Name: Marry Me Tofu in Creamy Tomato Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 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 of crushed red pepper flakes, divided; 3 Tbsp. cornstarch; 1/2 tsp. onion powder; 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika; Pinch of salt; 1/2 tsp. dried oregano; 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes; 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil; 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter; 1 Tbsp. 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

Jump to Recipe· 4.7 from 87 reviews

If you’re craving something that feels indulgently creamy, packed with flavor, and totally satisfying without meat, this Marry Me Tofu in Creamy Tomato Sauce Recipe is going to sweep you off your feet. I absolutely love how the tofu soaks up this lush, garlicky tomato sauce—it’s rich, a bit spicy, and honestly, it’s one of those dishes that my family goes crazy for whenever I serve it. Stick with me, and I’ll share some tips that make this recipe fail-proof and perfectly delicious every time.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Rich Creamy Sauce: The blend of cream, tomato paste, and Parmesan creates a sauce so luscious it feels like a restaurant-quality dish.
Perfectly Seasoned Tofu: The brining and spice coating infuse flavor deep into the tofu, which can often be bland otherwise.
Impressively Simple: Despite how gourmet it tastes, the steps are straightforward and manageable for a weeknight meal.
Versatile & Satisfying: Whether you’re vegetarian or just tofu-curious, this dish will win over even skeptics with its bold, balanced flavors.

The image shows a white pan filled with small golden brown tofu cubes covered in a rich, creamy light pink sauce. The tofu pieces are evenly spread and some are scooped up with a wooden spoon on the right side. Bright green basil leaves are scattered over the tofu, adding a fresh color contrast. There are small bits of red sun-dried tomatoes mixed in the sauce. The sauce looks smooth and thick, lightly coating each tofu cube. The pan sits on a white marbled surface with soft daylight shining in, highlighting the textures and colors of the dish. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Marry Me Tofu in Creamy Tomato Sauce, creamy tomato tofu dish, vegan tofu recipes, flavorful tofu dinner, easy tofu pasta recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

For this Marry Me Tofu in Creamy Tomato Sauce Recipe, the ingredients come together beautifully—simple pantry staples and fresh items that make the dish pop. A quick tip: use extra-firm tofu and be sure to pat it really dry to get that perfect sear and texture.

Flat lay of a block of extra-firm tofu cut in half, four whole uncracked garlic cloves, a small white bowl of kosher salt, a small white bowl of dried oregano, a small white bowl of crushed red pepper flakes, a small white bowl of cornstarch, a small white bowl of onion powder, a small white bowl of smoked paprika, a small white bowl of extra-virgin olive oil, a small white bowl with a pat of unsalted butter, a small white bowl of bright red tomato paste, a small white bowl of heavy cream, a small white bowl filled with finely chopped oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, a small white bowl of grated Parmesan cheese, fresh torn basil leaves arranged neatly on the side, and a small white bowl of freshly ground black pepper placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997 - Marry Me Tofu in Creamy Tomato Sauce, creamy tomato tofu dish, vegan tofu recipes, flavorful tofu dinner, easy tofu pasta recipe

Extra-firm tofu: Essential for holding shape and getting crispy on the outside without falling apart.
Garlic cloves: Divided to layer flavor in both the brine and sauce; fresh is always best here.
Kosher salt: Key to a tasty brine which helps season the tofu all the way through.
Dried oregano: Adds a subtle earthy, aromatic note that pairs wonderfully with tomatoes.
Crushed red pepper flakes: Gives just the right bit of heat without overpowering.
Cornstarch: Used for dusting to create a crispy exterior on tofu pieces.
Onion powder: Adds depth of flavor to the cornstarch coating.
Smoked paprika: Imparts a warm, smoky undertone that complements the creamy tomato sauce.
Extra-virgin olive oil: For sautéing tofu and building the sauce base.
Unsalted butter: Balances the sauce with richness and silkiness.
Tomato paste: The concentrated tomato flavor that gives the sauce body and brightness.
Heavy cream: The heart of the sauce, making it luxuriously smooth and rich.
Oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes: Their intense flavor really elevates the sauce to another level.
Grated Parmesan: Melts into the sauce for sharpness and umami, plus a bit more for finishing.
Fresh basil leaves: Torn fresh in for brightness and garnish—don’t skip this fresh herb touch!
Freshly ground black pepper: Adds a finishing edge when seasoning at the end.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of my favorite things about the Marry Me Tofu in Creamy Tomato Sauce Recipe is how adaptable it is. You can easily make it your own by swapping ingredients or adjusting the heat level. Don’t hesitate to experiment to find your perfect version!

Vegan Option: I’ve swapped the butter for vegan margarine and used coconut cream instead of heavy cream—still rich and tasty, though slightly different in flavor.
Spice It Up: When I want more heat, I add extra crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
Herb Swap: Sometimes I use fresh thyme or rosemary instead of oregano; it gives the sauce a woodsy twist my family enjoys.
Make It Gluten-Free: Just use gluten-free cornstarch or arrowroot powder for coating the tofu and you’re good to go!

How to Make Marry Me Tofu in Creamy Tomato Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Brine the Tofu

Drain and slice your block of extra-firm tofu into 1-inch pieces, then poke each piece lightly with a fork—this helps the brine penetrate and work its magic. After making a quick garlic and spice brine in boiling water with kosher salt, oregano, and red pepper flakes, pour it over the tofu in a shallow dish and let it soak for 20 minutes. This step is key to seasoning the tofu deeply, giving it way more flavor than you’d get just frying it plain.

Step 2: Pat Dry and Coat Tofu with Spices

Once brined, gently remove the tofu, pat it dry carefully with paper towels—this is super important to achieve that crispy outside later. Toss the tofu in a mix of cornstarch, onion powder, smoked paprika, oregano, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt. This coating crisps up the tofu beautifully and adds a layered flavor. Don’t skimp on drying; I learned the hard way that tofu that’s too wet won’t brown well.

Step 3: Crispy Pan-Sear the Tofu

Heat olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and cook the tofu, turning occasionally, until all sides are golden brown and crisp, about 10 minutes. This step really seals flavor and texture in. Once cooked, place tofu on a wire rack to cool slightly and season with a bit more salt.

Step 4: Build the Creamy Tomato Sauce

In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat, then add finely chopped garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes—these little aromatics wake up the sauce. Stir in tomato paste and cook just until it darkens to a brick-red color, which deepens its flavor. Add heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese, stirring until the cheese fully melts and the sauce is rich and creamy. It’s the sauce that really steals the show here.

Step 5: Combine and Finish

Add the crispy tofu and fresh torn basil leaves to the skillet and stir gently just to warm everything and marry the flavors. Check the sauce consistency—if it’s too thick, add a tablespoon of cream at a time until you hit the perfect creamy texture. Season with salt and plenty of fresh black pepper, then finish with extra Parmesan and basil right before serving for that fresh pop. You’re ready to enjoy!

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Pro Tips for Making Marry Me Tofu in Creamy Tomato Sauce Recipe

Brine Helps Flavor Penetrate: I discovered this trick when I started brining tofu—it makes each bite taste seasoned, not just the surface.
Pat Dry Tofu Thoroughly: Removing excess moisture is the key to crispiness, so don’t rush this step or skip the extra towel drying.
Sauce Thickness Adjustments: Add cream gradually to get your desired sauce consistency; too thick can feel heavy, too thin loses that luscious feel.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook tofu in a single layer so pieces brown evenly—crowding traps steam and prevents crisping.

How to Serve Marry Me Tofu in Creamy Tomato Sauce Recipe

This image shows a close-up of small, golden brown fried tofu cubes arranged in a creamy, light orange sauce. The tofu cubes have a slightly crispy texture with some darker edges. Scattered around and on top of the tofu are fresh green basil leaves, small pieces of sun-dried tomatoes, and finely grated white cheese. The dish is presented in a white bowl, placed on a surface with a white marbled texture. The overall look is creamy and colorful with a mix of warm and fresh tones photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Marry Me Tofu in Creamy Tomato Sauce, creamy tomato tofu dish, vegan tofu recipes, flavorful tofu dinner, easy tofu pasta recipe

Garnishes

I love finishing this dish with a scattering of extra torn fresh basil leaves and a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan. The fresh basil delivers a bright, herbal contrast to the richness of the sauce, and the Parmesan adds a salty, savory touch that keeps you coming back for more.

Side Dishes

My go-to sides are simple but perfectly complementary—think crusty garlic bread to sop up the sauce, steamed green beans, or a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette. If you want to keep it cozy, creamy polenta or buttery mashed potatoes are absolute winners to serve alongside.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special dinner, I like plating the tofu over a bed of handmade pappardelle or fanned roasted vegetables for color and texture contrast. A drizzle of basil oil or a few toasted pine nuts sprinkled on top adds an elegant touch that’ll impress guests without extra fuss.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I always transfer any leftovers into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The tofu might soak up more sauce overnight, which actually intensifies flavors—just give it a gentle stir before reheating.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this dish a couple of times with success. Just make sure it’s cooled completely before freezing in portions. When you thaw, the sauce might separate a bit, but stirring it over low heat brings it back to creamy perfection.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat with a splash of cream or water to loosen the sauce as needed. Microwaving works in a pinch, but the stovetop brings back the best texture and flavor.

FAQs

Can I use soft tofu instead of extra-firm tofu for this Marry Me Tofu in Creamy Tomato Sauce Recipe?

Soft tofu isn’t ideal here because it won’t hold its shape during the brining and frying steps, which are crucial for texture. Extra-firm tofu is your best bet for crispy, well-defined pieces that won’t fall apart.
Is there a way to make this Marry Me Tofu recipe vegan?

Absolutely! Simply swap the butter with plant-based margarine and replace heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk or a vegan cream substitute. Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan to keep that cheesy umami flavor.
How spicy is this Marry Me Tofu in Creamy Tomato Sauce Recipe?

It has a gentle heat from the red pepper flakes, which you can easily adjust up or down depending on your preference. Feel free to omit them for a milder dish or add more if you like a spicy kick.
Can I prepare parts of this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can brine and coat the tofu a few hours ahead and keep it refrigerated until ready to cook. The sauce is best made fresh, but it reheats well if you prep it in advance.

Final Thoughts

This Marry Me Tofu in Creamy Tomato Sauce Recipe has become one of my absolute favorites to make when I want something that feels special but is totally doable any night of the week. The flavors are bold, the tofu texture is fantastic, and it’s just plain satisfying. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll have a new go-to dish that your friends and family will beg you to make again and again. So go ahead—dive in, get a little saucy, and enjoy every bite!