Okay so I know I said I was going to dedicate this month to a salad series but I am interrupting the regular programming for a salad inspired pasta! Yes you heard that right. This pasta dish does not taste like a salad in the slightest but it does kind of look like one. It’s so green! And also is packed with tons of greens and protein. 

As a breastfeeding mama and woman who enjoys working out, I am always looking for ways to add protein into my meals to support my active lifestyle. This recipe simple but shockingly stacked protein heavy pasta dish came from none other than Kendall Toole, previously of Peloton, now fitness influencer(?) and I was initially flabbergasted by the recipe. How could tofu, spinach, and cashews taste good as a pasta sauce? Well I am here to tell you it’s awesome. So awesome I have been making batches for myself as another go-to grab-able snack in the fridge. Who doesn’t love guilt-free pasta as a snack? And this is coming from someone who famously doesn’t love pasta! 

It’s savory, it’s hearty, it’s delightfully colorful and it’s a powerful addition to your weekly meal plan if you are trying to up your protein intake like I am. Whether you are trying to build muscle, lose weight, breastfeed, don’t eat meat and are looking for protein-forward dishes, or just maintain a well-balanced diet, this is a unique recipe worth trying. 

INGREDIENTS

1 box chickpea pasta

1 bag of spinach (approx. 8 oz)

1 block of firm tofu (approx. 10 oz)

¼ cup cashews

2 tbsp. nutritional yeast

¼ cup feta

¼ cup pasta water (saved after cooking pasta)

4 cloves garlic

Salt, pepper, & red chili flakes

Serving Size: 4

INSTRUCTIONS

• Boil and drain the pasta per the box instructions, saving ¼ cup for the sauce. 
• While the pasta is cooking, wilt the spinach in a large pan (approx. 2-3 minutes). 
• Transfer the wilted spinach to a blender and add the tofu, cashews, nutritional yeast, and feta. Season with salt, pepper, and red chili flakes. Then blend until combined. 
• Add a bit of the pasta water to lighten the sauce. 
• Gently mix the cooked pasta and sauce back in the large pan on low heat. 
• Enjoy!