Before You Dive Into This Delicious Recipe… 🍲

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High-Protein Creamy Slow Cooker Pasta

crock pot high protein Dec 19, 2025

High-Protein Creamy Slow Cooker Pasta
Total time: ~2 hours 40 minutes to 3 hours 10 minutes
Serves: 6 generous servings

This comforting, high-protein pasta gets its creaminess from tofu instead of dairy, making it rich, satisfying, and budget-friendly. Red lentils add even more plant protein and help thicken the sauce naturally. The key to perfect texture? Adding the pasta and tofu cream at the end so nothing gets mushy.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

High in plant-based protein
Creamy without cream
Slow cooker friendly
Customizable with any pasta, sauce, or veggies
Great for meal prep

Ingredients

1 cup dry red lentils, rinsed
1 jar (24 oz) favorite tomato sauce
2 cups vegetable broth
1 block (14 oz) firm or extra-firm tofu, divided
1 box pasta of choice (added later)
1 tablespoon salt-free seasoning blend
- or garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning to taste
½ cup nutritional yeast
2 cups water (for blending)
1–2 cups frozen vegetables (peas, spinach, broccoli, or mixed veggies)

Instructions

Start the slow cooker
Add the rinsed red lentils, tomato sauce, vegetable broth, and ½ block of tofu, crumbled by hand, to the crockpot.
Sprinkle in your seasoning of choice.
Cook
Cover and cook on HIGH for 2–3 hours, or until the red lentils are fully soft and breaking down.
Make the tofu cream
When the lentils are tender, add the remaining ½ block of tofu to a blender with 2 cups water and ½ cup nutritional yeast.
Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
Finish the dish
Pour the tofu cream into the slow cooker and stir well.
Add the dry pasta at this stage so it cooks without becoming soggy.
Continue cooking until pasta is just tender (usually 20–30 minutes, depending on pasta type).
Add veggies & serve
Stir in frozen vegetables at the very end to cool the dish slightly and keep them vibrant.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Tips & Variations

Use lentil, chickpea, or whole-grain pasta for extra protein
Add crushed red pepper for heat
Stir in fresh basil or parsley before serving
Thin with extra broth if needed after refrigeration

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. This dish thickens as it sits—just add a splash of water or broth when reheating.

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