Tofu Alfredo Pasta Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What can I add to Alfredo sauce to make it taste better? ›

Try a simple mix of chopped chicken, carrots, and sliced Cayenne pepper, or add ground beef browned with onions. Some people also add fresh broccoli, but that's not among my personal favorites. Seasonings, spices, and fresh herbs: this is definitely a great way to give your Alfredo sauce a more personal flavor.

When seeking a vegan or dairy-free alternative for traditional cream in recipes, silken tofu stands out as an exceptional option. The neutral flavor and creamy texture of silken tofu make it versatile, allowing it to absorb and enhance the flavors of other ingredients.

Silken tofu also called soft, silk, or Japanese-style tofu has a softer consistency than regular tofu and will fall apart if not handled carefully. You may notice that silken tofu (soft tofu), unlike regular tofu, is sometimes packaged in aseptic boxes that do not require refrigeration.

Add Cheese

The key ingredient in Alfredo sauce is cheese—generally Parmigiano Reggiano—and lots of it. To thicken Alfredo sauce, simply add more cheese than the amount called for in a recipe until you achieve the consistency you want.

Heartier herbs like thyme or oregano can be added in to simmer with the sauce. Add delicate herbs like parsley, basil, or chervil at the end to maintain their delicate, aromatic flavor. Quick tip: Swirl in a bit of leftover pesto to add another herbaceous twist to your Alfredo sauce.

Extra seasonings and spices will go a long way in adding flavor to a boring jar of sauce. Some of my personal favorites include salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, dried basil, oregano, onion powder or seasoned salt. Start with small amounts (1/2 teaspoon at a time) and add as needed, in order to avoid over-spicing.

Pureed silken tofu can replace heavy cream in many recipes, although it will not whip. Add 1 cup of pureed tofu in place of 1 cup of heavy cream. Silken tofu adds an extra protein boost to a meal. A 100 gram (g) portion provides 4.8 g of protein and only 55 calories.

Combine equal parts silken tofu and soy milk and blend thoroughly in an immersion blender or food processor until the mixture reaches a smooth, thick consistency. Then use it in place of an equal amount of heavy cream to thicken your favorite recipes, such as soups or sauces.

And silken tofu, on the opposite end of the spectrum, isn't pressed at all, and it's so soft that it can be eaten with a spoon. I find that it makes a welcome addition to my winter hot pots and summer salads. It's also useful as a supporting player in sauces and even as a binder in meatballs.

Just be sure to get the oil nice and hot before adding the tofu; this will prevent the tofu from excessively sticking to the pan and help develop a nicely crisp sear! A simple Chinese-style dish featuring pan-seared silken tofu served with a garlic scallion soy sauce.

Does silken tofu need to be cooked? ›

Serve it 'uncooked' (Hiyayakko) Silken tofu doesn't require additional cooking, as it's already been cooked during the tofu-making process. In fact, consuming “uncooked” silken tofu is a traditional way of enjoying this ingredient in Japan.

If it darkens in color, begins to smell, or feels slimy, it should be thrown away. Bottom line: Open packages of tofu are good in the fridge for up to five days, provided you change the water daily.

White Flour

Flours can be used to make a bit of a slurry and add to the sauce to make it thicker. 1 part flour to 2 parts liquid and then adding it to your sauce should thicken it nicely. Just make sure that when you make the slurry, there are no lumps in your mixture.

Alfredo should never have anything but pasta water, butter, and cheese in it. Make sure the cooking water has salt in it but remember part is salty.

Usually a grainy sauce is because it has broken - that happens when the protiens bind into little balls. If you are using milk and it's not whole milk that would be the reason why. Low fat milk breaks exceedingly easily and isn't worth trying to make a sauce from.

Add a few dashes of garlic powder to your simmering sauce, or a clove or two of fresh sauteed garlic, to brighten up the Alfredo and make its flavor pop. You can also sprinkle in some fresh or dried herbs, like oregano, thyme, or basil, to add complexity to the sauce.

Stir in big handfuls of spinach, Kale mushrooms, zucchini, onions, broccoli, spinach, squash, or grape tomatoes after the pasta is cooked. You can also substitute zucchini (zoodles) for the pasta.

You'll then add the cream before the garlic browns, since burnt garlic can turn the sauce bitter in an instant. You want to use dairy with a decent amount of fat — like heavy cream or half-and-half — because it gives the sauce its richness and smooth texture, so it is best not to substitute milk.

Add More Liquid: Adding more liquid to the sauce can help dilute the flour taste. You can use water, broth, wine, or cream, depending on the type of sauce you're making. Be sure to adjust the seasonings as needed to maintain the flavor balance.