Description
Creamy Vegan Marry Me Pasta with Crispy Tofu Chicken is a flavorful and comforting plant-based dish featuring a luscious creamy sauce paired with crispy golden tofu that mimics classic comfort food. It combines rich herbs, spices, and a perfect balance of textures to create a satisfying vegan meal ideal for weeknight dinners or any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Tofu Chicken
- 14 oz firm tofu, pressed and sliced into bite-sized strips
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
For the Pasta
- 8 oz pasta of your choice (regular or gluten-free), cooked al dente
For the Creamy Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup coconut cream or vegan cream
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For Garnishing
- Fresh basil, chopped
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Cracked black pepper (optional)
- Toasted pine nuts (optional)
- Lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Tofu Chicken: Press the tofu to remove excess moisture, then cut into bite-sized strips. Marinate briefly with olive oil, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Pan-fry over medium-high heat until golden and crispy on all sides. Set aside.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and reserve about 1/4 cup pasta water for adjusting sauce consistency later.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: In the same pan, heat olive oil and sauté minced garlic and chopped onions on medium-low heat until translucent and fragrant, avoiding burning. Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes to meld flavors. Pour in vegan cream or coconut cream, add nutritional yeast, and cook, stirring until smooth and gently bubbling. Season with salt and pepper.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add cooked pasta to the sauce and toss well to coat every strand. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water until desired creamy consistency is achieved.
- Finish with Crispy Tofu Chicken: Gently fold in the crispy tofu pieces along with chopped fresh basil and parsley. Toss once more to blend flavors evenly before serving.
Notes
- Press tofu thoroughly to ensure crispiness and better texture contrast.
- Don’t skip sun-dried tomatoes as they add a key tangy note that enhances the sauce’s flavor.
- Reserve pasta water to help attain a silky sauce without making it too thin.
- Add fresh herbs at the end for vibrant aroma and color.
- Cook garlic slowly over low heat to prevent burning and maintain a mellow sweetness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-frying and sautéing
- Cuisine: Vegan, Comfort Food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg