This creamy Alfredo-style tofu pasta sauce is rich, luscious, and just as comforting as the classic, but made lighter with silken tofu. Ready in just 15 minutes, it's the perfect dinner for busy weeknights.
If you love making pasta sauces at home, I recommend checking out my vegan marinara sauce, Thai basil pesto, or vegan spaghetti sauce next.
Silken tofu has been a staple in my kitchen for years! Its mild flavor and creamy texture make it perfect for desserts like tofu chocolate pudding, to savory condiments like my tofu mayo and vegan sour cream.
This time, I am turning it into a luscious alfredo tofu pasta sauce that is rich and garlicky yet much lighter than the traditional version. My favorite way to enjoy it is to pair it with grilled seitan chicken or vegan steak and a side salad for a hearty dinner.
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💚Why you will love silken tofu pasta sauce
- Silky smooth, rich, and packed with flavors
- A lightened-up cream sauce that is low in fat but just as satisfying
- Ready in just 15 minutes with minimal prep
- Naturally vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free
🧄What you will need
- Silken tofu - Any will work, but firm silken tofu works best. Soft tofu can also be used, but the sauce will have a slightly grittier texture.
- Milk - Either plant-based or dairy milk would work. Make sure it is unflavored and unsweetened.
- Nutritional yeast (optional) - Adds a boost of umami and cheesy flavor, taking the sauce to the next level.
- Lemon juice - Brightens up the sauce. Fresh lemon juice works best, but bottled ones can be used as a substitute.
- Pasta (not pictured) - Any shape or size of pasta would work in this recipe. Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
🔪How to make tofu pasta sauce
Step 1: Heat some oil over medium heat in a pan. Add onion and saute for 2-3 minutes until translucent.
Step 2: Add garlic next, frying for a minute.
Step 3: Add all ingredients to a blender, blending until smooth. Add more milk if needed.
Step 4: Add tofu pasta sauce back to the pan and heat it to a gentle simmer. Stir in cooked pasta of choice and season with salt and pepper, if needed.
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✅Helpful tips
- Cook pasta until al dente - Undercook pasta by 1-3 minutes, as it will continue to cook in the sauce.
- Reserve some pasta water - After cooking, reserve 1 cup of pasta water. Use it to loosen up the sauce if it gets too thick.
- Enjoy immediately - Tofu pasta sauce will thicken as it cools. If it thickens up too much, reheat and add a splash of pasta water or milk to loosen.
- Serving ideas - Top your tofu alfredo pasta with red pepper flakes or vegan parmesan cheese. Pair it with lighter side dishes, like my romaine avocado salad, air fryer Portobello, or braised celery.
❄️Storing suggestions
Fridge - Store tofu pasta sauce in a glass jar or container, and it can be kept refrigerated for 3-5 days. Only add pasta when ready to serve.
Freezer - Freezing is not recommended as it will affect the texture of the sauce. Silken tofu can turn grainy when frozen and thawed.
Reheating - Reheat either on the stove for a few minutes, or in 15-second bursts in the microwave. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of water or milk, thinning it out to the desired consistency.
📖 Recipe
Creamy Tofu Pasta Sauce (alfredo-style)
Equipment
Ingredients
Pasta sauce
- 1 medium onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 block silken tofu drained (about 12oz/340g)
- 1 cup soy milk or other plant-based milk of choice
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed preferred
- 2 tablespoon nutritional yeast (optional, but recommended)
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper or to taste
To serve
- 4 servings cooked pasta of choice use gluten-free if needed
Instructions
- If you have yet to do so, cook pasta according to package instructions, but undercook it by 1-3 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water. Drain pasta and set aside.
- Heat some oil in a non-stick pan. Add onion, and saute for 2-3 minutes until translucent.
- Add garlic next and fry for a minute until fragrant.
- Add all ingredients (including cooked onion and garlic) to the blender and blend until smooth.
- The sauce should be slightly thinner, as it will thicken when cooked. Add some water or more milk to thin if needed.
- Add tofu pasta sauce to a skillet, and heat until the sauce starts to simmer.
- Stir in cooked pasta of choice, and toss until everything is well mixed. If the sauce thickens up too much, loosen it with some reserved pasta water.
- Season with salt and pepper if needed, and enjoy while warm.
Notes
- Cook pasta until al dente - Undercook pasta by 1-3 minutes, as it will continue to cook in the sauce.
- Enjoy immediately - Tofu pasta sauce will thicken as it cools. If it thickens up too much, reheat and add a splash of pasta water or milk to loosen.
- Storing leftover - Leftover pasta sauce can be kept in a glass jar or sealed container for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or stove, adding a splash of water or milk to thin if needed.
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Nutrition
Nutrition info calculated is just a rough estimate and is provided as a courtesy. Bear in mind that value will vary based on variables like specific brand or type of product used. To obtain the most accurate representation, it is highly recommended that you calculate it on your own with the actual amount and type of ingredient used.
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