Description
Discover the ultimate creamy, dreamy Tofu Mac & Cheese, a plant-based revelation that transforms humble tofu into a luxurious, cheesy sauce. This recipe is healthier, protein-packed, and incredibly satisfying, becoming your go-to comfort food.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 ounces (450g) Macaroni or other short pasta
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 small Yellow Onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 14–16 ounces (400-450g) Silken or Soft Tofu, drained
- ½ cup Unsweetened Plant-Based Milk
- ¾ cup Nutritional Yeast
- 2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar or Lemon Juice
- 2 tablespoons Dijon Mustard
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper (or to taste)
- Optional Topping: ½ cup Panko Breadcrumbs mixed with 1 tablespoon melted vegan butter or olive oil
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in heavily salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion until soft (5-7 minutes), then add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Remove from heat.
- In a high-speed blender, combine drained silken tofu, plant-based milk, nutritional yeast, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Add the sautéed onion and garlic mixture.
- Blend on high for 1-2 minutes until completely smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Gently warm the sauce in the pasta pot over low-medium heat. Add the cooked pasta and stir until evenly coated. Add reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
- Optional: Transfer to a baking dish, sprinkle with breadcrumb topping, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes until golden and crispy.
Notes
- Use silken or soft tofu for the creamiest sauce; firm tofu will result in a grainy texture.
- Nutritional yeast is key for the cheesy flavor.
- Starchy pasta water helps to thin and emulsify the sauce.
- Taste and adjust seasonings before combining with pasta.
- This Tofu Mac and Cheese is kid-friendly and can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop and Baked (Optional)
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: N/A
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: N/A
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: N/A
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 0mg