Crispy Tofu in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Dinner
Crispy Tofu in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Dinner is a 20-minute, better-than-takeout meal. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to perfectly crispy tofu every time. The golden, crispy tofu in a rich, creamy sauce is irresistible. Try it with my Creamy Coconut Chicken Brothy Rice Recipe for Dinner. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Creamy Coconut Chicken Brothy Rice Recipe for Dinner and Easy Baked Stuffed Apples with Oats and Cinnamon.
Why This Crispy Tofu in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Golden, crispy tofu that's perfectly seasoned
- Creamy sun-dried tomato sauce that's rich and flavorful
- Easy, 20-minute recipe that's better than takeout
- Versatile dish that pairs well with rice or noodles
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
- Canned coconut milk
- Soy sauce
- Maple syrup
- Smoked paprika
- Red pepper flakes
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Optional: Fresh basil
- Optional: Toasted pine nuts
- Optional: Vegan parmesan
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Tofu: Press tofu before frying to remove excess water and achieve crispiness.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Tofu Press — Removes excess water for crispy tofu → See on Amazon
- Non-stick Skillet — Even searing and no sticking → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Tofu in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Dinner
- Press tofu: Wrap tofu in paper towels and press out excess water. Cut into cubes.
- Fry tofu: Fry tofu cubes in a single layer until golden and crispy. Set aside.
- Sauté onions and garlic: Sauté onions and garlic until softened.
- Blend sauce: Blend sun-dried tomatoes, coconut milk, soy sauce, maple syrup, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Simmer sauce: Simmer sauce for 5 minutes. Add fried tofu and coat in sauce.
- Serve: Serve crispy tofu in creamy sun-dried tomato sauce over rice or noodles. Top with fresh basil, toasted pine nuts, and vegan parmesan.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Tofu in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: To prevent soggy tofu, make sure to press excess water out before frying.
- Pro tip: For a smoother sauce, blend the ingredients until completely smooth before simmering.
- Pro tip: To make this recipe gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Pro tip: For a spicier dish, add more red pepper flakes or serve with hot sauce.
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: Prepare sauce ahead of time and reheat with crispy tofu when ready to serve.
Freezing Crispy Tofu in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Dinner
Freeze sauce separately for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat with crispy tofu.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker sauce, use sun-dried tomatoes in oil and omit the soaking step.
- Best substitution: Use firm or extra-firm silken tofu for a similar texture.
- Make-ahead: Press tofu and prepare sauce ahead of time. Fry tofu and reheat sauce when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little water or vegetable broth.
Want to level up this recipe?
Immersion Blender — Easy blending for smooth sauce → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Tofu in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Extra-firm tofu
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Garlic
- Onion
- Canned coconut milk
Seasonings
- Soy sauce
- Maple syrup
- Smoked paprika
- Red pepper flakes
- Salt
- Black pepper
Optional Toppings
- Fresh basil
- Toasted pine nuts
- Vegan parmesan
Instructions
- Press tofu: Wrap tofu in paper towels and press out excess water. Cut into cubes.
- Fry tofu: Fry tofu cubes in a single layer until golden and crispy. Set aside.
- Sauté onions and garlic: Sauté onions and garlic until softened.
- Blend sauce: Blend sun-dried tomatoes, coconut milk, soy sauce, maple syrup, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Simmer sauce: Simmer sauce for 5 minutes. Add fried tofu and coat in sauce.
- Serve: Serve crispy tofu in creamy sun-dried tomato sauce over rice or noodles. Top with fresh basil, toasted pine nuts, and vegan parmesan.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a quicker sauce, use sun-dried tomatoes in oil and omit the soaking step.
- Best substitution: Use firm or extra-firm silken tofu for a similar texture.
- Make-ahead: Press tofu and prepare sauce ahead of time. Fry tofu and reheat sauce when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little water or vegetable broth.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze sauce separately for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat with crispy tofu.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Make ahead: Prepare sauce ahead of time and reheat with crispy tofu when ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 22g
- Carbs: 18g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sat. Fat: 12g
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, press tofu and prepare sauce ahead of time. Fry tofu and reheat sauce when ready to serve.
Make sure to press excess water out of the tofu before frying. Also, fry tofu in a single layer and don't overcrowd the pan.
Freeze sauce separately for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat with crispy tofu.
Yes, air fry tofu at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
Serve this recipe over rice, noodles, or with a side of steamed vegetables.
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!
