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Silken Tofu Pasta Recipe

4.9 from 94 reviews

This Silken Tofu Pasta is a creamy, dairy-free alternative to traditional pasta dishes, using a smooth tofu-based sauce that’s blended with nutritional yeast and Dijon mustard for a cheesy, tangy flavor. Combined with sautéed shallots and sweet peas, it’s a nutritious and satisfying meal perfect for plant-based eaters.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 8 oz (250 g) rigatoni or another kind of short pasta

Sauce

  • 12 oz (350 g) silken tofu
  • 1 medium garlic clove, roughly chopped
  • 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 cup plant-based milk

Vegetables & Seasoning

  • 1 medium shallot, chopped
  • 5 oz (150 g) frozen peas
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, to garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rigatoni according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1-2 cups of pasta water before draining, then set the pasta aside.
  2. Prepare Tofu Sauce: In a blender or food processor, combine silken tofu, chopped garlic, nutritional yeast, and Dijon mustard. Blend for about 1 minute until smooth.
  3. Adjust Sauce Consistency: While blending, pour in the plant-based milk gradually until the sauce is creamy and resembles the consistency of heavy cream. Add more milk if the sauce is too thick.
  4. Sauté Vegetables: Heat half of the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chopped shallot and sauté until translucent. Stir in the frozen peas and cook until they are heated through.
  5. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the pan with the vegetables. Pour the tofu sauce over the pasta and stir well to combine everything evenly. If the mixture seems dry, add some of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
  6. Season and Serve: Taste and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

  • Silken tofu is essential for achieving the smooth, creamy texture of the sauce.
  • If you prefer a cheesier flavor, increase the nutritional yeast slightly.
  • Use gluten-free pasta to adapt this recipe for gluten intolerance.
  • Reserve pasta water is important to adjust sauce consistency and help the sauce adhere to the pasta.
  • Fresh parsley not only adds color but also a fresh herbal note to the dish.

Keywords: silken tofu pasta, vegan pasta recipe, creamy tofu sauce, dairy-free pasta, plant-based dinner, easy weeknight pasta