garlic "cream" sauce

Although I'd love to make every meal from scratch, when we're too wiped out to make an event out of dinner we often boil some boxed pasta and serve it with vegetables and sauce. There are some good options from brands like Muir Glen and Amy's if you're looking for a vegan organic sauce at the supermarket, but making your own pasta sauce can be so simple and inexpensive that I have a hard time justifying spending $5+ on a jar of pureed tomatoes and herbs. Tomato sauce lends its self to so many easy variations that we often stick with this staple at our house. Yet, sometimes pasta night calls for something a little different, a little richer and creamier. The following recipe is so simple, you don't even need to get out the blender.

Tofutti's Better than Cream Cheese provides the perfect base for this "cream" sauce. Even big box supermarkets carry Tofutti, so you won't have to make a special trip to the health food store if you don't typically shop there. You can read about all of Tofutti's yummy, dairy-free products on their website here. The addition of nutritional yeast, onion powder, and oregano creates a completely different flavor profile that the plain Tofutti, and the soymilk makes for a perfect consistency. This sauce works really well if you're planning to add mushrooms, spinach, or asparagus to your pasta, but it's also delicious if you simply top the pasta with fresh basil.

Garlic "Cream" Sauce

2-3 Cloves of Garlic, minced
2 Tbs Tofutti Better than Cream Cheese (use the non-hydrogenated plain variety in the yellow tub)
3 Tbs Plain Light Organic Soymilk
1 tsp Nutritional Yeast
1/2 tsp Oregano
1/4 tsp Onion Powder
1/4 tsp Pepper
Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Saute garlic in olive oil for 1-2 minutes on med-low heat.
Whisk in all remaining ingredients until combined and smooth.
Heat for an additional 5 minutes.
Serve over organic whole wheat pasta and sprinkle with fresh organic basil.

This recipe makes one large serving.
Nutritional Information for Garlic "Cream" Sauce:
Calories: 118.0
Total Fat: 12.5 g
Saturated Fat: 3.0 g
Sodium: 143.0 mg
Total Carbs: 7.9g
Dietary Fiber: 1.0 g
Sugars: 1.4 g
Protein: 4.1g