Swap Out Heavy Cream In Your Next Pasta Sauce For One Plant-Based Ingredient

Many standard pasta sauces can go from humdrum to craveable with the addition of heavy cream. Think of penne alla vodka with its silky pink sauce or the velvety white variety that you use to top pasta primavera. There are many ways to add creaminess to pasta sauce but what if you're trying to avoid dairy or can't have it at all? One particular replacement is a favorite among vegans: silken tofu.

When purchasing tofu to add to a sauce, it's important to understand that there are many varieties of tofu. Silken tofu is very soft and is usually sold either in the cold section or in a shelf-stable package. Silken tofu can be added to a store-bought sauce or to your nonna's favorite homemade pasta sauce to add a silky texture and creamy mouthfeel. It can even be used to make a dairy-free, protein-packed Alfredo sauce that's arguably healthier than traditional versions of the cholesterol-laden topping. Just as good is the fact that swapping it into sauces for heavy cream can be seriously easy.

Instead of pressing the tofu as you might in other recipes, simply place the silken tofu in a colander to drain off any excess water. Whip it in the blender to ensure an even consistency before adding it to the pasta sauce in the pan. While you're at it, feel free to toss in some seasonings like nutritional yeast or fresh garlic to really amp up the flavor. Pesto is a delicious herby topping for pasta, and adding silken tofu can make it even more delicious and boost its protein count. Simply add a block of silken tofu to the blender or food processor when you're making the pesto and you'll have a new take on an old dish with barely any effort.

Of course, why stop there with vegan replacements? Try a pasta carbonara with mushrooms instead of pancetta, of course topping it with the plant-based sauce you just made with silken tofu. With a little creativity, you could end up discovering all sorts of new ways of using that humble box of silken tofu.