This pesto tofu pasta recipe brings you an incredibly flavorful dish with very little effort. The star is the sun-dried tomato pesto sauce that only takes 5 minutes to make. Paired with some marinated tofu, this vegan tofu pesto pasta can be made from scratch in just 30 minutes.
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I have been trying to incorporate more tofu into my diet, and this recipe has made it a lot easier. The tofu is crispy and flavorful, and when combined with the sun-dried tomato pesto, it is just heavenly.
For more delicious vegan pasta recipes, try my vegan pesto pasta with homemade vegan spinach pesto. It is simply irresistible.
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❤️ Why you’ll love it
I absolutely love this recipe for its unique take on a classic pasta dish. The rosemary-infused red pesto sauce is not only a beautiful color, but it also adds a depth of flavor that is truly irresistible.
Pair that with the savory, crispy tofu, and you have got yourself a delicious and satisfying vegan meal that is not only simple to make but also a bit different from the usual pasta dishes.
The best part is that the leftovers make for a great lunch the next day, so you can enjoy this recipe for days to come.
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🧾 Key ingredients
This pesto tofu pasta is a delicious and easy dish that you can make with simple, easy-to-find ingredients. You might even have many of these ingredients in your pantry or fridge already!
Homemade vegan sun-dried tomato pesto gives it a rich, tangy flavor that pairs well with the tofu and pasta. It is easy to make at home but store-bought works just as well.
Tofu makes it hearty and filling. If you want crispy tofu at the end, pick a firm or extra firm tofu. I usually use the firm one as they soak up marinade better than extra firm or super firm, but it is still easy to make the tofu crispy.
Fresh basil leaves add a touch of freshness to the dish. They are added at the end, just before serving, to preserve their flavor and color. If you don’t have fresh basil on hand, you can use dried ground basil as well.
Garlic powder is used in the marinade for the tofu. It adds a delicious garlicky flavor and, because it is in powder form, it sticks well to the tofu, giving it a wonderful flavor in every bite.
🛒 You can find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
🥘 Equipment
To make this delicious pesto tofu pasta, the most important piece of equipment you will need is a good quality food processor. I recommend this because the key to a truly flavorful and aromatic pesto is a smooth and well-emulsified texture, which can be easily achieved with a food processor.
👩🍳 Instructions
Preparing the ingredients
STEP 1
Use firm tofu and press it. We used our trusted TofuBud*, but you can choose any DIY method or tofu press. For more information, tips, and steps, read our complete guide on how to press tofu and our honest review of TofuBud.
STEP 2
Then, in a long, thin container, combine all the marinade ingredients. Use an immersion blender to blend them into a smooth mixture.
STEP 3
Next, cut the pressed tofu into cubes and place them in a shallow bowl. Pour the marinade over the tofu cubes, making sure they are well coated. If your container has a lid, you can simply shake it a few times for even coating.
STEP 4
Marinate the tofu for about 15 minutes. If you prefer a stronger flavor, you can leave it in the fridge to marinate overnight.
STEP 5
While the tofu is marinating, prepare the fresh basil leaves for the pesto. If you are using fresh basil leaves, be cautious not to overheat them, as they can turn brown and bitter easily.
Making the pesto tofu pasta
STEP 1
Heat a frying pan to medium heat. Add the marinated tofu cubes to the pan and fry them for about 15 minutes, stirring frequently to ensure all sides are crispy and well-cooked.
STEP 2
In a separate large pot, cook your pasta in boiling water according to the package instructions. When the pasta is cooked, drain it, but remember to reserve some of the pasta water.
STEP 3
Heat a skillet or another frying pan on low to medium heat. Add the cooked pasta, red pesto, and a bit of the reserved pasta water. Gently mix the ingredients while warming them up over low to medium heat.
STEP 4
Finally, add the crispy marinated tofu cubes to your pesto pasta. Gently fold them into the pasta, ensuring they are evenly distributed. Serve your delicious pesto tofu pasta with a sprinkle of nutritional yeast or vegan parmesan and enjoy.
💡 Expert tip
The key to this recipe is the marination and frying of the tofu. For the best results, allow the tofu to marinate for at least 15 minutes, or even better, overnight in the refrigerator. When frying the tofu, ensure it is on medium heat and stir frequently to achieve a crispy texture.
🔄 Variations
Make it spicy by incorporating red pepper flakes. This will give your dish an extra kick and a fiery flavor that complements the tangy sun-dried tomato pesto.
If you are a fan of creamy pasta dishes, consider doubling the amount of vegan parmesan cheese. This will not only add a creamy texture but also infuse the dish with a rich, cheesy flavor that contrasts beautifully with the tangy pesto.
Consider adding a handful of fresh spinach or arugula to the pesto. This will not only add a pop of color but also infuse your dish with a fresh, peppery flavor that complements the other ingredients beautifully.
🥣 Serving ideas
Pesto tofu pasta is a versatile and delicious dish that can be enjoyed in many different ways.
One of my favorite ways to serve it is with a side of sauteéd mushrooms. The earthy flavors of the mushrooms complement the herby pesto and the crispy tofu perfectly, making for a satisfying and hearty meal.
If you want to add some more color and flavor to your pesto tofu pasta, consider serving it with some roasted cherry tomatoes. The sweet and tangy tomatoes are a great contrast to the savory pesto and tofu, and the burst of juice from the tomatoes adds a refreshing element to the dish.
Plus, you can also serve this dish with a variety of other vegetables, such as sauteéd broccoli or broccolini, green peas, or sweet corn.
❄️ Storing tips
Storing this delicious pesto tofu pasta is simple and quite straightforward.
To store the leftovers, allow the dish to cool completely. Once cooled, transfer it to an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh for about three to four days. However, keep in mind that the tofu may lose its crispiness over time.
Unfortunately, I do not recommend freezing this dish. The tofu may become spongy and unappetizing when it is thawed.
🤔 FAQs
What type of pasta pairs best with red pesto?
For this recipe, I recommend using long pasta like spaghetti or fettucini. However, you can also use fusilli or farfalle. The key is to use a pasta shape that allows the pesto to evenly coat the noodles
How do you season tofu for pesto pasta?
I like to season my tofu with a basil-infused marinade for this recipe. While you can marinate tofu in pesto, I find that mixing the pesto with the pasta and using a separate marinade for the tofu allows the flavors to remain distinct
Why do you reserve pasta water?
Reserving pasta water is a common practice in Italian cooking. The starchy water helps to thicken the sauce and bind it to the pasta. If your sauce is too thick, you can use a little more pasta water to thin it out.
More vegan tofu recipes
If you love tofu, check out the most flavorful tofu marinades or choose from the below list:
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Red Pesto Tofu Pasta (Vegan)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 oz Pasta
- ⅓ cup Reserved cooking water
- 4 Tbsp Vegan sun-dried tomato pesto
- 12 oz Firm tofu
- ½ cup Fresh basil leaves
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- ⅓ cup Olive oil
- ½ tsp Salt
- ¼ tsp Black pepper
Instructions
Marinating tofu
- Use firm tofu and press it.
- Take a long thin container and add all marinade ingredients and blend it with an immersion blender.
- After the tofu is pressed, cut them into cubes.
- Take a shallow bowl and add the tofu cubes and the blended marinade and mix them well. If you use a container with a lid, you can shake it a couple of times.
- Marinate them for approx. 15 minutes. You can leave it in the fridge to marinate overnight.
Frying tofu
- Preheat the frying pan to medium heat. If you use fresh leaves you especially have to pay attention not to overheat them as the basil leaves can turn brown and bitter easily.
- Add marinated tofu cubes and fry them for approx. 15 minutes. Stir them frequently to ensure all sides are crispy and well-cooked.
Making pesto pasta with tofu
- Cook pasta in a large pot of water according to the package instructions.
- When pasta is cooked, drain it but reserve some pasta water.
- Take a skillet or frying pan and heat it on low/medium heat.
- Add cooked pasta and red pesto with a bit of cooking water.
- Mix while you warm them up over low-medium heat.
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