Crispy golden tofu and a creamy, garlicky sun-dried tomato sauce, with no dairy at all.
Prep20 min
Cook25 min
Total45 min
Serves4
LevelIntermediate
What makes it special
Coconut milk
I'm not vegan, but this is one of my favorite pastas, full stop. The tofu gets wonderfully crisp and golden, and the sauce, made with coconut milk, garlic and sun-dried tomatoes, is every bit as creamy as the dairy version. Serve it to skeptics and watch them go back for seconds.
Why it works
The sauce balances richness from coconut milk, tang from sun-dried tomatoes, savory depth from garlic and nutritional yeast, and brightness from a squeeze of lemon. Crispy tofu adds the bite you'd get from chicken.
Crispy tofu tips
Press it well. Wrap the block in a towel and weigh it down for 15 minutes.
Cornstarch coating. A light dusting gives a crackly crust.
Give it room. Crowded tofu steams instead of crisping.
Medium heat. Hot enough to brown, not so hot it burns.
You can also bake it at 400°F for 25 to 30 minutes, or air fry it at 375°F for about 15 minutes.
Variations
Gluten-free: chickpea or brown rice pasta.
Greens: stir in spinach or kale at the end.
More protein: add white beans.
Spicier: double the chili flakes.
Serving
An arugula salad with lemon dressing and some vegan garlic bread make it a lovely dinner.
Leftovers keep for 4 days. Reheat gently with a splash of plant milk.
A dairy-free pasta with golden, crispy tofu in a creamy coconut, garlic and sun-dried tomato sauce. Plant-based comfort food.
Pasta Intermediate Italian-Inspired
Prep
20 min
Cook
25 min
Total
45 min
Servings
4
Ingredients 7 items
Tap to check off as you go
Crispy Tofu
Sauce & Pasta
Instructions 6 steps
1
Press the tofu, cut it into cubes and toss with cornstarch and seasonings.
2
Pan-fry the tofu in olive oil until golden and crispy on all sides.
3
Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
4
Make the creamy sun-dried tomato sauce in a skillet.
5
Toss the pasta with the sauce and the crispy tofu.
6
Scatter with basil and serve warm.
Nutrition per serving
Calories
480
Protein
18g
Carbs
55g
Fat
22g
Sugar
6g
Fiber
4g
Sodium
520mg
Questions, answered
How do I get tofu really crispy?
Press out as much water as you can, coat it lightly in cornstarch and give it space in a hot pan.
Can I make it ahead?
Cook the sauce and tofu separately and combine them just before serving so the tofu stays crisp.
Which pasta works best?
Short shapes like penne, rigatoni or fusilli catch the sauce nicely.
Recipe by
Denise
Home cook, baker and serial recipe tweaker. I share the dishes my family asks for most, written step by step so they turn out right in your kitchen too.
