Yahoo Lifestyle The Secret Ingredient for Creamy Jarred Pasta Sauce Without Adding Cream
Jarred pasta sauce is a lifesaver when you need dinner on the table fast, but let’s be real—sometimes it needs a little help. Ever taken a bite and thought that it's a bit too tangy? That’s because a lot of store-bought sauces lean way acidic from all the tomatoes. Luckily, it’s super easy to fix.
A pinch of sugar can balance the acidity, or if you want to get fancy, a splash of heavy cream turns it into a rich, silky tomato cream sauce. Even a spoonful of butter melts right in and makes everything taste smoother.
And sometimes, a jarred sauce just needs a little oomph. Brown some garlic in olive oil before adding the sauce, and toss in Italian seasoning or even a spoonful of pesto for extra flavor.
Want it even heartier? Stir in a dollop of ricotta for a creamy upgrade, or melt in some Parmesan. Basically, think of jarred sauce as a base—good on its own, but so much better with a few at-home tweaks. Doctoring it up makes it taste homemade, and no one has to know you didn’t spend hours simmering it on the stove.
And although we've done a lot of things to jazz up our jarred pasta sauce, we recently ran across a new-to-us tip on Reddit for creating creamy pasta sauce without a drop of cream: just add silken tofu. Here's what you need to know. This tip from Simply Recipes is another great way to add in some protein and make your sauce creamier without adding cream.
Related: The Secret Ingredient for Making Jarred Pasta Sauce Taste Like It Came From an Italian Restaurant
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Why You Should Add Silken Tofu to Your Jarred Pasta Sauce
As my nights get busier and busier, I admit that start to crave spaghetti—it’s easy, comforting, and let’s be honest, the kids always eat it without complaints and I definitely need that easy win when I'm tired.
But as a mom of six trying to keep weeknight dinners both fast and balanced, I know spaghetti alone isn’t exactly a protein powerhouse—and it doesn't always have the homemade taste everyone loves.
That's where this great one-ingredient upgrade comes in. By blending silken tofu right into the sauce you add a creamy flavor and a rich texture, as well as a hit of protein. The protein content of silken tofu varies by brand, but a good estimate is about 9 grams of protein for a half cup of silken tofu.
Related: Is It Safe To Eat Tofu Every Day? Registered Dietitians Explain
What Is Silken Tofu?
You might think of tofu as a stand-alone plant-based protein, but the soy-based ingredient comes in many forms and textures: silken, soft, firm, extra firm and more. Firm or extra-firm tofu is great for marinating in your favorite sauces and then baking or frying for a protein-rich main dish. Silken tofu has a much softer texture, which makes it better for blending into sauces and desserts.
One of the best things about tofu is its neutral flavor. It will absorb any flavors you add to it and in the case of this sauce, its primary role is to add creamy body and richness. Look for tofu near the cheese and dairy in the supermarket's refrigerated section. If you can't find silken tofu there, look in the Asian foods section. Because silken tofu is often sold in aseptic boxes, it can be shelf-stable.
Related: 40 Plant-Based Tofu Recipes Even Meat Lovers Will Enjoy
How to Add Silken Tofu to Your Jarred Pasta Sauce
To add tofu to your jarred marinara, just blend one block of silken tofu with a jar of tomato sauce, heat it up and toss it with whatever noodles you want. You can also add chicken, sausage or ground beef to bulk it (and add even more protein) or you can serve it as-is for a quick and easy vegan dinner.
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