Irresistibly Creamy Vegan Pastitsio: Your New Favorite Comfort Dish

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• ½ cup dry lentils (green or brown)
• ¼ cup chopped walnuts
• 1 ½ cups chopped sweet or yellow onion
• 2 cups chopped fresh tomatoes (about 4 medium tomatoes)
• ½ cup chopped parsley
• 1 ½ cups vegetable broth
• 3 tablespoons tomato sauce
• ½ cup white cooking wine (optional)
• Drizzle of oil or vegetable broth (for sauteing)
• ½ to 1 teaspoon sea salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 pound (454 grams) tube-shaped pasta (gluten-free if needed)
• ½ cup reserved pasta water
• 1 tablespoon tapioca starch (or cornstarch)
• ½ cup dairy-free milk (or ¼ cup vegan butter)
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• 1 ½ cups vegan Parmesan cheese
• 3 cups vegan Bechamel (double the recipe; may have leftovers)