin adds a smoky flavor.) Slice, and mix with tofu ricotta. You can also roast the red pepper the day before to make things easier.
Step 4: Cook manicotti noodles as per instructions. I only cooked mine for 4 minutes because they will be baked later.
Step 5: Fill a baking dish with marinara sauce. Using a piping container, piping bag, or a ziplock bag with the corner snipped off, fill each manicotti noodle with vegan ricotta mixture and place on top of marinara sauce.
Step 6: Top with marinara sauce and shredded vegan mozzarella, if using. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the oven.
💭 Tips
- Since there are a few steps to this recipe, I find it easier to do a couple of the steps ahead of time. The tofu ricotta and roasted red pepper can be made the day before.
- If you're pressed for time, you can use a store-bought roasted red pepper instead of roasting it yourself.
- If you are using a ziplock bag with the corner snipped off, place it in a measuring cup to fill it.
- Before filling the manicotti, you're going to want to push all the filling to one corner of the bag. Use a spatula or other kitchen tool to press on the bag and move it to the corner. This will ensure you're getting all the filling.
- If you have a couple of extra noodles that didn't get filled, you can fill them with shredded vegan mozzarella so they don't go to waste.
- Pour marinara sauce on top of the noodles. The marinara sauce is not only for taste, but the noodles need the moisture so they don't dry out.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. This prevents the noodles from drying out and getting crispy. The aluminum foil acts as a tent to steam the dish.
Can This Be Made Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! You can also make the tofu ricotta and the roasted red pepper in advance and make the manicotti the day after.
I ate the vegan manicotti for about 5 days in a row and it tasted great each time.
🥡 Storage
This recipe will last 4-5 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
❄️ Can I Freeze It?
Yes! Let manicotti cool completely.
For individual portions, place in small freezer bags or airtight container. Freeze up to 3 months.
Vegan Pasta Recipes
🎥 Video
This Vegan Manicotti has a tofu ricotta and roasted red pepper filling that is to die for! The whole family will love this recipe.
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I love these Pyrex baking dishes! I used a 7 ½" x 9 ½" baking dish for this recipe. It's great because it comes with a cover, so I can put it in the fridge without having to switch out the container first.
📋 Recipe
Vegan Manicotti with Tofu Ricotta and Roasted Red Pepper
Equipment
- Piping bag or ziplock bag
Ingredients
Filling
- 1 red pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Whole batch Tofu Ricotta
Manicotti
- 7 ounces manicotti noodles (about 16 noodles- more or less depending upon size of your noodles)
- 2 cups marinara sauce divided
- Chopped basil for garnish
- Shredded vegan mozzarella optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°.
- Filling: Slice red pepper in half. Place on a parchment lined sheet pan. Drizzle olive oil on top and spread around. Roast at 450° for 15-20 minutes, or until charred. Let cool.
- When red pepper is cool enough to handle, peel off the skin. If there's some left on, that's fine, it adds a smoky flavor. Slice and mix with tofu ricotta in a food processor.
- Manicotti: Cook noodles as per instructions. Mine only needed to be cooked 4 minutes (since they'll be baked later).
- Spread 1 cup marinara sauce in a 9"x 13" baking dish. (My baking dish was smaller so I baked the manicotti in 2 batches.)
- Using a piping container, piping bag or a ziplock bag with a corner snipped off, fill each noodle and place on marinara sauce filled baking dish.
- Top with 1 cup marinara sauce. If using, sprinkle shredded vegan mozzarella on top. Cover baking dish with aluminum foil. Bake at 375° for 40 minutes.
- Top with chopped basil and serve.
Nutrition
*Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.
Scott says
I notice you say you're gluten-free. What type of noodles are you using for this recipe? I have been making home made pasta in a pasta maker with Bob's Gluten free flour.
I make a very similar vegan ricotta but instead of the nutritional yeast, which some health experts say to avoid, I add a cup of cashews ground up in the processor then add the tofu, lemon juice, etc.
Willow Moon says
For this recipe I used brown rice noodles.
Kelley Arney says
This is my fiancee and I's FAVORITE favorite FAVORITE dish. When I found this recipe 2 months ago I was excited but I NEVER expected a vegan dish to taste so damn good. YOU NEED TO TRY THIS!!!!
Willow Moon says
Thanks Kelley, I’m so glad both of you like it!
Tracey says
This looks delicious! Can I use jarred roasted red peppers? If so, how many? What's your fav vegan mozzarella to go on top?
Willow Moon says
Yes, you can use a jarred roasted red pepper. It would still be one pepper. I like Follow Your Heart vegan mozzarella. I hope you enjoy the vegan manicotti!