Looking for a creamy Alfredo-style pasta sauce that’s both light and satisfying? This tofu pasta sauce is rich, luscious, and low fat—plus, it comes together in just 15 minutes for the ultimate quick and cozy meal!
Silken tofu is one of my all-time favorite ingredients! Its neutral flavor makes it incredibly versatile. You can use it to whip up sweet treats like tofu pudding or a creamy tofu smoothie, as well as savory staples like my vegan mayo and sour cream.
This time, we’re transforming it into a luscious pasta sauce! Despite being much lower in fat than traditional cream-based sauces, it’s wonderfully rich and creamy, making it just as satisfying and delicious.
I love serving it with a side salad (like my romaine avocado salad) and plant-based protein, especially grilled seitan chicken or seitan steak, to make it a meal.
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💚Why you will love this recipe
- Luxuriously creamy, velvety, and packed with flavor
- A lightened-up cream sauce that’s lower in fat but just as satisfying
- Made with simple, pantry-friendly ingredients you likely already have
- Ready in just 15 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights!
🧄What you will need
📃Ingredient notes and substitutions
- Silken tofu - Any type of silken tofu works here, from extra firm to soft. You can even swap it for soft tofu if that’s what you have on hand!
- Milk - Both plant-based and regular milk are great options. For the best results, be sure to use one that’s unflavored and unsweetened.
- Nutritional yeast - While optional, I highly recommend it! It adds a lovely umami flavor and a hint of cheesiness that takes the sauce to the next level.
- Lemon juice - Freshly squeezed is always best, but bottled lemon juice works in a pinch. Lime juice makes a great substitute too!
🔪How to make
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.
Add all ingredients (including cooked onion and garlic) to a blender and blend until smooth. Add more milk if the sauce is too thick.
Pour tofu pasta sauce into a pan, and heat until the sauce starts to simmer. Stir in cooked pasta of choice and toss until everything is well-mixed. Your pasta is ready to be served.
✅Helpful tips
- Adjust the flavor - Taste and tweak the seasonings to your liking, adding more salt after tossing the pasta in if needed.
- Other ways to enjoy this sauce - Use silken tofu pasta sauce to layer a hearty lasagna or as a creamy topping for pizzas and flatbreads—it’s so versatile!
- Add-in ideas- Make a more satisfying meal by adding plant-based proteins like pan-fried tofu or seitan, and toss in veggies such as green peas, zucchini, broccoli, or spinach for extra fiber and nutrients.
- Make it spicy - Stir in some hot sauce or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a fiery kick.
- Serve immediately - Once the pasta is added, serve immediately, as the sauce tends to thicken as it cools.
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❄️Storing suggestions
You can store the tofu pasta sauce on its own or mix it with pasta, which will stay well in the fridge for 3-5 days. However, freezing is not recommended, as silken tofu can become grainy when frozen and thawed.
When it’s time to reheat, simply warm it in the microwave or stove, adding a splash of water or milk to thin it out to your desired consistency.
❔Commonly asked questions
Soft tofu has a slightly denser and grainier texture than silken tofu, but both work perfectly in this recipe. Since we’re blending everything together, the difference in texture won’t be noticeable.
Freezing tofu pasta sauce is not recommended, as it can alter its texture and make it grainy. While it’s still safe to consume, the sauce will not be as creamy and rich as when it’s freshly made.
📖 Recipe
Creamy Silken Tofu Pasta Sauce
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)
- 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
- 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. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Adjust the flavor - Taste and tweak the seasonings to your liking, adding more salt after tossing the pasta in if needed.
- Make it spicy - Stir in some hot sauce or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a fiery kick.
- Serve immediately - Once the pasta is added, serve immediately, as the sauce tends to thicken as it cools.
Save this recipe!
Email yourself a link to this page and come back later.
Also get a FREE high-protein vegan recipe eBook + weekly new recipes! Unsubscribe anytime.
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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