Broccoli Pesto Pasta Dump & Bake

This creamy Broccoli Pesto Pasta is a true dump-and-bake dinner - no boiling, no pans, just rich, cozy, garlicky comfort straight from the oven. It’s the perfect easy vegan meal for busy nights when you still want something indulgent and satisfying. 💚

Ingredients-

For the Bake:

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• ½ yellow onion, diced

 • 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 block firm tofu, pressed and cubed

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp oregano

• 1 tsp onion powder

• Salt & pepper, to taste

• 1 lb (4 cups) pasta of choice, uncooked

• 1 can full-fat coconut milk

• 1 cup vegetable stock

• 1 ½ cups broccoli, chopped

• 1 ½ cups vegan mozzarella (½ cup mixed in, 1 cup for topping)

 • 1 cup vegan pesto ** (SEE BELOW)

For the Vegan Pesto:

• ½ cup cashews, soaked 10 minutes in hot water & drained

• 1 cup fresh spinach

• 1 cup fresh basil

• ¼ cup olive oil

 • ¼ cup water

• 1 clove garlic

• 2 tbsp nutritional yeast

• Juice of ½ lemon

• Pinch of salt

Directions-

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

2. Blend all pesto ingredients until completely smooth and set aside.

3. Add olive oil and diced onion directly to the baking dish and stir to coat the onions in the oil. Add the cubed tofu, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, onion powder, salt, and pepper and toss everything together right in the dish until the tofu is evenly coated. Stir in the minced garlic.

4. Add the uncooked pasta and spread it out evenly across the dish.

5. Pour in the coconut milk, vegetable stock, and vegan pesto, then stir well so the pasta is fully coated and mostly submerged in the sauce.

6. Add the chopped broccoli and ½ cup of the vegan mozzarella.

7. Cover tightly with a lid or foil and bake for 40–45 minutes, until the pasta is tender and the sauce is bubbling.

8. Remove the lid/foil, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup vegan mozzarella over the top, then broil for 2–3 minutes until melted and golden.

9. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving so the sauce thickens and sets. Enjoy!