Two years in a row, I have made my husband Noodles & Company mac & cheese rip-offs for his birthday. Last year, I did Truffle Mac, and this year, I did a vegetarian version of their BBQ Pork Mac & Cheese recipe.
I don't really know how this became a thing for us, but I guess it has. I don't think anyone can beat us when it comes to nonsensical traditions to mark important occasions, which is okay with us, because mac & cheese is far superior to sappy greeting cards anyway.
This item isn't always on the Noodles & Company menu, but when it was, we were intrigued. We wondered if they could sub out the pork for tofu, but neither of us wanted to be that person, so we didn't ask.
For months, I promised I would try to make a meatless version at home. When tackling this recipe myself, I knew that I couldn't just use any kind of tofu - it had to be baked!
The last thing you want in your mac & cheese are soft cubes of tofu. Baked tofu has a firm, chewy texture because baking in the oven dries it out.
My Baked Barbecue Tofu recipe is one of the most popular posts on Oh My Veggies. It really is tofu for tofu haters!
Or at least people who think they hate tofu, because if you still hate it after it's been baked to chewy perfection and slathered in barbecue sauce, then you really do hate tofu and you can wear that label proudly. Or with shame. Whichever you prefer.
I tweaked the tofu recipe a little bit to make it work for this mac & cheese—I cut the tofu into smaller cubes and I skipped marinating it to save a little time.
Because I had a big block of smoked cheddar in the fridge, I used that instead of traditional cheddar, which made the finished dish even tastier.
Between the creamy mac & cheese and the chewy BBQ tofu, this is the kind of meal that will scratch any comfort food itch you might have.
A lot of vegetarians miss the smoky flavor of some meats, like bacon, and if you fall into that camp, this recipe is for you.
Oh, and if you need something to serve alongside this recipe, be sure to check out these vegan baked beans too!
Ingredients
- 1 14 oz package extra-firm tofu
- ½ cup barbecue sauce divided
- 8 oz elbow macaroni cooked according to package
- 2 cups reduced-fat milk
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cup shredded smoked cheddar cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut the tofu into 1-inch cubes. Transfer it to a bowl and toss it with ¼ cup of the barbecue sauce, then place it on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake the tofu for 20–30 minutes, or until it's browned on the edges, stirring halfway through cooking time. Put the tofu back in the bowl and toss it with the remaining barbecue sauce.
- While the tofu is baking, start the mac & cheese. Heat the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until warm, then reduce heat to low. Stir occasionally to prevent film from forming.
- In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk it into the butter. Continue to whisk until the mixture is golden brown, 3–5 minutes.
- Slowly pour the warmed milk into the flour mixture, whisking constantly. Once the sauce is smooth, let it continue to cook until it's slightly thickened, about 3 minutes, continuing to whisk constantly.
- Remove the sauce from heat and whisk in the smoked cheddar. Fold in the macaroni, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Divide the mac & cheese into 4 bowls, then top each one with ¼ of the baked tofu.
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
Is it wrong to want to dive head first into that bowl?
Kiersten Frase says
If that's wrong, I don't wanna be right.
Kelli @ The Corner Kitchen says
This mac & cheese is pure comfort food heaven!! Looks so creamy & perfect!
Millie says
Love the look of the smoked tofu! Seems divine!
Julia Mueller says
I'm all about a nonsensical tradition, especially if it involves mac n cheese! I've never been to a Noodles & Company (can you hear me pouting all the way from the West coast?) but I'd bury my face in your version of the mac any ol' day!
Kiersten Frase says
Oh man, you need to seek one out because Noodles is AWESOME. It's like traveling the world. In noodles. Or something.
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says
That macaroni cheese looks amaaaaazing! Super duper creamy. I'm still not the biggest fan of tofu but I love that you added a protein element to a dish that's usually pure carbs + fat (not that I'm complaining!)
Kiersten Frase says
Yeah, I get why tofu can be a hard sell. It took me a long time to warm up to it!
Katie (The Muffin Myth) says
Seriously Kiersten, just stop it!!! Smoked cheddar is one of my favourite things on this entire earth EVER. And you've gone and done a bbq tofu topped mac n cheese? Well stick a fork in me.
Kiersten Frase says
I LOVE smoked cheddar too. But I kind of love smoked anything…
Elisa @ Insalata di Sillabe says
I don't really like tofu, even if I've never tried it baked sooooo…maybe you're right, I'll completely change my mind about it after trying! Anyway I think this mac & cheese would be perfect even on its own, you had me at the "smoked cheddar"!
xo, Elisa
Kiersten Frase says
If you try it baked and you still don't like it, then you officially don't like tofu. 🙂 But a lot of people have changed their mind after baking it!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
I LOVE the sound of this!! I am a big-time bbq tofu lover, and I can only imagine how tasty it is in mac and cheese. Thanks for sharing!
lisacng @ expandng.com says
I love tofu, even plain!!!! Hehe. But I never thought to bake it! Tks!
Ala says
Tofu on my mac 'n cheese--this is AWESOME! That flavor profile is perfect and I can't believe I've never considered making anything comparable. Thank you for sharing this, I'm excited to try it for our next host dinner!
Kiersten Frase says
I hope you like it!
Allison B says
Smoked cheddar mac and cheese???? How could that go wrong?
Kiersten Frase says
It definitely can't. 🙂
[email protected] says
This is such a unique take on mac and cheese?! Who can think of putting tofu in mac and cheese but you girl?!! Loving it!
Kiersten Frase says
Ha! Well, I used to go to a restaurant where they had a chicken mac & cheese and I asked them to substitute tofu in it instead and magic happened, so I knew it would work. As long as the tofu is baked so the texture is chewy and not slimy, it's good!
Olivia says
Tofu looks amaaaaazing. I want to eat this entire bowl right now!!! Great recipe 😉
How to Philosophize with Cake says
Woah, now this is making me hungry right now. 🙂 I have an ongoing love affair with homemade mac n cheese, will definitely have to try this variation ASAP.
Kiersten Frase says
Me too. I hoard homemade mac & cheese recipes - I have a ridiculous number of them that I've cut out of magazines over the years. But I guess hoarding mac & cheese recipes is better than hoarding dead roaches and empty yogurt containers.
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
That looks amazing! I love tofu and mac and cheese and can't wait to make this-yum just pinned it!
Jesse says
Thank You 🙂
Natalie @ Once Upon a Cutting Board says
This is the ultimate comfort food - I would love to be treated to it on my birthday! I forgot to tell you that I tried your baked bbq tofu for the first time the other week and it was so good! I always thought I didn't like tofu before and now I can't wait to make it all the time and use it in different dishes. This mac and cheese would be a good one to try next! Thanks!
Kiersten Frase says
Woo hoo! I'm glad it won you over. Adding barbecue sauce always helps! 🙂
Lisa says
The great thing about Noodles is that they actually encourage their customers to get wild with customizations! Their tofu is the best that I've had anywhere and I have tried many of their meat based dishes with it (I've even been known to ask for EXTRA tofu on occasion). This recipe looks fantastic and I can't wait to try it!
Kiersten Frase says
I am a huge fan of Noodles too. We used to live a few blocks away from one and ate there waaaay too often, but I never got tired of it. 🙂 The Japanese Pan Noodles are my favorite - always with tofu!
Joanne says
I tried to start a mac and cheese for Valentine's day tradition two years ago, but the.boy DOESN'T LIKE HOMEMADE MAC AND CHEESE. And there is no way I am making the blue box. So now I have a make all the mac and cheese and eat it myself tradition. It's awesome. I am loving how smoky the flavors in this are! Who would even miss the meat?!
Kiersten Frase says
Chris always thought he didn't like mac & cheese, but it turned out he had only had the boxed kind and THAT was what he didn't like. Now it's one of his favorite things. 🙂 But I like your tradition of eating it all yourself - that works too!
becca says
I have made tofu a million and one different ways, and this was definitely one of my favorites! So simple and the texture was awesome. The Mac and cheese was delicious as well, my grocery store didn't have smoked cheddar so I did half sharp cheddar and half smoked gouda, it was perfect 🙂 thanks for the recipe, it will definitely be made again!
gabrielle says
Love this recipe! I just made it for my family and my two year old had three bowls! My husband asked for seconds, and he asked that I keep this recipe in rotation! 😀 Thanks!
Kelley says
When I was a kid, my dad would cut up hot dogs in mac and cheese--you know, because you need protein. Maybe the kid will eat this!
Molly says
Thanks for the idea! I was looking for a way to use up some of my tofu and this hit the spot.