Bowl of creamy pumpkin and broccoli macaroni, topped with crispy bacon-style tofu

Protein Pumpkin Mac and Cheese with Bacon-Style Tofu

This creamy pumpkin mac and cheese is the kind of comforting meal you'll want to make all fall long. The pumpkin adds a smooth texture and a hint of sweetness that pairs perfectly with the cheesy, smoky flavour of the bacon-style tofu.

  • Prep10 min
  • Cook15 min
  • Total25 min
  • Servings4

The ingredients

  • 1 tsp vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 2 cups broccoli, cut into florets
  • 1 cup reduced-sodium vegetable broth
  • ¾ cup unsweetened soy milk
  • 1 pumpkin purée, 398 ml can
  • 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 ½ cups chickpea macaroni, raw
  • ¾ cup water
  • 1 cup vegan mozzarella cheese
  • 1 crispy bacon-style tofu, batch

The method

  1. In a large pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli and minced garlic, then cook for about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  2. Add the vegetable broth, soy milk, pumpkin purée, and spices. Mix well until combined.
  3. Add the chickpea macaroni and water. Stir, then cook the pasta according to the package instructions, stirring regularly to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
  4. Once the pasta is cooked, add the vegan mozzarella. Stir until fully melted and the sauce is nice and creamy.
  5. Divide the mac and cheese among plates, then top each portion with crispy bacon-style tofu (about 1/3 cup).

Storage tips

Keeps in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Nutrition facts

Per serving, for reference only.

  • 480Calories
  • 20 gFat
  • 49 gCarbs
  • 10 gFibre
  • 33 gProtein

Pumpkin provides beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A, along with fibre and several antioxidants.

Chickpea macaroni boosts your intake of plant-based protein and fibre, while also providing minerals like iron.

Tofu contains all the essential amino acids, making it an excellent source of plant-based protein.

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