This recipe has 4 photos. View Photos Add a photo to Mac & (I Can't Believe It's Not) Cheese with Tofu & Peas Photo by ShannonVirgo Photo by ShannonVirgo Photo by ShannonVirgo Photo by ShannonVirgo

Add to: Recipe Box | Grocery List | Meal Planner

Recipe submitted by ShannonVirgo, 10/21/09

Mac & (I Can't Believe It's Not) Cheese with Tofu & Peas

Ingredients (use vegan versions):

    13.25 ounces pasta (I use whole wheat Elbows or small/medium shells)
    2 pounds extra firm tofu, cut into small cubes
    8 ounces vegan cheddar "cheese" (best if you use "Follow your heart" brand)
    1 frozen bag or 1 can of peas (about 2 cups) (I use organic Cascadian farms frozen peas)
    1/2 cup vegan butter (I use Earth Balance)
    1/2 tablespoon black pepper
    1/2 tablespoon sea salt
    1/4 cup nutritional yeast
    2 tablespoons vegan "sour cream" (I use Tofutti)
    1 tablespoon mustard (can use 1/2 tablespoon mustard powder instead)
    1 cup vegan soy creamer (or plain soymilk)
    1/2 cup vegan breadcrumbs (I use Ians panko breadcrumbs)
    1 tablespoon paprika (as much as it takes to sprinkle on top of dish)
    5 ounces vegan "bacon" (I use one box of "Lightlife" Smart Bacon)

Directions:

These are pretty close measurements. However, I don't measure when I am cooking, I just "eyeball" it. So, feel free to play around with it and put more or less to your liking. 

1) Boil macaroni in a large pot. While the pasta is cooking, put some of the vegan butter in a frying pan, then add tofu. Fry tofu, until cooked to your liking.

2) Once pasta is done cooking and tofu is fried, drain pasta, then dump pasta back into the pot. Add tofu in with the pasta.

3) Chop up or shred "cheese", add to pot. Add all the ingredients, besides the last three (breadcrumbs, paprika & smart "bacon") into the pot, mix all together.

4) Put into a casserole dish and top with breadcrumbs, then paprika, and last the "bacon." You may want to add some more silk creamer/milk if it doesn't seam creamy enough for you. Or you can also add in some veggie broth.

5) Bake in oven at 385 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 to 20 minutes. Long enough for everything to melt together. Enjoy!

Notes:
*You can make this with broccoli instead of peas, it's very delicious too!
*can make without the "bacon". I think it gives it that extra kick though!
*You can always sprinkle some more "cheese" on top too!

Source of recipe: My recipe; I was playing around in the kitchen, and this is what I came up with!

Makes: 4 to 6 Servings, Preparation time: 15 minutes., Cooking time: 15 to 20 minutes.