A deliciously creamy and cheesy mac & cheese recipe made with a secret ingredient, tofu! This healthy Mac and cheese uses soft (silken) tofu as a creamy base that also happens to be high in protein, calcium and iron.
Tofu combined with two types of cheeses, plus just a few other simple ingredients creates the perfect, nutrient dense meal that the whole family will love.
Ingredients in Healthy Mac and Cheese
- Fusilli pasta, or pasta of choice
- 1 block (500 g) soft (silken) tofu
- Olive oil
- 1 shallot
- 4 large cloves garlic
- Red pepper flakes, black pepper
- Fresh spinach
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Sharp cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese
- Italian breadcrumbs
How to Make
- Start by cooking the pasta to al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside in a serving bowl.
- Blend the block of tofu using a food processor or blender until smooth, set aside.
- Heat a drizzle of the olive oil in a medium frying pan over medium heat and saute the shallot and garlic for 3 minutes until softened. Add in the red pepper flakes, black pepper, spinach, sundried tomatoes, the cheeses and the blended tofu. Stir and cook for 5-8 minutes until the cheese is melted, the spinach is wilted and the mixture is warmed through.
- While the cheese mixture cooks, heat a small frying pan over medium heat and add the breadcrumbs and about 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sauté on the frying pan for about 3-5 minutes until the breadcrumbs are golden brown.
- Pour the cheese mixture over the cooked pasta and mix to coat evenly, then sprinkle the toasted breadcrumbs over top.
Modifications to make it your own:
You can easily make this Mac and cheese recipe your own by substituting the vegetables, even the cheese to your liking!
Vegetable substitution ideas:
- Green peas
- Broccoli florets
- Chopped cauliflower
- Diced carrots
- Sliced bell peppers
- Celery
Browse more dinner ideas on the blog:
Such as this Sheet Pan Butternut Squash Soup, Stuffed Acorn Squash, or this Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad.
If you try this recipe, be sure to leave a star rating and review. Enjoy!
Healthy Mac & Cheese
A deliciously creamy and cheesy mac & cheese recipe made with a secret ingredient, tofu! This healthy Mac and cheese uses soft (silken) tofu as a creamy base that also happens to be high in protein, calcium and iron.
Ingredients
- 10 oz fusilli pasta, uncooked Or pasta of choice
- 1 block (500 g) soft (silken) tofu
- Drizzle olive oil Plus more for the breadcrumbs
- 1 shallot, small diced
- 4 large cloves garlic, minced
- Pinch each of red pepper flakes, black pepper
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 4 sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Start by cooking the pasta to al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside in a serving bowl.
- Blend the block of tofu using a food processor or blender until smooth, set aside.
- Heat a drizzle of the olive oil in a medium frying pan over medium heat and saute the shallot and garlic for 3 minutes until softened. Add in the red pepper flakes, black pepper, spinach, sundried tomatoes, the cheeses and the blended tofu. Stir and cook for 5-8 minutes until the cheese is melted, the spinach is wilted and the mixture is warmed through.
- While the cheese mixture cooks, heat a small frying pan over medium heat and add the breadcrumbs and about 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sauté on the frying pan for about 3-5 minutes until the breadcrumbs are golden brown.
- Pour the cheese mixture over the cooked pasta and mix to coat evenly, then sprinkle the toasted breadcrumbs over top. Enjoy!
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