Vegan Pesto and Bechamel Pasta Bake Recipe

This is AH-MAZINGGGGG... so delicious, tasty and filling! This is my Mum's go-to recipe for our family dinners as it makes such a big amount and is quickly "woofed" down by everyone. It also freezes well! I guarantee you will love this :) Enjoy!

prep time: 20 minutes
cook time: 20 minutes

Pasta Layer:
250g pasta of choice (I used wholemeal penne)

Tomato Sauce Layer:
5 tomatoes
1 onion
1 garlic clove
1 tsp mixed herbs
1 tsp brown sugar
1/2 veggie stock cube

Pesto Layer:
2 cups basil leaves
2 cups baby spinach
3 garlic cloves
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/3 cup pine nuts
pinch pepper

White Sauce Layer:
1 cup soy milk
1/3 cup cashews
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon tahini
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons dijon mustard
big pinch salt
big pinch pepper
1 garlic clove

Bread Crumb Layer:
3 slices wholemeal bread
1 tablespoon olive oil
big pinch salt
big pinch pepper

1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees celsius and spray a rectangular casserole dish with oil. Set aside.
2. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and pour the drained pasta into the casserole dish. Set aside.
3. In a blender/processor, blend all "tomato sauce layer" ingredients until smooth. Pour over the pasta and stir until coated. Set aside.
4. Rinse out blender/processor .
5. Blend all "pesto layer" ingredients until smooth and spread evenly into a thin layer over the tomato sauce covered pasta. Set aside.
6. Rinse out blender/processor.
7. Blend all "white sauce layer" ingredients until smooth and spread evenly over the pesto layer. Set aside.
8. Rinse out blender/processor.
9. Pulse the "bread crumb layer" ingredients until a crumb is formed. Spread evenly over the white sauce layer.
10. Cover the bake with foil and place into the oven for 20 minutes. 
11. Remove the foil and bake for an extra couple of minutes until the crumb is golden brown.
12. Serve with salad and enjoy!

The nutrition information above is an approximate guideline.