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 discovered the trick to getting the tofu perfectly crispy is to pat it dry and press it before cooking. The creamy sun-dried tomato sauce is rich, tangy, and full of flavor, making this dish a family favorite. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Strawberry Earthquake Cake Recipe for Dessert Lovers and Easy Honey Garlic Shrimp Recipe Ready in 30 Minutes.
Why This Crispy Tofu in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Golden crispy tofu in every bite
- Rich, creamy, and tangy sun-dried tomato sauce
- Ready in just 20 minutes
- Better than takeout and family-approved
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
- Cream
- Vegetable broth
- Cornstarch
- Salt
- Pepper
- Paprika
- Oregano
- Basil
- Red pepper flakes
- Optional: Fresh basil
- Optional: Parmesan cheese
- Optional: Balsamic glaze
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Tofu: Press the tofu before cooking to remove excess water and make it crispy.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Tofu Press — Puts the perfect crispy texture on your tofu every time. → See on Amazon
- Immersion Blender — Makes the creamy sun-dried tomato sauce smooth and velvety. → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Tofu in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Dinner
- Press and cut tofu: Drain and press the tofu to remove excess water. Cut it into cubes.
- Cook tofu: Cook the tofu cubes in a pan with a bit of oil until golden and crispy. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Make the sauce: Sauté onion and garlic, add sun-dried tomatoes, vegetable broth, and seasonings. Simmer and blend until smooth. Stir in cream and cornstarch mixture.
- Combine and serve: Add the crispy tofu back into the pan with the sauce. Toss to coat. Serve over pasta or rice and top with fresh basil and parmesan cheese.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Tofu in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking the tofu. Cook it in batches if needed to ensure it gets crispy.
- Substitution: You can substitute the sun-dried tomatoes with fresh tomatoes if you prefer.
- Make-ahead: The sauce can be made ahead of time and reheated when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
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 when ready to serve.
Freezing Crispy Tofu in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Dinner
This dish does not freeze well due to the cream in the sauce.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Pressing the tofu is key to getting it crispy. Don't skip this step.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the sun-dried tomatoes with fresh tomatoes if you prefer.
- Make-ahead: The sauce can be made ahead of time and reheated when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a bit more vegetable broth. If it's too thin, simmer it for a bit longer to reduce.
Want to level up this recipe?
Cast Iron Skillet — Gives the tofu the perfect sear and helps the sauce thicken beautifully. → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Tofu in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Extra firm tofu
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Garlic
- Onion
- Cream
- Vegetable broth
- Cornstarch
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
- Paprika
- Oregano
- Basil
- Red pepper flakes
Optional Toppings
- Fresh basil
- Parmesan cheese
- Balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Press and cut tofu: Drain and press the tofu to remove excess water. Cut it into cubes.
- Cook tofu: Cook the tofu cubes in a pan with a bit of oil until golden and crispy. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Make the sauce: Sauté onion and garlic, add sun-dried tomatoes, vegetable broth, and seasonings. Simmer and blend until smooth. Stir in cream and cornstarch mixture.
- Combine and serve: Add the crispy tofu back into the pan with the sauce. Toss to coat. Serve over pasta or rice and top with fresh basil and parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Chef tip: Pressing the tofu is key to getting it crispy. Don't skip this step.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the sun-dried tomatoes with fresh tomatoes if you prefer.
- Make-ahead: The sauce can be made ahead of time and reheated when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, thin it out with a bit more vegetable broth. If it's too thin, simmer it for a bit longer to reduce.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: This dish does not freeze well due to the cream in the sauce.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Make ahead: The sauce can be made ahead of time and reheated when ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 22g
- Carbs: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 60mg
- 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, the sauce can be made ahead of time and reheated when ready to serve.
The tofu may have been overcrowded in the pan or not pressed long enough. Try cooking it in batches and pressing it for longer.
Yes, you can cook the tofu in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes or until golden and crispy.
You can substitute the sun-dried tomatoes with fresh tomatoes if you prefer.
Yes, this dish is hearty and comforting, perfect for a Thanksgiving side dish.
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!
