Vegan Baked Gnocchi with Arrabbiata

Ingredients

• 1 cup raw cashews, soaked*
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup refined coconut oil, melted
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 clove garlic
• 2 tbsp tapioca starch or arrowroot starch
• 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, small dice
• 1/2-1 tsp crushed red pepper, to taste
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 tsp salt, more to taste
• 32 oz canned tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 2 lbs gnocchi, cooked to package directions (or use cooked homemade gnocchi)
• 6-8 ramekins, or a 2 quart casserole dish
• minced parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. 1

   Put everything in the blender and blend until...: Put everything in the blender and blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as necessary.

2. 2

   Heat a heavy bottomed pot over medium-low heat...: Heat a heavy bottomed pot over medium-low heat and add the olive oil. Add the onion and cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft, lightly caramelized, and golden.

3. 3

   Add the crushed red pepper, minced garlic, and...: Add the crushed red pepper, minced garlic, and salt and cook for 1 minute.

4. 4

   Add the tomatoes and their juices and the...: Add the tomatoes and their juices and the dried basil. Bring to a simmer and let cook for 15 minutes. Blend with an immersion blender or upright blender (pause to vent as needed), until a smooth sauce is formed.

5. 5

   Preheat the oven to 425 ºF.

6. 6

   Toss the cooked gnocchi in the arrabbiata sauce...: Toss the cooked gnocchi in the arrabbiata sauce and transfer to the casserole dish or ramekins.

7. 7

   Pour the mozzarella sauce over the gnocchi to...: Pour the mozzarella sauce over the gnocchi to generously cover it.

8. 8

   Place the ramekins or casserole dish onto a...: Place the ramekins or casserole dish onto a baking tray to catch spillover.

9. 9

   Bake until the sauce is bubbling and the...: Bake until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese has browned, about 10 minutes if using ramekins, or 15-20 minutes if using a larger casserole dish. Broil at the end for a couple of minutes to increase browning.

10. 10

    Garnish with minced parsley to serve (optional).