There is such thing as a LOW-CARB CRUISE LINE. Hold the phone.
A Royal Caribbean cruise. Named after carbs (or the lack there-of). I die.
So who wants to share a room?
2015 will go down as the year that officially killed carbs. Gluten is the new Voldemort. Unless you're a muffin or a donut or a bundt cake made with almond or coconut flour, YOU CAN'T SIT WITH US.
Nut flours are in, glutenous flours are out. Whether you're allergic or just anti, it's clear as day that gluten just isn't cool anymore. Toss it in the pile with neon scrunchies and pogs and Pokemon and other things we thought were totally rad until they just weren't anymore. Poor things.
If I were to create a high-carb cruise line, would you guys set sail with me? Maybe I could partner with the Disney Cruise and make all the characters walk around wearing necklaces made of Cheerios.
Let's tackle the real questions here. Why is wheat so vilified? Who is this terrorist they call gluten and why is he making everyone so pissed?
You see, in order to boost yields and disease resistance, breeders created hybrid varieties of wheat. There are new strands of wheat and there are strands that contain more gluten than others, which some say makes the wheat more difficult to digest. Now before everyone gets up in arms about hybridization and GMO's, please realize that efforts such as these are often a result of having to feed the eight billion people on this planet efficiently and effectively. We're always working to minimize world hunger and feed our rapidly growing population, a huge issue that we tend to forget about.
As a health professional, I feel it's my duty to shed light on that perspective. I know I'm going to get hate mail for saying this (I will be deleting any negative commentary left on this post, so please respect that this is a positive space), but we cannot realistically feed that many people with organic broccoli (though that would be pretty great).
While celiac disease has increased in the last 50 years, it is by no means proven to be the result of wheat hybridization. Wheat has been part of the global diet for thousands of years and breeders have to constantly work on improving its integrity and sustainability. This is a science that has quite literally saved thousands of lives when it comes to combatting world hunger.
I don't work for the wheat association. Is that even a thing? I just like whole grains, as does my brain. Do we eat too much refined white flour? Yes. Do we eat too much refined white sugar? Hell yes. Is the protein found in wheat, rye, and barley making us all fat, sick, and ugly? I think not.
I know there are hundreds of books out there demonizing gluten and scaring you into eating solely grass-fed beef and coconut oil. Make informed decisions. Avoid scare tactics. I'm sure in ten years there will be a fun new food to hate on!
So who wants to talk about pasta?? And pasta sowwwce.
You guys. This is one of the best recipes I've ever made. I actually, physically smiled after the first bite. A BIG TOOTHY GRIN. My dentist would be proud.
You bake the uncooked pasta in the oven so it's such a breeze to make. When I say you absolutely have to make this, I mean it. The tofu and hummus mixture is from my Skinny Vegan Lasagna, which multiple readers have named the best lasagna they've ever had, meat and dairy versions included! You'd never in a million years know you were eating tofu. It tastes more like ricotta than ricotta does.
Brown rice noodles, spaghetti squash, zoodles, roodles, moodles, whatever. Just make it happen.
Print
Baked Spaghetti with Kale, Mushrooms, & Tofu Ricotta
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6-8 1x
- Category: Entree
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Packed with protein and fiber, this deliciously creamy whole grain baked spaghetti will have the whole family falling in love!
Ingredients
For the tofu ricotta:
- 16oz extra firm tofu, drained and pressed
- ½ cup roasted garlic hummus
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- Pepper, to taste
For the baked spaghetti:
- 12oz whole grain spaghetti, uncooked
- 32 oz jar of pasta sauce
- 2 ½ cups water
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- ½ bunch lacinto kale, chopped
Instructions
- Drain and press tofu. (If you don't have a tofu press, wrap tofu in a kitchen towel and place on a plate. Cover with a couple heavy objects, like a book or two. Let sit for 30 minutes to an hour.)
- Crumble pressed tofu and place in a medium bowl. Add hummus, nutritional yeast, garlic, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to combine mixture. It should be moist and resemble ricotta cheese. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350F. Spray an 9x13in glass baking dish with cooking spray. Place uncooked noodles in the pan, criss crossed. I broke most of the noodles in half. It will look like a messy layer of noodles, and that's ok!
- Cover noodles evenly with the jar of pasta sauce followed by the water. It will look soupy--that's normal.
- Top with mushrooms and kale, then sprinkle small handfuls of the "ricotta" evenly on top. Season with a dash of salt and pepper.
- Bake for 40 minutes. Remove from oven and allow pasta to "set" for 15 minutes prior to serving.
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
you are so insensitive to those whom are gluten intolerant, like Hagrid and Professor Sprout.
I've made it my mission to leave the most random, useless comments here.
Oh it looks delish. Spaghetti = delish. I'll make this with those worm zero calorie noodles.
Alexis says
Your comments slay me. Like I feel like I can't even fathom a worthy response. I just, like, luh you. Bring on da worms.
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
you are so insensitive to those whom are gluten intolerant, like Hagrid and Professor Sprout.
I've made it my mission to leave the most random, useless comments here.
Oh it looks delish. Spaghetti = delish. I'll make this with those worm zero calorie noodles.
Alexis says
Your comments slay me. Like I feel like I can't even fathom a worthy response. I just, like, luh you. Bring on da worms.
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
I've surprisingly never baked spaghetti before.. thanks for the inspiration - it's definitely something I must try!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
I've surprisingly never baked spaghetti before.. thanks for the inspiration - it's definitely something I must try!
Rebecca Lwin says
Alexis, you slay me with your awesome wit! I LOL'd while consuming my steel-cut oats this morning, causing my children to look up from their equally high-carb and probably gluten-containing breakfasts and ask me what's so funny. But seriously, you make a powerful and compelling point. I live in a country where food security is not a given, and probably 33% of the population lives on less than $2 a day. They don't have the luxury of wondering whether gluten is making them fat, sick, & ugly… they just want food in theirs and their kids bellies. I would even venture to say that our obsession with gluten (-free) is an FWP. So… I made your excellent pasta this afternoon and can hardly wait to dive into it tonight! Thanks for another amazing recipe and amazing post. You rock!
★★★★★
Alexis says
Bahahahaha speaking of funny...YOUR comment made me LOL! I have the best picture in my head of your kids looking up from their oh so glutenny breakfasts. I hope you loved the pasta in all its glutenous glory! Wow, so much alliteration going on.
Rebecca Lwin says
Alexis, you slay me with your awesome wit! I LOL'd while consuming my steel-cut oats this morning, causing my children to look up from their equally high-carb and probably gluten-containing breakfasts and ask me what's so funny. But seriously, you make a powerful and compelling point. I live in a country where food security is not a given, and probably 33% of the population lives on less than $2 a day. They don't have the luxury of wondering whether gluten is making them fat, sick, & ugly… they just want food in theirs and their kids bellies. I would even venture to say that our obsession with gluten (-free) is an FWP. So… I made your excellent pasta this afternoon and can hardly wait to dive into it tonight! Thanks for another amazing recipe and amazing post. You rock!
★★★★★
Alexis says
Bahahahaha speaking of funny...YOUR comment made me LOL! I have the best picture in my head of your kids looking up from their oh so glutenny breakfasts. I hope you loved the pasta in all its glutenous glory! Wow, so much alliteration going on.
Chelsea @ Chelsea's Healthy Kitchen says
THANK YOU for talking about gluten on here. Hopefully some people who are confused will read it and have things cleared up for them. I hate seeing wheat so hated upon when the rationale behind it isn't even true!
On another note, this looks fab!
Chelsea @ Chelsea's Healthy Kitchen says
THANK YOU for talking about gluten on here. Hopefully some people who are confused will read it and have things cleared up for them. I hate seeing wheat so hated upon when the rationale behind it isn't even true!
On another note, this looks fab!
Erica {Coffee & Quinoa} says
A low carb cruise line?! Sounds like my nightmare vacation! Whole grains FTW.
Erica {Coffee & Quinoa} says
A low carb cruise line?! Sounds like my nightmare vacation! Whole grains FTW.
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
You basically read my mind with this post. I feel the exact same way about the new grain hating trend. Unless you have a REAL allergy then it just doesn't make sense to me. Whole grains are the shiz!!
Which is why I happen to find this recipe humbelievably insanely delicious. Pinning to try very soon!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
You basically read my mind with this post. I feel the exact same way about the new grain hating trend. Unless you have a REAL allergy then it just doesn't make sense to me. Whole grains are the shiz!!
Which is why I happen to find this recipe humbelievably insanely delicious. Pinning to try very soon!
Marisa @ Uproot from Oregon says
Love that you used uncooked noodleys and celebrate gluten. HIgh fives for whole grains and tofu ricotta and delicious ideas!!
Marisa @ Uproot from Oregon says
Love that you used uncooked noodleys and celebrate gluten. HIgh fives for whole grains and tofu ricotta and delicious ideas!!
Addie Martanovic says
As if I didn't already put hummus into literally everything and anything I eat, now I have an excuse to eat it with pasta! Yum! Can't wait to try this creative recipe 🙂
Addie Martanovic says
As if I didn't already put hummus into literally everything and anything I eat, now I have an excuse to eat it with pasta! Yum! Can't wait to try this creative recipe 🙂
Amanda F says
I honestly get really sad when I don't have some kind of carbs. Especially when I run a lot. My body needs them to function. While everyone is going Paleo, I'm going to eat my oatmeal with a giant smile on my face! Somethings don't work for some people, but wheat has been around forever (and for the matter so has pasta). If it works for you, go for it. I, however, enjoy my glutenous beer and will continue to do so... in moderation of course 😉
This looks amazing! And the tofu ricotta has me super intrigued.
Amanda F says
I honestly get really sad when I don't have some kind of carbs. Especially when I run a lot. My body needs them to function. While everyone is going Paleo, I'm going to eat my oatmeal with a giant smile on my face! Somethings don't work for some people, but wheat has been around forever (and for the matter so has pasta). If it works for you, go for it. I, however, enjoy my glutenous beer and will continue to do so... in moderation of course 😉
This looks amazing! And the tofu ricotta has me super intrigued.
Shay says
I love you!!! The lasagna filling is the bomb...can't wait to try this!!! And like She Rocks, I will be having some good Italian bread with it!!! 🙂
Shay says
I love you!!! The lasagna filling is the bomb...can't wait to try this!!! And like She Rocks, I will be having some good Italian bread with it!!! 🙂
Alysia @ Slim Sanity says
LOL, pogs. I don't remember the last time I thought about those. Loving this recipe! I made pasta for our lunches this week. I haven't made pasta in FOREVER. I realized I need to make it more often!
Alysia @ Slim Sanity says
LOL, pogs. I don't remember the last time I thought about those. Loving this recipe! I made pasta for our lunches this week. I haven't made pasta in FOREVER. I realized I need to make it more often!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
You better believe that I WILL be making this!!! 🙂
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
You better believe that I WILL be making this!!! 🙂
Allie @ Running Economy says
I would totally go on your high-carb cruise. Give me ALL THE CARBS, all the time. I cannot wait to make this!
Alexis says
Can I come with you?!
Allie @ Running Economy says
I would totally go on your high-carb cruise. Give me ALL THE CARBS, all the time. I cannot wait to make this!
Alexis says
Can I come with you?!
Julia says
Love this, lady! Couldn't have said any of it better. Thank you for the opportunity of shoving my face into a delicious casserole dish with no repercussions 😀
Alexis says
You are so welcome, my dear. I see some gluten-free baked spaghetti in your near future!! With a glass of kombucha on the side, obvi.
Julia says
Love this, lady! Couldn't have said any of it better. Thank you for the opportunity of shoving my face into a delicious casserole dish with no repercussions 😀
Alexis says
You are so welcome, my dear. I see some gluten-free baked spaghetti in your near future!! With a glass of kombucha on the side, obvi.
Kelly @ Eat the Gains says
Such a good post! I was once that person afraid to eat wheat and other gluten containing foods as I was paleo for almost 2 years (after I was a vegetarian for 5!!). I soon realized that I was denying myself some of my favorite things (hummus, beans, greek yogurt...). I now just focus on eating whole foods and enjoy what I like and makes me feel good (ezekial bread, hummus, and what not). Moderation is definitely something that we need to start to preach.
Alexis says
Man oh man, you went from paleo to the veg life? Quite a switch there! I agree--focusing no whole foods is always best 🙂 Good for you!
Kelly @ Eat the Gains says
well actually pescartarian to paleo and now just focusing on whole foods. feels so good 🙂
Kelly @ Eat the Gains says
Such a good post! I was once that person afraid to eat wheat and other gluten containing foods as I was paleo for almost 2 years (after I was a vegetarian for 5!!). I soon realized that I was denying myself some of my favorite things (hummus, beans, greek yogurt...). I now just focus on eating whole foods and enjoy what I like and makes me feel good (ezekial bread, hummus, and what not). Moderation is definitely something that we need to start to preach.
Alexis says
Man oh man, you went from paleo to the veg life? Quite a switch there! I agree--focusing no whole foods is always best 🙂 Good for you!
Kelly @ Eat the Gains says
well actually pescartarian to paleo and now just focusing on whole foods. feels so good 🙂
Marie says
Poor gluten. It gets such a bad reputation. I would be sick and fat if these scare tactics were true. Pasta will always be welcome in my belly, especially the ones loaded with tofu, kale and mushrooms, YUM!
Alexis says
Iknowright?! Pasta belly = the best kind of belly.
Marie says
Poor gluten. It gets such a bad reputation. I would be sick and fat if these scare tactics were true. Pasta will always be welcome in my belly, especially the ones loaded with tofu, kale and mushrooms, YUM!
Alexis says
Iknowright?! Pasta belly = the best kind of belly.
Ang @ Nutty for Life says
POKEMON ARE STILL TOTALLY COOL. Not that I secretly love when I find a random card from back in the day around the house or anything.......
I think this looks so tasty! Pasta is the bee's knees.
Alexis says
Bahahah major LOLz over here.
Ang @ Nutty for Life says
POKEMON ARE STILL TOTALLY COOL. Not that I secretly love when I find a random card from back in the day around the house or anything.......
I think this looks so tasty! Pasta is the bee's knees.
Alexis says
Bahahah major LOLz over here.
Robyn @thereallife_RD says
Praise hand thrashing around obnoxiously at you telling people gluten will not make then die.
Plus, these recipe looks amazing and absolutely freezer friendly! I'm digging it.
Robyn @thereallife_RD says
ahhh lawdy, ignore my fast fingers and multiple grammatical errors in the above comment
Alexis says
I fully welcome your grammatical errors 🙂 You need this in your life!!
Robyn @thereallife_RD says
Praise hand thrashing around obnoxiously at you telling people gluten will not make then die.
Plus, these recipe looks amazing and absolutely freezer friendly! I'm digging it.
Robyn @thereallife_RD says
ahhh lawdy, ignore my fast fingers and multiple grammatical errors in the above comment
Alexis says
I fully welcome your grammatical errors 🙂 You need this in your life!!
Georgie says
Thank you thank you thank you! I'm all about avoiding overly processed foods, but I just can't handle the scare tactics some books and programs preach. It's important to know your body, what it likes and what it doesn't, but just because someone else doesn't do gluten or grains doesn't mean they are evil for you.
If you CAN eat pasta that's a cause for celebration in my book. I wish the food industry would preach more moderation and balance instead of straight up slashing entire food groups. *end rant*
Alexis says
EXACTLY. If you can tolerate it and it has nutritional value, why not?!
Georgie says
Thank you thank you thank you! I'm all about avoiding overly processed foods, but I just can't handle the scare tactics some books and programs preach. It's important to know your body, what it likes and what it doesn't, but just because someone else doesn't do gluten or grains doesn't mean they are evil for you.
If you CAN eat pasta that's a cause for celebration in my book. I wish the food industry would preach more moderation and balance instead of straight up slashing entire food groups. *end rant*
Alexis says
EXACTLY. If you can tolerate it and it has nutritional value, why not?!
She Rocks Fitness says
Nom Nom! That looks so good and perfect for this rainy cold and dreary day in Houston...I'm coming over and I promise to bring the wine and a really good loaf of crispy Italian bread...BRING IT CARBS!
Alexis says
It's been freezing rain over in these parts as well...please bring a bottle or four of wine thank yewwwww.
She Rocks Fitness says
Nom Nom! That looks so good and perfect for this rainy cold and dreary day in Houston...I'm coming over and I promise to bring the wine and a really good loaf of crispy Italian bread...BRING IT CARBS!
Alexis says
It's been freezing rain over in these parts as well...please bring a bottle or four of wine thank yewwwww.
Darla says
AAAHHHH! Love the blog entry and the recipe. I make a lentil baked spaghetti that my meat eating brother in law has said is his all time favourite supper!! So, I'll definitely be making this. Just watched "The War on Wheat" and found it quite informative. Here it is.
https://www.cbc.ca/fifth/episodes/
Alexis says
Thanks a bunch, Darla! I love love love the idea of adding lentils!
Darla says
AAAHHHH! Love the blog entry and the recipe. I make a lentil baked spaghetti that my meat eating brother in law has said is his all time favourite supper!! So, I'll definitely be making this. Just watched "The War on Wheat" and found it quite informative. Here it is.
https://www.cbc.ca/fifth/episodes/
Alexis says
Thanks a bunch, Darla! I love love love the idea of adding lentils!
Dietitian Jess says
Definitely making this- I love pasta, I love tofu, I love vegetables. Done and done. Also thank you for standing up for gluten- it drives me crazy when people tell me how gluten is destroying the planet... there's nothing wrong with a little whole wheat carby goodness 🙂
Alexis says
Please do--it's seriously the bomb.com! (PS I originall wrote Bob.com)
Dietitian Jess says
Definitely making this- I love pasta, I love tofu, I love vegetables. Done and done. Also thank you for standing up for gluten- it drives me crazy when people tell me how gluten is destroying the planet... there's nothing wrong with a little whole wheat carby goodness 🙂
Alexis says
Please do--it's seriously the bomb.com! (PS I originall wrote Bob.com)
Erin @ The Almond Eater says
Haha! Gluten is sooooo 2001. Love this dish lady--perfect for dinnaaaa!
Alexis says
Perfect for breakfast, lunch, AND dinnaaa.
Erin @ The Almond Eater says
Haha! Gluten is sooooo 2001. Love this dish lady--perfect for dinnaaaa!
Alexis says
Perfect for breakfast, lunch, AND dinnaaa.
Catherine Jackson says
This is a great post! I agree that our society eats too much refined flour/sugar but whole grains are not bad! I love eating ezekial toast (not gluten-fee) at breakfast and enjoy a good healthy pasta dish every now and then. I can't have cheese though - it makes me feel horrible! So, this tofu ricotta is really interesting! I always see vegan cheeses made from nuts, but I haven't tried tofu yet. Thanks for this delicious recipe!
Alexis says
Ezekiel toast is a staple! You're going to be obsessed with the tofu ricotta--I guarantee it!
Catherine Jackson says
This is a great post! I agree that our society eats too much refined flour/sugar but whole grains are not bad! I love eating ezekial toast (not gluten-fee) at breakfast and enjoy a good healthy pasta dish every now and then. I can't have cheese though - it makes me feel horrible! So, this tofu ricotta is really interesting! I always see vegan cheeses made from nuts, but I haven't tried tofu yet. Thanks for this delicious recipe!
Alexis says
Ezekiel toast is a staple! You're going to be obsessed with the tofu ricotta--I guarantee it!
Maryea {happy healthy mama} says
Great post! It's so easy to jump on a bandwagon and say wheat is the devil. The problem is so many people stop eating wheat and replace it with highly processed gluten-free "products." Those can't be better for your body, right?
Anyway, I don't know what I'm going to do because I have like 72 recipes of yours on my list that I want to make. It's time to get cooking! This looks seriously good!
Alexis says
I couldn't have said it better myself! Promise me that out of the 72 recipes you have on your list you'll start with this one. It's epic. The kids will love it!
Maryea {happy healthy mama} says
Great post! It's so easy to jump on a bandwagon and say wheat is the devil. The problem is so many people stop eating wheat and replace it with highly processed gluten-free "products." Those can't be better for your body, right?
Anyway, I don't know what I'm going to do because I have like 72 recipes of yours on my list that I want to make. It's time to get cooking! This looks seriously good!
Alexis says
I couldn't have said it better myself! Promise me that out of the 72 recipes you have on your list you'll start with this one. It's epic. The kids will love it!