Crispy Tofu in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Dinner
Crispy tofu in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce is the best 20-minute dinner. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to perfectly crispy tofu every time. The creamy, tangy sauce is irresistible and makes this dish a family favorite. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Miso Glazed Eggplant Recipe for Flavorful Dinner and Easy Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potatoes Recipe.
Why This Crispy Tofu in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- The tofu is perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
- The creamy sun-dried tomato sauce is tangy, rich, and full of flavor.
- This dish is ready in just 20 minutes, making it a great weeknight dinner.
- It's a healthier alternative to takeout, and you can customize it with your favorite veggies.
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
- Red pepper flakes
- Salt
- Pepper
- Optional: Fresh basil
- Optional: Red pepper flakes
- Optional: Vegan parmesan
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Extra firm tofu: Press the tofu before cooking to remove excess moisture.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Tofu Press — Removes excess moisture for crispier tofu. → See on Amazon
- Immersion Blender — Makes smooth, creamy sauces in minutes. → 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 and place a heavy object on top. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes to remove excess moisture.
- Cook the tofu: Cut the tofu into cubes and cook in a pan with a little oil over medium heat until crispy on all sides. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same pan, sauté garlic and onion until soft. Add sun-dried tomatoes, coconut milk, soy sauce, maple syrup, and red pepper flakes. Simmer until the sauce thickens. Use an immersion blender to make the sauce smooth and creamy.
- Combine and serve: Add the crispy tofu back to the pan and toss to coat in the sauce. Serve hot with your favorite sides.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Tofu in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Dinner
- : Pressing the tofu is key to getting it crispy. Don't skip this step.
- Common mistake and fix: If your sauce is too watery, simmer it longer or add a cornstarch slurry to thicken it.
- : You can make this dish spicy by adding more red pepper flakes or using spicy sun-dried tomatoes.
- : Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce may thicken, so add a little water when reheating.
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 3 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.
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 for 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 more people.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too watery, simmer it longer or add a cornstarch slurry to thicken it.
Want to level up this recipe?
Non-stick skillet — Even cooking and easy cleanup for this one-pan dish. → 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
- Red pepper flakes
- Salt
- Pepper
Optional Toppings
- Fresh basil
- Red pepper flakes
- Vegan parmesan
Instructions
- Press the tofu: Wrap the tofu in a clean kitchen towel and place a heavy object on top. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes to remove excess moisture.
- Cook the tofu: Cut the tofu into cubes and cook in a pan with a little oil over medium heat until crispy on all sides. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same pan, sauté garlic and onion until soft. Add sun-dried tomatoes, coconut milk, soy sauce, maple syrup, and red pepper flakes. Simmer until the sauce thickens. Use an immersion blender to make the sauce smooth and creamy.
- Combine and serve: Add the crispy tofu back to the pan and toss to coat in the sauce. Serve hot with your favorite sides.
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 for 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 more people.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too watery, simmer it longer or add a cornstarch slurry to thicken it.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: This dish does not freeze well.
- 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: 250
- Protein: 15g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sat. Fat: 2g
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 is best cooked fresh.
Make sure to press the tofu before cooking to remove excess moisture. Also, ensure your pan is hot enough and not overcrowded.
This dish is great with rice, noodles, or a side salad. You can also add your favorite veggies to the pan while cooking the tofu.
Yes, you can cook the tofu in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Yes, you can add more red pepper flakes or use spicy sun-dried tomatoes to make this dish spicy.
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!
