Vegan Creamy Cajun Pasta with Breaded tofu.
Vegan Creamy Cajun Pasta with Crisp Breaded tofu. Nut-free Creamy Cajun Spice Sauce with Farfalle and Breaded Tofu. Vegan Nut-free Recipe. Soy-free option. Easily oil-free
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 8 oz farfalle
Vegan Creamy Cajun Sauce:
- 1 tsp oil or 2 tbsp broth
- 3 cloves of garlic minced
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1/2 red bell pepper thinly sliced
- 7 oz firm tofu , drained (use tofu that doesn’t have a strong beany flavor as that can stand out) see note for tofu free sauce
- 1 cup non dairy milk such as soy milk, oat milk or almond milk
- 1 tsp flour
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 3 tsp cajun spice blend or more as needed
- 2-3 tbsp nutritional yeast (optional)
- 1 tsp miso , mellow miso or chickpea miso
- 1/2 tsp salt
For the Breaded Tofu:
- 9 oz firm or extra firm tofu , drained and pressed for 10 mins, then sliced into 1/2 inch thick slices
- 1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
- 1/2 tsp poultry seasoning or use a mix of sage, thyme and oregano
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika or a mix of sweet and smoked, or use cajun seasoning
- 1/2 tsp cornstarch or other starch
- 1 tsp lime juice
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 tsp onion flakes
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to instructions on package and set aside.
- Breaded tofu: Mix the soy sauce, herbs, spices, cornstarch, lime in a shallow bowl. Coat each slice of the Tofu and let is sit to marinate for 10-15 mins. Meanwhile prep the sauce(below).
- In another shallow bowl mix breadcrumbs, onion flakes. Coat each tofu slice in the breadcrumb mixture, Then pan fry in a regular skillet or grill skillet over medium-high heat for 4 to 5 mins each side, or bake for at 400 deg F (205 C) for 25 mins. Slice into half inch slices.
- Make the Cajun Cream Sauce: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for a few seconds, add onion and mix and cook for half a minute. Add bell pepper and mushrooms and a good pinch of salt and cook until golden.
- Meanwhile, blend the rest of the ingredients (tofu through salt) in a blender until smooth. Add this to the skillet and mix well. Bring to a boil. Taste and adjust flavor with more salt, cajun spice, nutritional yeast if needed. (some tofu brands are denser and might need more of the flavor ingredients).
- Fold in the cooked farfalle and toss to coat. Switch off heat. Cover and let sit for 2 mins.
- The pasta is great as is as well. Garnish with 1/4 cup or more chopped tomato, pepper flakes and cilantro. Serve with sliced breaded tofu,
Store: Pasta sauce and cajun pasta can be stored refrigerated for upto 3 days.
Tofu breading will soften on storage, Re-bake and serve.
Video
Notes
To make the sauce without soy: Use 1/2 cup cashews , 1 tbsp flour and 1/4 cup more non dairy milk and blend with the rest of the ingredients. Use chickpea miso.
Serve the Pasta without the breaded tofu topping or use roasted veggies or vegan chicken subs
To make the pasta gluten-free: Use gluten-free pasta of choice.
Use gluten-free breadcrumbs for breading the tofu.
Nutrition is for 1 serve
Nutrition
Calories: 419kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 572mg | Potassium: 383mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1278IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 265mg | Iron: 4mg