Description
This Gochujang Carbonara (Vegan) features a rich, creamy sauce made from cashews and smoky tofu, making it a delightful option for a quick dinner or a comforting meal at home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup cashews
- 4 oz super firm tofu
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt, to taste
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 3 scallions, whites only
- 1 shallot, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- Black pepper, to taste
- 3 tablespoons gochujang
- 12 oz spaghetti
- Vegan parmesan, to taste
- Black salt, to taste
- Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
- Reserved scallion greens, for garnish
Instructions
- Soak the cashews in boiling water for at least 20 minutes to soften.
- Cube the tofu into small pieces and marinate with soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup, liquid smoke, smoked paprika, and salt for 10 minutes.
- Sauté scallion whites, minced shallot, and garlic in oil until softened, then remove from heat.
- Drain the cashews and blend with sautéed aromatics, water, nutritional yeast, black pepper, and gochujang until smooth.
- Cook the marinated tofu in oil until deeply browned and crispy, then set aside.
- Boil salted water and cook spaghetti until al dente, reserving 2 cups of pasta water before draining.
- Combine cooked pasta with carbonara sauce and vegan parmesan, adding reserved pasta water gradually until creamy.
- Season with black salt and additional seasoning as necessary.
- Serve pasta topped with crispy tofu, sesame seeds, basil, and scallion greens.
Notes
For extra creaminess, adjust the reserved pasta water to your preference.
Black salt provides an egg-like flavor; use regular salt if unavailable.
Ensure to use super firm tofu for the best texture in this dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 31g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 19g
- Cholesterol: 0mg