Crispy Tofu in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Dinner
Crispy tofu in creamy sun-dried tomato sauce is a quick and easy dinner recipe that’s better than takeout. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to getting the tofu perfectly crispy is to press it first. The result is a crispy exterior with a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth interior. The sun-dried tomato sauce is rich, tangy, and full of umami flavor. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Creamy Vegan Sun Dried Tomato Pasta and Creamy Pistachio Baklava Cheesecake Recipe.
Why This Crispy Tofu in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- The crispy tofu is coated in a savory seasoning and pan-fried until golden.
- The creamy sun-dried tomato sauce is rich, tangy, and full of umami flavor.
- This comforting meal is perfect for busy weeknights and can be made in just 30 minutes.
- It's a great source of plant-based protein and is easy to customize with your favorite vegetables.
What You'll Need for Crispy Tofu in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Dinner
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Extra firm tofu
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Garlic
- Onion
- Creamy sun-dried tomato sauce
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Optional: Fresh basil
- Optional: Red pepper flakes
- Optional: Vegan parmesan
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Tofu: Use extra firm tofu for the best texture.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Tofu Press — Pressing tofu removes excess water, making it crispy when cooked. → See on Amazon
- Food Processor — A food processor makes quick work of blending the sun-dried tomatoes into a smooth sauce. → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Tofu in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Dinner
- Press the tofu: Wrap the tofu in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and place it on a plate. Top with another plate and weigh it down with something heavy, like a cast iron skillet or a few cans. Let it press for at least 15 minutes to remove excess water.
- Prepare the tofu: Cut the tofu into cubes. In a shallow bowl, mix together the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Coat the tofu cubes in the seasoning mixture.
- Cook the tofu: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the tofu and cook until golden brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove the tofu from the skillet and set it aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes. Stir in the creamy sun-dried tomato sauce and bring to a simmer. Add the cooked tofu back to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce.
- Serve: Serve the crispy tofu in creamy sun-dried tomato sauce hot, garnished with fresh basil, red pepper flakes, and vegan parmesan if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Tofu in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: The #1 reason this recipe fails is using water-packed tofu instead of extra firm. To prevent this, always use extra firm tofu and press it well before cooking.
- Substitution: If you don't have sun-dried tomatoes, you can use tomato paste and a splash of balsamic vinegar to achieve a similar flavor.
- Make-ahead: This recipe can be made ahead of time and reheated in the oven or microwave. The tofu may lose some of its crispiness, but it will still be delicious.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd. Simply increase the ingredients proportionally.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Tofu in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Dinner
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: The sauce can be made ahead of time and reheated with the tofu when ready to serve.
Freezing Crispy Tofu in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Dinner
This recipe does not freeze well due to the creamy sauce.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For extra crispy tofu, you can coat it in cornstarch before adding the seasoning mixture.
- Best substitution: If you don't have sun-dried tomatoes, you can use tomato paste and a splash of balsamic vinegar to achieve a similar flavor.
- Make-ahead: This recipe can be made ahead of time and reheated in the oven or microwave. The tofu may lose some of its crispiness, but it will still be delicious.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd. Simply increase the ingredients proportionally.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little water or vegetable broth. If it's too thin, let it simmer for a few more minutes to reduce and thicken.
Want to level up this recipe?
Cast Iron Skillet — A cast iron skillet is perfect for cooking the tofu and making the sauce in one pan. It's also great for reheating leftovers. → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Tofu in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Extra firm tofu
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Garlic
- Onion
- Creamy sun-dried tomato sauce
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Seasonings
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red pepper flakes
Optional Toppings
- Fresh basil
- Red pepper flakes
- Vegan parmesan
Instructions
- Press the tofu: Wrap the tofu in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and place it on a plate. Top with another plate and weigh it down with something heavy, like a cast iron skillet or a few cans. Let it press for at least 15 minutes to remove excess water.
- Prepare the tofu: Cut the tofu into cubes. In a shallow bowl, mix together the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Coat the tofu cubes in the seasoning mixture.
- Cook the tofu: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the tofu and cook until golden brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove the tofu from the skillet and set it aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes. Stir in the creamy sun-dried tomato sauce and bring to a simmer. Add the cooked tofu back to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce.
- Serve: Serve the crispy tofu in creamy sun-dried tomato sauce hot, garnished with fresh basil, red pepper flakes, and vegan parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For extra crispy tofu, you can coat it in cornstarch before adding the seasoning mixture.
- Best substitution: If you don't have sun-dried tomatoes, you can use tomato paste and a splash of balsamic vinegar to achieve a similar flavor.
- Make-ahead: This recipe can be made ahead of time and reheated in the oven or microwave. The tofu may lose some of its crispiness, but it will still be delicious.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd. Simply increase the ingredients proportionally.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little water or vegetable broth. If it's too thin, let it simmer for a few more minutes to reduce and thicken.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: This recipe does not freeze well due to the creamy sauce.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.
- Make ahead: The sauce can be made ahead of time and reheated with the tofu when ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 22g
- Carbs: 22g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sat. Fat: 3g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Tofu in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Dinner FAQs
Yes, you can make the sauce ahead of time and reheat it with the tofu when ready to serve. The tofu may lose some of its crispiness, but it will still be delicious.
The #1 reason tofu turns out soggy is not pressing it well enough before cooking. Always press your tofu for at least 15 minutes to remove excess water.
This recipe does not freeze well due to the creamy sauce.
Yes, you can cook the tofu in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Then, toss it in the creamy sun-dried tomato sauce.
The best way to reheat this recipe is in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. The tofu may lose some of its crispiness, but it will still be delicious.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Tofu in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Dinner and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
