Description
A delicious creamy tofu pasta dish that is both satisfying and flavorful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 14 ounces firm tofu
- 4 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 9 ounces pasta (any shape)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (+ 2 more to cook the tofu)
- 2 cloves garlic
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1½ cups vegetable broth
- ½ cup heavy cream (or non-dairy cream)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 3 cups baby spinach
- ½ cup grated parmesan (or non-dairy cheese)
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 handful basil
- 1 lemon (the grated zest)
- ½ teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
Instructions
- COOK TOFU: Break 14 ounces firm tofu into bite-sized pieces and place it in a bowl. Toss it with 4 tablespoons cornstarch, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 3 pinches of salt until coated. In a skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and cook the tofu in a single layer over medium-high heat for 10-12 minutes, turning every 3 minutes until golden brown, adding more oil if needed.
- MAKE SAUCE: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet, add 2 cloves garlic (grated), ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes and 3 tablespoons tomato paste. Sauté for 2 minutes, then add 1½ cups vegetable broth, ½ cup heavy cream, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon salt, some black pepper, and 3 cups baby spinach. Simmer for 10 minutes. Off the heat, add ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped), ½ cup grated parmesan, 1 handful basil and stir until creamy.
- SERVE WITH PASTA: While the sauce simmers, cook 9 ounces pasta “al dente” in plenty of salted boiling water. Reserve some pasta water before draining, then add the pasta and the tofu chunks to the sauce, cooking for a minute while tossing until all is creamy, adding some reserved pasta water if necessary. Stir in the grated zest of 1 lemon and more parmesan to taste.
Notes
- This dish can be adjusted for vegan diets by using non-dairy cream and cheese.
- Feel free to add your favorite vegetables to the recipe.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stove-top
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 0mg