This Vegan Casserole is a recipe made with 100% plant-based ingredients, ideal for both vegans and those following a vegetarian or plant-based diet. Quick and easy, it's prepared with a mixture of pan-fried peppers and zucchini, vegan béchamel sauce, grated tofu, and salt.
Finished with breadcrumbs and flaked plant-based butter, it will win everyone over with its golden, fragrant crust and soft, flavorful center. Once ready, you can serve this vegan casserole as a main dish for a family lunch or a vegan-friendly dinner with friends, or you can assemble it in small, individual ramekins and serve it for breakfast, even.
Ingredients
How to Make Vegan Béchamel and Tofu Casserole
To make the vegan casserole, start by preparing the vegan béchamel: pour the extra virgin olive oil and the flour into a heavy-bottomed saucepan, then stir continuously with a wooden spoon until a light roux is formed.
To make the vegan casserole, start by preparing the vegan béchamel: pour the extra virgin olive oil and the flour into a heavy-bottomed saucepan, then stir continuously with a wooden spoon until a light roux is formed.
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Gradually add the soy milk away from the heat, stirring constantly to avoid lumps forming, season with salt and a pinch of nutmeg; then, put it back on the heat and let it cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture begins to thicken. Once finished, turn off the heat and set aside.
Gradually add the soy milk away from the heat, stirring constantly to avoid lumps forming, season with salt and a pinch of nutmeg; then, put it back on the heat and let it cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture begins to thicken. Once finished, turn off the heat and set aside.
Clean the pepper, remove the seeds and the white filaments inside and cut into cubes.
Clean the pepper, remove the seeds and the white filaments inside and cut into cubes.
Trim the zucchini and cut them into cubes the same size as the pepper.
Trim the zucchini and cut them into cubes the same size as the pepper.
Place the diced vegetables in a large pan with a drizzle of oil, season with salt, add a couple of tbsps of water and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender but still crunchy.
Place the diced vegetables in a large pan with a drizzle of oil, season with salt, add a couple of tbsps of water and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender but still crunchy.
Once cooked, transfer the vegetables to a bowl and add the tofu, grated over large holes.
Once cooked, transfer the vegetables to a bowl and add the tofu, grated over large holes.
Pour in the now lukewarm béchamel sauce.
Pour in the now lukewarm béchamel sauce.
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Mix everything well and, if necessary, season with salt.
Mix everything well and, if necessary, season with salt.
Spread the prepared mixture evenly inside a baking dish and sprinkle the surface with breadcrumbs and flakex plant-based butter; then place in a convection oven at 360°F/180°C, with the grilling on, and leave to cook for about 30-40 minutes.
Spread the prepared mixture evenly inside a baking dish and sprinkle the surface with breadcrumbs and flakex plant-based butter; then place in a convection oven at 360°F/180°C, with the grilling on, and leave to cook for about 30-40 minutes.
When the surface is well browned and golden, remove the casserole from the oven and let it settle for a few moments at room temperature.
When the surface is well browned and golden, remove the casserole from the oven and let it settle for a few moments at room temperature.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
FAQs
Should I Serve This Warm or Cold?
For best results, we recommend letting the casserole sit at room temperature for a few minutes after baking. This will make it easier to portion and allow you to fully appreciate its flavor.
What Else Can I Add to This Casserole?
If you like, you can add diced eggplants and cherry tomato wedges, while during the colder months, you can enrich the flan with diced pumpkin or Jerusalem artichoke, cauliflower florets, leeks, chard, or other vegetables of your choice. For a more fragrant note, you can spice it all up with curry or paprika powder, or you can add your favorite aromatic herbs, such as rosemary, fresh mint, basil, thyme leaves.
How to Store Any Leftovers
If you have any leftovers, you can store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2 days. When ready to serve, we recommend briefly reheating it in the oven to bring it back to its original heat and fragrance.
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