Vegan silken tofu and cauliflower Alfredo sauce is proof positive of the versatility of this beloved cruciferous vegetable, but what’s even more convincing is the creamy texture. This plant-based Alfredo sauce is simple and surprisingly luscious.
I’ve made a vegan version of Alfredo sauce only with cauliflower, and I’ve made it just with silken tofu. Using both at once is a winning combo — the silky tofu gives the sauce smoothness and heft, and the cauliflower gives it a subtle, secret veggie goodness.
So do away with butter- and dairy-filled pasta and Alfredo and give this skinny and somewhat sneaky version a try. Since it’s kind of a cousin to mac and cheese (minus the cheese), it might just be the thing for kids and picky eaters of all ages.
About silken tofu
Silken tofu is available in 14- ounce tubs or 10.9-ounce aseptic cartons. I like to keep a few of the latter on hand at all times, as they’re shelf stable. They can be kept in the pantry for quite a long time — up to a year. Look for a best-used-by-date on the carton.
Soft and smooth, silken tofu ideal to puree and use as a base for soups, dips, and sauces. It also makes wonderfully creamy dessert puddings and pie fillings. See lots more ways to use it in Silken Tofu Recipes — Savory & Sweet.
Photos by Hannah Kaminsky, Bittersweetblog.com.
More cauliflower dishes for you to enjoy
- 75+ Cauliflower Recipes — Flavorful & Versatile
- Everything Vegan Cauliflower Buffalo Bites
- Hot and Cool Buffalo Cauliflower Chickpea Salad
- Indian-Spiced Cauliflower and Chickpea Stew
Vegan Silken Tofu and Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce
Do away with dairy and give this skinny and somewhat sneaky silken tofu and cauliflower Alfredo pasta a try!
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta, any short chunky shape (twists are ideal)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegan butter
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 to 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 4 heaping cups small cauliflower florets, fresh or frozen, thawed
- 10.9-ounce container firm or extra-firm silken tofu
- 1/2 cup unsweetened plant-based milk
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- Finely chopped parsley or sliced basil leaves as desired, optional
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente, then drain and return to the pot.
- Meanwhile, heat the oil in a medium-size skillet. Add the onion and sauté over medium heat until translucent. Add the garlic and continue to sauté until both are golden.
- Add the cauliflower and a little water to keep the bottom of the skillet moist. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the cauliflower is tender.
- Transfer the onion and cauliflower mixture to a food processor or blender along with the tofu, plant-based milk, and nutritional yeast. Process until smoothly blended.
- Pour the sauce into the pot with the cooked pasta and stir together. It might seem like there’s a lot more sauce than what you need, but use it all — it absorbs into the pasta quickly.
- Heat briefly to warm it all up, stirring often. Season with salt and pepper. This sauce is on the mild side so you’ll need to salt judiciously to boost the flavor.
- Let stand off the heat for 5 minutes or so to absorb the sauce. Stir in fresh herb or choice if using, then serve.
Notes
Variations: Top the pasta with steamed greens, peas, or asparagus (cut into 1-inch pieces).
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 278Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 95mgCarbohydrates: 38gFiber: 7gSugar: 5gProtein: 15g
Nutrition data is always an estimate depending on program used to calculate and exact products used. This is given for informational purposes only and accuracy cannot be guaranteed.
Here are lots more recipes for vegan pasta and noodles.
I made a double batch of cauliflower-tofu Alfredo and
It was absolutely delicious. I added a tablespoon of white miso to the double batch. My husband and son, who are not vegans, liked it as well!
Thank you, Cathy — adding white miso is such a brilliant idea, since this otherwise mild dish relies on salt for flavor. If you don’t mind, I’ll add it as an option in the recipe!
How/where can I see more reviews??
Of course! My son asked me to make a batch of this sauce to use as a dip for tortilla chips. It’s so versatile!
What a great idea, a kind of white vegan queso! I’ll have to try that.
Any thoughts on using the silken tofu on the shelf vs. the refrigerated kind? Thank you! Cannot wait to try this!
Jess, I think either would work. I’ve done it with both; the refrigerated kind is a little more in volume (14 ounces vs. 12.3 ounces), so you’d wind up with a little extra sauce. If its seems too much, you can save a little for another purpose, like topping potatoes!
Can this sauce be made in bulk and frozen to use at a later date? Thank-you!
Hi Sophie — I can’t promise that it would work, as I’ve never frozen and thawed this sauce. Regular tofu changes texture when it’s frozen, but I’m not sure whether that’s true of silken tofu, or not. Sorry I can’t be more helpful!