Creamy Pasta and Tofu
A comforting and easy-to-make creamy pasta dish featuring plant-based tofu for a satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
For the Pasta and Vegetables
- 8 oz dry pasta About half a 16-ounce packet
- 1 medium head broccoli, cut into bite-sized florets About 2 ½ cups
For the Cream Sauce
- 7 oz extra-firm tofu, pressed and cubed About half a 14-ounce block
- ½ tbsp tamari (or soy sauce) To taste
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 1.5 tsp garlic powder
- 1.5 tsp onion powder
- 1.5 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp sesame oil Optional
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp whole wheat pastry flour (or all-purpose flour, or cornstarch)
- 2 cups unsweetened nondairy milk Almond or soy milk works well
- 1 tbsp white miso, dissolved in water 1 tablespoon water for dissolving
- ¾ tsp garlic powder (for the sauce)
- ¾ tsp onion powder (for the sauce)
- ¾ tsp paprika (for the sauce)
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast Optional but recommended
Instructions
Preparation
- Begin by boiling a pot of salted water. Add the dry pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. In the last few minutes of cooking, toss in the broccoli florets, allowing them to soften slightly.
- While the pasta and broccoli are cooking, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil and once heated, add cubed tofu. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until golden brown.
- Add tamari and sprinkle with cornstarch, stirring gently to coat the tofu evenly.
Sauce Preparation
- In a bowl, whisk together the nondairy milk, flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, nutritional yeast, and miso mixture.
- Pour this into the skillet with the tofu. Cook for a few minutes, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens.
Combining
- Drain the pasta and broccoli, then add them to the skillet. Toss everything together, ensuring the creamy sauce coats the pasta beautifully.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to your taste.
Serving
- Divide the creamy pasta and tofu among bowls. Garnish with additional nutritional yeast or fresh herbs, if desired.
- Sit down and enjoy the satisfaction of a homemade meal.
Notes
Press tofu to remove excess moisture for better flavor absorption. Feel free to add herbs or other vegetables for customization. Serve with toasted nuts for added crunch.