Italian Eggplant Casserole with Cashew-Tofu Ricotta

This is my healthy, gluten-free substitute for eggplant parmigiana. Not frying the eggplant saves time and calories, and both of those can be at a premium. Its very saucy and perfect over pasta. Recipe from The Vegan Slow Cooker* by Kathy Hester, reprinted by permission of the author. Photo by Cara Lyons of Cara's Cravings.

Serves: 8

For the Cashew-Tofu Ricotta:

• ½ cup cashews
• ½ cup nutritional yeast (*use gluten-free)
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 package (15 ounces) firm tofu
• ½ cup unsweetened nondairy milk
• ½ to 1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
• Pepper, to taste

Remaining ingredients:

• 1 large eggplant, thinly sliced
• 1 jar (25 ounces) marinara sauce, store bought or homemade
• Cooked pasta (*use gluten-free pasta), for serving

The night before:

To make the ricotta: In a food processor or blender, combine all the ricotta ingredients. Blend until smooth and creamy. Store the ricotta and the sliced eggplant in separate containers in the fridge.

In the morning:

Oil the crock of your slow cooker and pour in one-third of the marinara sauce. Top with half of the eggplant, half of the ricotta, and another one-third of the sauce. Repeat the layers once more, then top with the remaining sauce. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. Serve over the pasta.

If your slow cooker does not run hot and the final product is too watery, prop up the lid on the handle of a wooden spoon and turn the slow cooker to high. In 30 minutes to 1 hour most of the water will evaporate.

Total Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Cooking Time: 6 to 8 hours

Kathy Hester is the author of The Vegan Slow Cooker.* Visit her on the web at Healthy Slow Cooking* and Busy Vegan*. 

• Here are more vegan slow-cooker recipes.

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