This soup is a hearty, vegan version of lasagna soup. It's SO filling and perfect to cozy up with after a long day. It's oil-free, can be made gluten-free, and filled with plant protein, calcium and fiber! There's a couple of different ways this soup can be made so be sure to read the entire post.
On the Instant Pot, turn on the sauté setting. Allow it to heat for a minute or two. Add a splash of oil, water or veggie broth then sauté the onions and garlic for about 2 minutes. Then add in peppers and mushrooms and sauté until tender, about 5-7 minutes. Keep using splashes of water or broth to keep the veggies from sticking.
Once the veggies are soft, turn sauté mode off. Add in the pasta sauce, seasonings and water. Stir everything together. Put the lid on the Instant Pot and set the steam release knob to sealing. Then, select the pressure cook or manual setting, switch to low and set for 5 minutes.
If you are using lentil lasagna noodles, read the last paragraph of this blog post to see what I do or cook your pasta according to the directions on the package. Also prep the ricotta. This can all be done while the soup is cooking.
When the cooking has finished, allow it to sit and naturally release for 5 minutes. Then switch the release knob to venting for a quick release of the rest of the steam. Add the noodles and ricotta and stir everything together. Serve immediately or allow it to cool and store for later. It lasts for 3-5 days in the refrigerator and longer in the freezer.
Slow Cooker
Add all the ingredients except the ricotta and noodles to your slow cooker or crock-pot. Cook on medium to high heat for one to two hours. Since it's only vegetables it doesn't take long to cook.
While the soup is cooking prepare the ricotta and cook your lasagna noodles. When the soup is finished cooking, add the noodles and ricotta to the crockpot and stir everything together. Serve immediately or allow it to cool and store for later. It lasts for 3-5 days in the refrigerator and longer in the freezer.
Tofu Ricotta
First press any extra water out of Tofu by wrapping it in a dish cloth and setting something heavy (like a few books) on top of it for 15-20 minutes. There is tofu that comes without the water and I find I don't need to press those.
In a large bowl crumble the tofu up with your hands. Similar to crumbling it for tofu scramble.Mix in nutritional yeast, olive oil and shallots then mix in the rest of the ingredients and you're done! I find mixing with my hands really helps to get the flavors in the tofu, but you could also use a wooden spoon.
Notes
Add the water at the end if you feel it needs to be thinned out. If you are cooking with lentil noodles like I talked about in the last paragraph of the blog post, then add this cup of water when you add the sauce to the pot.
For how to cook this on the stove top read blog post.