Quick + Easy Tofu Pasta Sauce
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
10 mins
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Total Time
20 mins
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Servings
4 Servings
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Calories
289 kcal
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Course
Main Course
Quick + Easy Tofu Pasta Sauce
Description
Quick + Easy Tofu Pasta Sauce combines silken tofu blended with vegetable broth, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, garlic, thyme, salt, and black pepper to create a smooth, creamy sauce that mimics a cheese-like texture without dairy. The sauce is warmed with fresh baby spinach and halved cherry tomatoes until the spinach wilts and tomatoes soften slightly, preserving their light sweetness and enhancing the overall freshness. This mixture is then tossed with cooked rotini pasta to evenly coat each piece.
The sauce provides a balanced tang from the lemon juice, savory notes from nutritional yeast and garlic, and gentle herbaceous hints thanks to thyme. The spinach adds a subtle earthiness while cherry tomatoes contribute slight acidity and texture contrast. The preparation method requires no cooking of the tofu beyond heating, preserving its smoothness.
This sauce can be ready quickly and serves well as a vegan-friendly pasta topping. Optional garnishes like vegan parmesan, fresh herbs, or red pepper flakes can be added to adjust flavor and presentation. Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated with a splash of broth to loosen the sauce if thickened.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces silken tofu use GMO-free if possible
- ½ cup vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice approx. half a lemon
- 2 cloves garlic peeled
- ⅛ teaspoon thyme dried
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon salt or to taste, sea salt
- 3 large baby spinach handfuls
- 10 ounces cherry tomato halved, if preferred
- ½ pound rotini pasta or your choice
Optional Garnishes
- vegan parmesan cheese
- red pepper flakes
- basil or parsley, fresh
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil and cook your pasta according to package directions for 'al dente' pasta. Drain and set it aside.
- Meanwhile, add the tofu, broth, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper to a blender and process until smooth.
- Transfer the sauce to a large skillet and add the spinach and tomatoes. Heat over medium heat until the spinach is wilted. Then stir in the cooked pasta, mix well, and serve.
Notes
- Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop with extra broth to restore sauce consistency.
- Salt pasta water well to enhance pasta texture and flavor.
- Cook pasta al dente to maintain bite and avoid mushiness.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 289 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 289cal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 50g | 17% |
| Protein | 14g | 28% |
| Fat | 3g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Sodium | 118mg | 5% |
| Potassium | 532mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 419IU | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 20mg | 22% |
| Calcium | 51mg | 5% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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