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Vegan Creamy Cajun Pasta with Crisp Breaded tofu. Nut-free Creamy Cajun Spice Sauce with Farfalle and Breaded Tofu. 23 Gm of Protein.Vegan Nut-free Recipe. Soy-free option. Easily oil-free Jump to Recipe

Vegan Creamy Cajun Pasta with Crisp Breaded tofu in a black skillet

My Cajun blend gets used up quickly right after my garam masala and berbere blends. Its a versatile blend that works in many types of meals. This Creamy Pasta Sauce has the cajun blend for a smoky delicious flavor profile. The sauce is creamy, fluffy and is made with tofu. I have started to make more Tofu sauces(Lemon Asparagus Pasta) as they are so much quicker than cashew sauces. They also amp up the protein in the meal!

The peppers and onions add flavor. I top the pasta with a smoky breaded tofu. You can use other toppings such as roasted cauliflower or veggies, or chickpeas or vegan meat subs. Or just serve as is! See Recipe notes for tofu-free option.

Vegan Creamy Cajun Pasta with Crisp Breaded tofu in a white bowl

Ingredients for Vegan Creamy Cajun Pasta

  • The Creamy Cajun Sauce has garlic, onion, mushrooms, peppers as the aromatics.
  • The creamy sauce portion uses tofu, non dairy milk, onion powder, cajun spice blend, miso and optional nutritional yeast
  • Farfalle is the pasta of choice
  • The Tofu is tossed in soy sauce, paprika, herbs, garlic, water and cornstarch mixture.
  • Breading uses breadcrumbs and onion flakes

How to Make Vegan Creamy Cajun Pasta with Breaded Tofu

Mix the soy sauce, herbs, spices, cornstarch, lime and oil in a shallow bowl. Coat each slice of the Tofu and let is sit to marinate for 10-15 mins.

ingredients for the tofu marinade in bowls

Marinated Tofu in a White Bowl

Meanwhile, cook the pasta and prep the sauce. In another shallow bowl mix breadcrumbs, onion flakes and salt. Coat each tofu slice in the breadcrumb mixture, Then pan fry for 4 to 5 mins each side or bake for 25 mins.

Breaded Tofu in a white bowl

Crispy Breaded Tofu

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for a few seconds, add onion and mix and cook for a minute. Add bell pepper and mushrooms and a good pinch of salt and cook until golden.

Ingredients for our Vegan Cream Cajun Pasta Sauce in Bowls

Our Vegan Cream Cajun Pasta Sauce in a bleender

Meanwhile, blend the rest of the ingredients (tofu through miso) until smooth. Add this to the skillet and mix well. Bring to a boil. Taste and adjust flavor with more salt and cajun spice if needed.

Onion and pepper for our creamy cajun pasta sauce

Onion and pepper for our creamy cajun pasta sauce

Our Creamy Cajun Pasta Sauce in a skillet

Fold in the cooked farfalle and toss to coat. Switch off heat. Cover and let sit for 2 mins. Serve slice sliced breaded tofu, chopped tomato, pepper flakes and cilantro.

Can I make the pasta sauce without Tofu?

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 for soy-free.

Where is all the Protein coming from?

There is protein in the sauce with the tofu, and protein in the wheat based pasta, and the breaded tofu

Our Creamy Cajun Pasta Sauce with farfalle in a skillet

More Pastas

Vegan Creamy Cajun Pasta with Crisp Breaded tofu in a white bowl

Vegan Creamy Cajun Pasta with Breaded tofu.

4.95 from 39 votes
By: Vegan Richa
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 40 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: fusion
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

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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

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this recipe? Rate and comment below!

 

About Richa

Hi, I'm Richa! I create flavorful plant based recipes that are inspired by my Indian upbringing, including many gluten-free, soy-free, and oil-free options.

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4.95 from 39 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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93 Comments

  1. novajen says:

    5 stars
    Excellent! My husband isn’t vegan and had his own cajun alfredo, but ate mine instead because it was so good!

    1. Vegan Richa Support says:

      wow! great to hear

  2. Chalisa says:

    Looks amazing, making tonight!

    1. Vegan Richa Support says:

      let me know how you like it

  3. Kristen says:

    5 stars
    Yummy! I’ve shared this link with my vegan friends online. More please! I love your cookbooks!

    1. Vegan Richa Support says:

      Awesome – thank you for your support and enthusiasm

  4. Joe says:

    5 stars
    This is awesome! I recommend not cooking this on an empty stomach cause it’ll drive you crazy. Thank you!

  5. Wendy says:

    5 stars
    Hi – we loved this recipe! No real changes to adapt it further, creamy, tasty and very satisfying! Added extra salt and acid (dash of vinegar/lime) to the sauce and a side of broccoli!

    1. Vegan Richa Support says:

      yum

      1. Heather says:

        I detest mushrooms, any recommendations on a switch for them?

        1. Richa says:

          Omit them

  6. Ally says:

    5 stars
    Delicious! Love this recipe. I added a lot more nutritional yeast and seasonings than called for. Will make again.

  7. Kristin T. says:

    This sounds fantastic! Could unsweetened coconut milk be used?

    1. Vegan Richa Support says:

      I don’t see why not

  8. Nikki says:

    5 stars
    This was amazing, love the breaded tofu. Made it on my Gotham steel copper crisper and you don’t have to flip it over. My new fav

    1. Vegan Richa Support says:

      Excellent – sounds fancy

  9. Jessica Hmiel says:

    5 stars
    This was DELICIOUS! I made it one night and had enough breaded tofu left, that my husband asked for it the next night as well. I only had one firm tofu and one silken tofu, so I used the firm for the breaded portion, and the silken for the sauce, and it worked well! Very simple yet flavorful dish.

    1. Vegan Richa Support says:

      amazing – thank you for your feedback

  10. Ally says:

    5 stars
    Very delicious a new fav of mine!!

    1. Vegan Richa Support says:

      thank YOU for the great feedback!