by Roxy + Ben

Leek + Courgette Spaghetti With Tofu ‘Bacon’ Recipe

The perfect vegan mid-week recipe by Roxy & Ben. A comforting twist on a classic pasta dish, combining silky leek and courgette spaghetti with a creamy plant-based sauce. Finished with smoky tofu ‘bacon’, it's packed with flavour, texture and feel-good ingredients.

Ingredients

For the tofu ‘bacon’

  • 200g extra-firm smoked tofu, diced
  • 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 1 tbsp tomato purée
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1/2 tbsp olive oil

For the pasta

  • 1/2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 leek, sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves, peeled + finely chopped
  • 1 courgette, grated
  • salt + pepper
  • 160g spaghetti
  • 150g silken tofu
  • 120ml / 1/2 cup plant-based milk, we use oat (see notes)
  • 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 1/2 lemon, zest + juice

Method

  • Preheat the oven to 200°C fan / 220°C / 425°F and line a baking tray with baking paper.
  • For the tofu ‘bacon’, add the diced tofu to a bowl with the nutritional yeast, tomato purée, garlic powder, soy sauce and olive oil. Stir well to combine, then spread out evenly on the lined tray.
  • Bake for 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  • Meanwhile, for the pasta, heat the olive oil in a large pan over a medium heat. Add the leek and cook for 5 minutes until soft, without browning.
  • Add the garlic and cook for a minute, then stir in the grated courgette and a pinch of salt. Cook for another 5-6 minutes until just before the courgette begins to brown.
  • Meanwhile, cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente.
  • Add the silken tofu, plant-based milk, nutritional yeast, lemon zest and lemon juice to a jar. Blend until smooth using an immersion blender, or use a regular blender if you don't have one.
  • Pour the sauce into the pan with the leek and courgette, then use tongs to transfer the cooked spaghetti directly into the pan, adding splashes of pasta water as you go.
  • Stir well and heat through for a minute or so. The sauce should be loose but not runny - add more pasta water if needed, then season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • To serve, divide the pasta between bowls and top with the tofu bacon.