Marry Me Tofu Recipe
Introduction
Marry Me Tofu is a creamy, flavorful dish that combines crispy tofu with a rich sun-dried tomato sauce. It’s a delightful plant-based meal that feels indulgent yet nourishing, perfect for any night of the week.
Ingredients
- 1 (14-oz.) block extra-firm tofu
- 4 garlic cloves, divided
- 4 cups water
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt, plus more
- 1 1/4 teaspoons dried oregano, divided
- 1 teaspoon plus a pinch crushed red pepper flakes, divided
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 1/4 cups (or more) heavy cream
- 1/3 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn, plus more for serving
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Drain the tofu and cut the block in half crosswise. Then cut each half into 1-inch pieces. Poke each piece with a fork and arrange them in a single layer in a 9″ x 9″ baking dish.
- Step 2: Peel and smash 2 garlic cloves and place them in a small saucepan. Add water, 2 tablespoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon oregano, and 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes. Bring this mixture to a boil, then pour the brine over the tofu. Let it sit for 20 minutes.
- Step 3: Line a baking sheet with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Remove tofu pieces from the brine one or two at a time and pat them dry on all sides using paper towels. Arrange on the prepared sheet, cover with more towels, and gently pat dry again without pressing too hard.
- Step 4: In a shallow bowl, mix cornstarch, onion powder, smoked paprika, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon oregano, 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt. Transfer tofu to this bowl and gently toss to coat evenly. Discard the paper towels used earlier. Set a wire rack over the baking sheet.
- Step 5: Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tofu pieces and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Transfer tofu to the wire rack and season with salt. Wipe out the skillet.
- Step 6: Finely chop the remaining 2 garlic cloves. In the same skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add chopped garlic, 1/4 teaspoon oregano, and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. Stir and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring, until it turns brick-red, about 30 seconds more. Stir in cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and grated Parmesan. Cook and stir until cheese is melted, about 2 minutes.
- Step 7: Add tofu and torn basil leaves to the skillet. Cook, stirring, until warmed through, about 30 seconds. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. If the sauce is too thick, add more cream 1 tablespoon at a time. Serve topped with extra basil and Parmesan.
Tips & Variations
- For extra crispiness, press the tofu for at least 30 minutes before starting the recipe to remove excess moisture.
- Substitute heavy cream with coconut cream for a dairy-free version.
- Add a splash of white wine to the sauce for a deeper flavor.
- Use fresh oregano instead of dried if available, adjusting the amount to taste.
Storage
Store leftover Marry Me Tofu in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to maintain sauce consistency. Add a splash of cream or water when reheating if the sauce thickens.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use regular tofu instead of extra-firm?
Extra-firm tofu is best for this recipe because it holds its shape when cooking and crisps nicely. Regular or soft tofu will likely fall apart and become mushy in the sauce.
Is Parmesan necessary in this recipe?
Parmesan adds a savory depth and creaminess, but you can omit it or use a vegan cheese alternative to keep the dish fully plant-based.
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Marry Me Tofu Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Marry Me Tofu is a rich and flavorful vegetarian dish featuring extra-firm tofu seared to a golden brown and simmered in a creamy, spicy sun-dried tomato sauce. Infused with garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, and Parmesan, this comforting recipe captures the essence of an indulgent Italian-inspired sauce, perfect for a satisfying dinner that suits vegetarians seeking a hearty, protein-packed meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Tofu and Brine
- 1 (14-oz.) block extra-firm tofu
- 4 garlic cloves, divided
- 4 cups water
- 2 tbsp kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
- 1 1/4 tsp dried oregano, divided
- 1 tsp plus a pinch crushed red pepper flakes, divided
Coating Mixture
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- a pinch of salt
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
Cooking and Sauce
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 1/4 cups heavy cream (more as needed)
- 1/3 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn, plus more for serving
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the tofu: Drain the tofu block and cut it in half crosswise. Then cut each half into 1-inch pieces. Use a fork to poke each piece to help absorb flavor. Arrange the tofu pieces in a single layer in a 9″ x 9″ baking dish.
- Make the brine and soak tofu: Peel and smash 2 garlic cloves and place them in a small saucepan. Add 4 cups of water, 2 tablespoons kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, and 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil over high heat. Pour this hot brine over the tofu in the baking dish and let soak for 20 minutes to infuse flavor.
- Dry the tofu: Line a baking sheet with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Remove the tofu pieces from the brine one or two at a time and pat dry thoroughly on all sides with paper towels. Arrange them on the lined baking sheet, cover with more towels or a clean kitchen towel, and gently pat dry again, taking care not to press too hard to keep the tofu intact.
- Coat tofu with seasoning: In a shallow bowl, mix cornstarch, onion powder, smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt. Toss the dried tofu pieces gently in this cornstarch-spice mixture until fully coated.
- Sear the tofu: Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tofu pieces and cook, turning occasionally, until golden brown on all sides, about 10 minutes. Transfer the tofu to a wire rack set over the baking sheet to drain excess oil and season lightly with salt. Wipe out the skillet.
- Prepare the sauce: Finely chop the remaining 2 garlic cloves. In the same skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the chopped garlic, remaining 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. Stir and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring, until it turns a rich brick-red color, about 30 seconds more. Pour in the heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir and cook until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth, about 2 minutes.
- Combine and finish: Add the seared tofu and torn basil leaves to the skillet. Stir gently and cook until everything is warmed through, about 30 seconds. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. If the sauce is too thick, add more cream one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is achieved. Serve topped with extra basil and Parmesan cheese as garnish.
Notes
- Pressing the tofu before brining is not required here because soaking in the brine first helps infuse flavor directly.
- Tofu browning can be done in batches if your skillet is small.
- Use extra-virgin olive oil for the best flavor, but any neutral oil will work for searing.
- The dish can be adjusted for spice level by varying the crushed red pepper flakes.
- For a vegan version, substitute butter with a plant-based alternative and omit Parmesan or use a vegan cheese substitute.
- Serve with crusty bread, pasta, or over steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Keywords: Tofu, Marry Me Sauce, Sun-dried Tomatoes, Cream Sauce, Vegetarian, Italian-inspired, Garlic, Basil, Parmesan, Spicy
