Creamy Tofu Gochujang Pasta

💪 High-protein | 🌱 Vegan | ⏱ Quick & easy

This creamy gochujang garlic pasta is the ultimate quick comfort meal. It is rich, savory, slightly spicy and packed with plant-based protein. Silken tofu creates a luxuriously smooth sauce without cream, while slow-roasted garlic and gochujang bring deep umami flavor. Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.

A recipe by 'Vegan life with Shivakshi (@to.live.soulfully)'.

Ingredients

2 tbsp plant-based oil (for slow-roasting)

¼ cup peeled garlic cloves

1 cup chopped cherry tomatoes (or any ripe tomatoes)

2 tbsp white sesame seeds

1 tbsp nutritional yeast

2 tbsp gochujang

250 g silken tofu

1 tsp black pepper powder

2–3 cups cooked pasta (penne, fusilli, or spaghetti work well)

1–2 tbsp rice vinegar, to taste

1 tbsp maple syrup or other plant-based sweetener

Salt, to taste

Method

1. Slow-roast the garlic

Heat oil in a pan or saucepan over low heat. Add whole garlic cloves and cook gently until soft and golden. (You may chop the garlic to speed this up, but slow-roasting gives the best flavor.)

2. Toast the sesame seeds

Add sesame seeds to the pan and cook until lightly golden and aromatic.

3. Cook the tomatoes

Add chopped tomatoes and salt. Cook until they

soften, become jammy, and begin to release their skins.

4. Blend the sauce

Turn off the heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly. Transfer to a blender and blend with nutritional yeast, gochujang, black pepper, and silken tofu until completely smooth.

5. Finish the pasta

Return the blended sauce to the same pan. Add cooked pasta, rice vinegar, and maple syrup. Cook on medium heat for 3–4 minutes, stirring well until the pasta is fully coated and warmed through.

To Serve

Serve hot, optionally garnished with extra sesame seeds, cheese or chili oil. This pasta is creamy, satisfying, and delivers a solid protein boost, without any dairy.

Nutritional Information (per serving - recipe for two people)

Protein: 22–26 g

Total Fat: ~18 g

Mostly unsaturated fats from sesame seeds and plant-based oil

Carbohydrates: 45–50 g

Dietary Fiber: 6–8 g

Calcium: ~25% of daily value

Iron: ~20% of daily value

Cholesterol: 0 mg

💪🏽Why This Pasta Is Nutrient-Dense

Silken tofu provides complete plant protein and calcium

Nutritional yeast adds B vitamins and savory umami flavor

Garlic & tomatoes contribute antioxidants and gut-supportive compounds

Sesame seeds supply healthy fats, iron, and minerals

Please check out our website for more plant-based and flavorful recipes