A creamy pasta dish is basically the definition of crowd-pleasing. But if you're skipping the heavy cream for health reasons or don't always have this ingredient in the fridge, there's a substitute that you should know about. I often use silken tofu when I make sauce, as it offers the same creamy texture plus a little bit of a protein boost. Blending it into pasta sauces is easier than you might expect. Plus, it has a neutral taste, which means it can easily be added to everything from pesto sauce to tomato sauce to cheesy sauces.
Silken tofu is a plant-based ingredient that's worth keeping on hand. In addition to using it for pasta sauces, it can also be added to soups, sautéed up with meat and vegetables and served over rice, added to stir fries, or even made into a fluffy mousse for dessert. Adding it to your go-to recipes can be an easy way to increase your protein intake.
Read on to find out what silken tofu is and how to blend it into your pasta sauces. If you're looking for other pasta night upgrades, read up on the one ingredient Italian grandmothers always add to tomato sauce and the key step you're probably skipping when you make pasta at home.
What is silken tofu?
Silken tofu is a smooth, unpressed tofu that’s custard-like in texture and ivory in color. You can easily run a spoon—or even a finger—through it.
Silken tofu is often sold packed in water, either in individual containers in the refrigerator aisle or shelf-stable boxes, and sometimes as part of a larger soybean section at shops that make or sell fresh tofu.
Made from soybeans and water, silken tofu (also called bean curd) is naturally vegan and a good source of protein, along with calcium, potassium, and other nutrients.
How to cream silken tofu
To make a cream sauce with silken tofu, all you need is a blender and a little liquid to thin it out.
- Drain and break up the tofu: Drain the silken tofu, then use your fingers to gently break it into pieces and add it to a blender.
- Blend with liquid and salt: Add a splash of water and a pinch of salt, then blend until smooth. If the mixture is too thick, continue adding water in small splashes until it reaches the texture of heavy cream (or aioli, if that helps).
- Stir into sauces: Add the creamed tofu to almost any sauce. It brings silky body to jarred marinara and other tomato-based sauces, makes pesto more luscious, and adds creaminess to peanut sauce, Alfredo, or anything that benefits from a richer texture. Because it’s neutral in flavor, it adapts easily—just adjust seasoning as needed.
- Blend into finished sauces: For a ready-made sauce, blend other ingredients directly into the tofu. Try blanched green vegetables with a splash of pasta water for a bright, verdant pasta sauce, or herbs and a bit of tahini for a sauce for proteins or vegetables.
- Use anywhere you want creaminess: Silken tofu works in nearly any creamy application, all while adding a boost of plant-based protein to your dish.
