Vegan Farfalle Carbonara / Silken Tofu Alfredo / Silken Tofu Pasta (w/ Parsley, Peas and/or TVP Bacon)

Makes 5 servings with 16oz orzo (Makes 4 servings with 12oz brown rice pasta) Options: Parsley, Peas, TVP bacon bits

Great

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

If making TVP bacon bits, preheat oven to 225F / 107c. Heat 1 cup of water, 2 Tablespoons of oil, 2 teaspoons of smoked paprika, 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt, and 1 teaspoon of liquid smoke in a saucepan. Once it comes to a boil, turn it off and pour in 1 1/2 cups of TVP and stir, coating the TVP in the broth.

Step 2

If making TVP bacon bits, Spread onto a cookie sheet and place in the oven at 225°F (107° C) for about 45 minutes, giving them a little stir or shake the tray every 10- 15 minutes while in the oven to make sure they cook evenly.

Step 3

TVP bacon bits are done! Let cool while you make everything else. It makes a large portion, could potentially half for this recipe.

Step 4

For the pasta, bring a heavily salted pot of water to a boil and cook 16oz (464g) bag of orzo until soft. I use Delallo brand. Feel free to use other fun shaped pasta or brown rice pasta (a 12oz (340g) box is probably enough). When pasta is done, DO NOT DRAIN! Reserve 1/4 cup salted pasta water before draining and keep that now empty pot for mixing!

Step 5

While the pasta cooks, mix the 16oz (454g) silken tofu block, 2 3/4 Tbsp dijon mustard, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/4 + 1/8 tsp garlic powder, and 3/4 cup oat milk in a food processor or blender. This is the blender sauce!

Step 6

If using parsley, tear up a few handfuls of fresh parsley leaves with your hands, or take some out of the freezer. We'll add this later.

Step 7

If using peas, 1 cup of frozen peas is enough. Heat up the frozen peas in 1 1/2 Tbsp of oil medium heat in the empty pot after using it to cook pasta (see next step).

Step 8

When pasta is done, DO NOT DRAIN until you reserve 1/4 cup salted pasta water. After you reserve that, drain pasta in colander. You can heat up frozen peas in empty pot with 1 1/2 Tbsp oil if adding. Add now drained pasta back into the pot (with the peas in it if using), along with the blender sauce, 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, the fresh parsley, a small dash of salt (optional), and 32 grinds of black pepper. Stir well until everything is creamy. Your silken tofu pasta is done!

Step 9

This recipe makes 4-5 servings of pasta. 5 servings if you use a 16oz bag of orzo or 4 servings if you use a 12oz box of brown rice fusilli pasta.

Step 10

Store the TVP bacon bits separately in fridge and sprinkle on top of pasta when serving so they don't get mushy and gross. Plus, if you don't feel like eating them one day, you can leave them off. Extra TVP bacon bits are fantastic on mashed potatoes and microwaved potatoes.