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Chili Miso Pasta with Spicy Tofu Crumbles

Chili miso pasta is a fusion you didn’t know you needed! It combines a cheesy, Italian-inspired sauce with some heat and miso, paired with spicy tofu crumbles for an umami-packed weeknight dinner that is going to just blow you away!

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 371 kcal
Course: Main Course , Dinner
Cuisine: Asian , Italian

Ingredients

For the Tofu Crumbles
  • 7 ounces firm or extra firm tofu pressed for 15 minutes, then crumbled
  • 1/2 teaspoon italian herb blend
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 teaspoon sambal oelek or asian chili sauce or gochujang
  • 2 teaspoons Sweet soy sauce or a mix of 1.5 tsp soy sauce and half tsp molasses
  • 1 teaspoon oil
For the Pasta
  • 7 ounces pasta such as farfalle or fetuccini, cooked according to instructions on package.
For the Sauce
  • 2 teaspoons oil divided
  • 5 to 6 ounces sliced mushroom such as cremini or white
  • pinches of salt and pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper flakes or gochugaru pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon italian herb blend or a mix of oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup non-dairy milk or pasta water or stock, divided, or cashew milk for creamier
  • 1 tablespoon yellow or white miso
  • 1/2 cup vegan mozzarella
  • 1/4 cup Vegan Parmesan
  • 1/4 cup Non-Dairy yogurt or non-dairy cream cheese or non-dairy cream, optional for a creamier pasta
  • Black pepper, fresh basil, and more vegan parmesan for garnish

Instructions

Make the tofu crumbles.
    Cup of Yum
  1. Press and crumble the tofu, if you haven’t already, then heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the teaspoon of oil. Once the oil is hot, add the crumbled tofu, Italian herbs, salt, pepper, and sambal oelek and mix well. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, then mix in the sweet soy sauce and continue to cook for another 3 to 5 minutes. If the mixture is not getting crispy enough, you can add in another teaspoon of oil and continue to cook. You can also add in more sweet soy sauce, if you want the color of the tofu to be darker. Cook until most of the tofu is crisp, then transfer to a bowl. 
  2. To bake the tofu instead:  Add the crumbled tofu to a bowl, then mix in all of the remaining tofu crumble ingredients. Add oil and toss to coat. Spread it on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400° F (205° C) for 20 minutes or until crisped to preference. Stir the tofu at 15-minute mark, so the tofu in the center of the baking sheet can move to the outer edges and get cooked evenly. Then remove from the baking sheet and set aside. 
Cook your pasta.
  1. Cook the pasta according to instructions, if you haven't already. (I usually add a little bit of bouillon to the water along with Italian herbs and salt, then boil the pasta in that mixture for some extra flavor in the pasta.) Once the pasta is cooked to preference, drain and rinse with cold water and set aside. (See recipe notes to cook pasta directly with sauce)
Make the sauce. 
  1. Heat the 1 teaspoon of the oil over medium-high heat in the same skillet in which you made the tofu. Add the mushroom and a good pinch of salt and pepper, and toss well. Continue to cook for 2 to 3 minutes, then mix again, cover with the lid, and continue to cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until the mushrooms are mostly cooked. Reserve the thinner slices of the mushrooms that are fully cooked to use as garnish (optional), then move the remaining mushrooms to a corner of the skillet. Add the other teaspoon of oil and the garlic to the pan. Reduce the heat to medium, and cook until the garlic is starting to turn golden.
  2. Then, mix in the pepper flakes and Italian herbs. Add the 1/2 teaspoon salt and a 1/4 cup of the non-dairy milk, and mix in as well. Mix in the miso into the non dairy milk really well, then add the rest of the non-dairy milk and continue to mix in the miso. Mix in the vegan cheeses. If the mixture is not creamy enough, mix in your non-dairy yogurt or non-dairy cream, and bring to a boil, then taste and adjust salt and flavor. Now, fold in your pasta, then cover the pan with the lid, and let it simmer for a minute or 2, then switch off the heat. Let the sauce sit for another few minutes for the sauce to add some flavor to the pasta. 
  3. To serve, spoon the pasta into your pasta bowls, then top it with some of the reserved mushroom and plenty of the tofu crumbles along with some vegan parmesan, black pepper, and fresh basil.

Notes

  • Storage: You can make the tofu crumbles ahead. They will not stay as crisp when refrigerated, so crisp them on a skillet again before serving. You can store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. Chili miso pasta keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce will thicken a little bit, so add a little bit of stock while reheating in the skillet or in the microwave.
  • To cook pasta with sauce to make 1 pan meal: after adding miso, add 2 cups stock and bring to a boil. Add the pasta, cover and cook until the pasta is cooked to preference. Stir once in between. Then add in the vegan cheeses and vegan yogurt/cream and proceed. 
  • To make without vegan cheese shreds: omit the cheese. Use cashew milk for the non dairy milk( blend 1/4 cup cashews, 2 teaspoons flour and 1 cup water), add 1 to 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast for cheese flavor 
  • To make this soy-free, use crumbled chickpea tofu or mashed chickpeas or lentils or chopped walnuts instead of the tofu, and make sure to use chickpea miso and soy-free vegan cheeses and non-dairy milk. Use coconut aminos instead of soy-sauce.
  • To make this gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta, and use gluten-free sauces and cheeses.
  • This recipe is nut-free as long as you choose nut-free non-dairy milk, cream, and cheeses.

Nutrition Information

Calories 371kcal (19%) Carbohydrates 51g (17%) Protein 14g (28%) Fat 12g (18%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Polyunsaturated Fat 3g Monounsaturated Fat 3g Sodium 678mg (28%) Potassium 257mg (7%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 6g (12%) Vitamin A 95IU (2%) Vitamin C 5mg (6%) Calcium 201mg (20%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 371

% Daily Value*

Calories 371kcal 19%
Carbohydrates 51g 17%
Protein 14g 28%
Fat 12g 18%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g 18%
Monounsaturated Fat 3g 15%
Sodium 678mg 28%
Potassium 257mg 5%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 6g 12%
Vitamin A 95IU 2%
Vitamin C 5mg 6%
Calcium 201mg 20%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.