This Vegan Carbonara is inspired by the traditional Italian dish - with a Vegan Carbonara Sauce that is both creamy and eggy and served with delicious smoked tofu bacon bits.
Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Prepare the vegan bacon pieces
Cut your smoked tofu into tiny cubes.
Heat the olive oil in a non-stick skillet and sauté the tofu cubes for a few minutes until crispy on all sides.
Drizzle in the tamari and stir to evenly coat the tofu cubes.
Remove from the heat after 1-2 minutes or once the tamari has started to caramelize. Set aside until ready to serve.
Create the Carbonara Sauce
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the finely sliced shallots and a pinch of salt and sauté for 2-3 minutes, or until softened.
Add the crushed garlic and sauté for another 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant.
Add the white miso paste, nutritional yeast, chickpea flour and black salt (kala namak) and give everything a brief stir to combine, then
Pour in the dairy-free cream, then Heat whilst stirring regularly until the vegan Carbonara Sauce thickens.
Add the cooked pasta to the pan with the sauce and toss until the pasta is coated in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of plant-based milk or a cup of pasta water to thin it out.
Remove from the heat and season to taste with black pepper.
Serving
Serve the vegan carbonara pasta with the smoked tofu on top and garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
Here are the most important notes for making this Vegan Spaghetti Carbonara:
Store leftover vegan carbonara in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of plant milk or water to help loosen the sauce.
Adjust the flavor of the sauce to your personal preference by adding ingredients like mustard, smoked paprika powder, lemon juice, or more nutritional yeast
Opt for whole wheat or gluten-free pasta alternatives for a healthier option
Use fresh parsley as a final garnish to add a pop of color and freshness to the dish
Try adding some roasted vegetables, such as roasted tomatoes or eggplant, for an extra burst of flavor
Use silken tofu instead of dairy-free cream for a lighter and healthier alternative
Experiment with different herbs and spices, such as rosemary or smoked paprika, to add more depth of flavor to the dish.
Prepare the smoked tofu bacon before starting the sauce to save time.
Adjust the thickness of the sauce by adding more or less pasta water.
Use black pepper to season the dish right before serving for the best flavor.
If you don't have white miso paste, you can substitute it with nutritional yeast or soy sauce.
The estimated calories per serving for this vegan spaghetti carbonara recipe would depend on the specific brands and amounts of ingredients used.
To make the dish gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta such as brown rice pasta or quinoa pasta.