• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Easy Chickpeasy
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • PRESS
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • PRESS
  • NEWSLETTER
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • HOME
    • ABOUT
    • PRESS
    • NEWSLETTER
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    • A loaf of pumpkin bread, with a a few slices leaning against the loaf.
      Easy Vegan Banana Pumpkin Bread (Gluten-Free Tested!)
    • A bowl of zucchini pasta, topped with walnuts and fresh parsley.
      Easy Creamy Vegan Zucchini Pasta
    • Several muffins with golden tops, bright raspberries, and crisp almonds tightly packed together.
      Easy Vegan Raspberry Almond Muffins (Gluten-Free Friendly)
    • A bowl each of lentil pasta salad, vegan cobb salad, taco salad, and lentil salad.
      How To Make Filling Vegan Salads + 21 Hearty Recipes
    • Fruit salad of canteloupe, strawberries, blueberries, green grapes, and clementines with fresh mint dressing.
      Easy Summer Fruit Salad with Vegan Dressing
    • Plate of fruit salad with mint dressing and garnished with small mint leaves.
      Fresh Maple Lemon Mint Fruit Salad Dressing (Vegan)
    • Mother earth latte, with layered green amd blue effect, on a serving tray with a second latte nearby.
      Cold-Brewed Mother Earth Latte (Matcha and Butterfly Pea Flower)
    • A couple muffins on a serving board with a few oats sprinkled over top and a glass of milk.
      Easy Vegan Banana Oat Muffins (Gluten Free Tested!)
    • Bowl of cashew pesto with a spoon tucked in.
      Easy Vegan Cashew Pesto (without Pine Nuts)
    • Serving bowl of lentil pasta salad with serving spoons tucked in.
      Creamy Pesto Red Lentil Pasta Salad (vegan, gluten-free)
    • Sushi bake in a casserole dish topped with avocado, cucumbers, sesame seeds, and green onions with a fork and knife nearby.
      Easy Vegan Sushi Bake with Soy Curls
    • A slice removed from a cookie cake.
      Easy Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake (gluten-free friendly)
    Home » Dips, Sauces, and Condiments

    Creamy Silken Tofu Pasta Sauce

    Published: Sep 12, 2023 by Tori Vasko, RD · This post contains paid links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe
    Plate of creamy silken tofu pasta, topped with chopped fresh parsley and red pepper flakes.

    This creamy silken tofu pasta sauce has all the rich texture and satisfying flavor of classic alfredo- only it's completely vegan. The best part? It's loaded with plant-based protein. Made with just a few basic ingredients and a blender, this simple white sauce is the perfect easy recipe to throw together when you're craving comfort food. 

    Jump to:
    • You Will Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients and Substitutions
    • Instructions
    • Variations
    • Storage
    • Tips 
    • FAQ
    • Recipe

    You Will Love This Recipe

    • It's super simple. This sauce takes less than 10 minutes to throw together, meaning you can make it while your pasta boils. 
    • It's the perfect creamy texture. Really, you won't believe how luscious this sauce is!
    • It's healthed up. This creamy sauce swaps out heavy cream, parmesan, and butter for plant-based alternatives rich in healthy fats and protein. 

    Ingredients and Substitutions

    Labeled ingredients for the pasta sauce.
    • Extra-firm silken tofu: If you can't find extra-firm, use the firmest silken tofu you can find. 
    • Pasta (and reserved pasta water): I've used chickpea pasta for even more protein, but feel free to use your favorite pasta!
    • Nutritional yeast: "Nooch" adds that cheesy flavor, but you can try vegan parmesan cheese or chickpea flour if you're out.
    • Lemon juice: Fresh is best, but premade is fine, too. 
    • Olive oil: I love olive oil for its health benefits, but avocado or another neutral-flavored oil should work. 
    • Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, onion, and garlic powder make for a simple yet impactful combo. Feel free to add fresh onion and garlic if you'd prefer. 
    • Garnishes: A pinch of red pepper flakes and a sprinkle of fresh parsley pair perfectly with this creamy alfredo sauce, but I suspect other fresh herbs or a bit of lemon zest would be tasty too! 

    Why Silken Tofu?

    Jar with all of the sauce ingredients before blending.

    While you may have seen vegan alfredo sauce made from cashew cream, coconut milk, or regular tofu, here's why I love silken tofu for creamy vegan pasta recipes: 

    • Silken tofu does not require soaking or a high-speed blender to whip up, making for easier last-minute prep.
    • Silken tofu is rich in protein, making for a more satiating meal. 
    • Unlike block or "regular" tofu, silken tofu does not contain curds, making for the creamiest pasta sauce. 

    Instructions

    To start, boil your pasta in salted water for 1-2 minutes less than the package directions for al dente pasta. Reserve about a cup of pasta water a few minutes into cooking the pasta. 

    Pasta before and after cooking, with some pasta water reserved in a measuring cup.

    From here, using a standard or immersion blender, blend all of your sauce ingredients until smooth, including half of the reserved pasta water. 

    Alfredo sauce before and after blending.

    When the pasta has finished cooking, strain it and add it back to the pot. Add the sauce and stir to combine. If the sauce is too thick, add some more pasta water. If the sauce is too thin, cook over medium heat until it's just right. 

    pasta before and after mixing with the sauce.

    From here, you can garnish your pasta and serve! 

    Plate of creamy silken tofu pasta, topped with chopped fresh parsley and red pepper flakes.

    Variations

    • Add a bit of cornstarch for a cheese topping that browns like real cheese, like I use in my baked spaghetti recipe. 
    • Use block extra firm tofu for a vegan ricotta or cottage cheese substitute. 
    • Use your favorite gluten-free pasta to make a completely gluten-free dish. All the rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free!

    Storage

    Make-ahead: This sauce can be made up to 4 days in advance and stored in the fridge. If you do not have pasta water on hand, add a quarter teaspoon of corn starch to a cup of water and heat it. 

    Store: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. 

    Reheat: Use a large skillet over medium heat to reheat leftovers until heated through. You may want to add some water or plant-based milk if the pasta looks a bit dry. 

    Tips 

    Plate of creamy silken tofu pasta, topped with chopped fresh parsley and red pepper flakes, with a fork and spoon tucked in.
    • I love to get some veggies into this pasta by adding steamed peas, baby spinach, or roasting some broccoli and adding that to the pasta, similar to my broccoli chickpea pasta recipe. 
    • If you'd rather let the pasta speak for itself, serve a salad, roasted, or air-fried veggies on the side. With their mild licorice flavor and crisp outside, I think Jenn's easy air fryer fennel would go perfectly with this creamy pasta!
    • If you are behind on making the sauce, drizzle a bit of olive oil over your pasta and toss it so it doesn't stick. 
    • Eco tip: To store the remainder of your fresh parsley, trim the stems and place it upright in a mason jar with a bit of water (like a bouquet) in the fridge. 

    FAQ

    What type of pasta pairs best with this sauce?

    You can use any pasta, but I find fettuccine or linguine goes well with this creamy sauce, especially if you are going for classic fettuccine alfredo pasta.

    Is silken tofu easy to find at the grocery store?

    Yup, silken tofu is readily available in most grocery stores. Sometimes, it is next to the regular block tofu in the refrigerated section. Other times, it is stored with other non-perishables, sometimes in the "world foods" section. 

    Can I use this sauce for other dishes besides pasta?

    Absolutely! This sauce can also be used as a creamy base for casseroles and veggie dishes, or as a creamy dip for crusty bread or crackers. In place of pasta water, you can mix ¼ teaspoon of cornstarch into water and heat before blending it with the rest of the ingredients.

    Do I need to heat silken tofu? 

    Silken tofu can be eaten right out of the package, so there is no concern with getting this sauce to a certain temperature. Just heat it until it is warm enough to be tasty. 

    Recipe

    Plate of creamy silken tofu pasta, topped with chopped fresh parsley and red pepper flakes.

    Creamy Silken Tofu Pasta Sauce (Vegan Alfredo)

    This creamy and decadent sauce whips up in under 10 minutes, for the perfect weeknight meal.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 161kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 8 ounces pasta
    • 1 cup pasta water, divided
    • 1 (~12.3 ounce) block extra firm silken tofu
    • ¼ cup lemon juice (juice of about ½ - 1 lemon)
    • ¼ cup nutritional yeast
    • 3 Tablespoons olive oil
    • ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
    • ¼ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder (or two cloves fresh garlic)
    • ¼ teaspoon onion powder (or ½ a fresh onion, sautéed)

    Equipment

    Blender (or immersion blender)

    Instructions

    • Cook pasta per package directions (or 1-2 minutes less than instructions for al dente pasta) in salted water. When the pasta has cooked for several minutes, remove 1 cup of pasta water.
    • Add all ingredients, including ½ cup of the pasta water, to a blender and blend until smooth, scraping down the sides of the blender jar intermittently.
    • When the pasta has finished cooking, strain but do not rinse it. Instead, return it back to the pot and pour the sauce over top.
    • Stir until the sauce has thoroughly coated the pasta. If the sauce seems too thick, add some more pasta water. If it seems too thin, heat the pasta over medium heat until it thickens.
    • Divide pasta into four servings, optionally add garnishes, and serve.
    • Store leftover pasta in the fridge for 4-5 days or the freezer for up to 3 months.

    Notes

    • Nutrition facts are calculated without pasta or garnishes. Nutrition facts may vary based on ingredients and brands used. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 161kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Sodium: 215mg | Potassium: 127mg | Fiber: 1g | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 117mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention me @easy.chickpeasy or tag me #easychickpeasy!

    More Plant-Based Dips, Sauces, and Condiments

    • Bowl of tahini dill dressing with carrot sticks and potato chips.
      Creamy Vegan Tahini Dill Dressing (Dairy Free)
    • Bowl of kidney bean hummus garnished with oil, sesame seeds, and parsley.
      Simple Creamy Kidney Bean Hummus (Vegan)
    • Vinaigrette in a bowl with a spoon sticking out.
      Simple Dijon Vinaigrette Dressing (Viniagrette Recipe)
    • Tahini lime dressing being drizzled from a spoon into a jar.
      Creamy Tahini Lime Dressing with Cilantro

    Subscribe

    for your weekly recipe fix.

    Reader Interactions

    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Tori, smiling and holding a mug of coffee

    Hi, I'm Tori! I'm a Registered Dietitian with a passion for sharing plant-based recipes. I love getting creative with cooking, dancing in the kitchen, and a good cup of coffee.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Big serving bowl of chickpea dill quinoa salad.
      Creamy Chickpea Dill Quinoa Salad (Vegan)

    • Bowl of vegan pot pie soup, BBQ soy curl pizza, soy curl sloppy joe, and a bowl of vegan ginger beef on rice.
      25 Best Soy Curl Recipes

    • Plate of chickpea pasta salad with a fork tucked in.
      Easy Vegan Chickpea Tuna Pasta Salad

    • Sliced wrap on a cutting board with a second unsliced wrap nearby.
      Crispy Vegan Buffalo Chicken Wraps with Soy Curls

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • FAQ

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2024 Easy Chickpeasy

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.