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    Home » Tofu

    Tofu with Pizzaiola Sauce

    Published: Sep 3, 2022 · by Nico Pallotta

    Jump to Recipe

    Tofu with Italian pizzaiola sauce is a simple yet delicious pan-fried tofu recipe ready in 20 minutes.

    It's a perfect weeknight dinner. We make it with pantry staples such as tomato puree, dried oregano, and garlic; the whole family will love it.

    tofu with Italian pizzaiola sauce
    On this page:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Serving suggestions
    • More Tofu Recipes
    • Storage
    • Recipe

    Check out our best vegan beginner recipe collection!

    There is a recipe in Italy called "carne alla pizzaiola," made with thinly sliced veal cutlets cooked in a rich tomato sauce packed with oregano and garlic flavor.

    A pizzaiola sauce is similar to a marinara sauce; it's made with tomato puree, garlic, oregano, and olive oil.

    Our recipe for tofu with pizzaiola sauce uses the same pizzaiola sauce recipe as the original Italian, but we then used thinly sliced firm tofu instead of meat.

    The result is a delicious, light, yet flavourful dinner that tastes Italian. It's such a super easy yet tasty dish you'll be amazed!

    Just remember to serve it with green veggies and a piece of crusty bread to dip in the pizzaiola sauce!

    tofu with tomato sauce

    Ingredients

    ingredients for tofu pizzaiola

    Tofu

    Pick firm or extra firm tofu so you can easily slice it into thin tofu cutlets.

    Soft tofu and silky tofu will not work for this recipe.

    Tomato Puree

    Try to find a tomato puree or tomato passata imported from Italy. One of our favorites is Mutti tomato puree, but there are many other good ones.

    Tomato puree (or tomato passata) produces a rich and creamy tomato sauce that perfectly fits the pan-fried tofu.

    Garlic

    Garlic is one of the main ingredients in an excellent pizzaiola sauce. We like to slice it thinly so that it infuses its flavor into the sauce.

    Oregano

    Dried oregano is the other main ingredient in this Italian tofu dish.

    Olive oil

    We fry the tofu with a bit of olive oil to taste delicious.

    Salt and pepper

    Salt and freshly ground black pepper add taste and flavor to the tofu and the sauce.

    tofu with tomato sauce served with spinach

    Instructions

    Drain the tofu from its water and pat it dry. Next, cut the tofu into ¼-inch thin slices.

    Fry it on a non-stick pan on medium heat with a drizzle of olive for 5 minutes on each side.

    Season it with a pinch of salt and pepper.

    pan fried tofu on a pan

    Add tomato puree, dried oregano, thinly sliced garlic, and the remaining salt and pepper.

    tomato puree and oregano added to the tofu

    Spread the sauce and simmer on low heat for about 5 to 10 minutes until the tomato passata becomes a tasty pizzaiola sauce.

    tofu pizzaiola is ready in the pan

    Serving suggestions

    Serve this Italian-inspired tofu in a pizzaiola sauce as a main dish with sautéed or microwaved spinach and some crusty bread on the side to scoop up the delicious pizzaiola sauce.

    tofu with tomato sauce

    Other delicious side dishes that go well with it are:

    • Crunchy kale chips
    • Red cabbage slaw
    • Roasted artichokes
    • Oven roasted cauliflower
    • Brussels sprout salad
    • Lemon roasted broccoli
    • Roasted Brussels sprout
    • Green bean salad with mustard dressing
    • Kale chip with red pepper flakes
      Kale Chips
    • red cabbage slaw
      Red Cabbage Slaw
    • roasted artichokes
      Roasted Artichokes
    • roasted cauliflower
      Roasted Cauliflower
    • shaved brussels sprouts salad
      Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
    • Roasted sprouts with lemon and dressing
      Roasted Brussels Sprouts
    • Baked broccoli with lemon and garlic
      Roasted Broccoli
    • Green bean salad with sprinkled feta
      Green Bean Salad

    More Tofu Recipes

    Are you looking for more protein-rich plant-based recipes? Then check out our:

    • Vegan fish - made with baked tofu, lemon, tomatoes, and olives
    • Tofu mushroom recipe - quick and easy on the stovetop
    • Tofu salad - plenty of greens, tasty dressing, and plant-protein
    • Cacciatore-style tofu - another Italian-inspired tofu dish in a hunter's style sauce
    • Fried tofu and air fryer tofu cubes - perfect for adding to salads or for snacking
    • Vegan cream cheese - to spread on your favorite crunchy bread
    • Tofu scramble - we make this with mushrooms or spinach. It's delicious!
    • Tofu in creamy lemon sauce
    • Sticky orange tofu - tastier (and healthier) than Chinese takeout
    • vegan fish tofu
      Vegan Fish
    • tofu mushroom recipe
      Tofu Mushroom Recipe
    • Tofu Salad with dressing
      Tofu Salad
    • Tofu cacciatore with olives and herbs
      Tofu Cacciatore
    • crispy air fryer tofu
      Air Fryer Tofu
    • Orange tofu on rice
      Orange Tofu
    • Tofu scramble on bread with vegetables
      Tofu Scramble
    • lemon tofu on a white plate
      Lemon Tofu

    For many more tofu ideas, check out our tofu category page.

    Storage

    Store the tofu with pizzaiola sauce for up to 2 days in the refrigerator. Then, warm up on a pan with a dash of water. You can also warm it up in the microwave.

    Not suitable for freezing.

    Recipe

    tofu with pizzaiola sauce

    Tofu with Pizzaiola Sauce

    Author: Nico Pallotta
    Tofu with Italian pizzaiola sauce is a simple yet delicious pan-fried tofu recipe ready in 20 minutes.
    It's a perfect weeknight dinner. We make it with pantry staples such as tomato puree, dried oregano, and garlic; the whole family will love it.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share Recipe
    5 from 4 votes
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 2 people
    Calories 244 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 8 ounces firm tofu
    • 1½ cups tomato puree or passata
    • 2 cloves garlic thinly sliced
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    Keep screen on

    Instructions
     

    • Drain the tofu from its water and pat it dry. Next, cut the tofu into ¼-inch thin slices.
      Fry it on a non-stick pan on medium heat with a drizzle of olive for 5 minutes on each side.
      Season it with a pinch of salt and pepper.
      pan fried tofu on a pan
    • Add tomato puree, dried oregano, thinly sliced garlic, and the remaining salt and pepper.
      tomato puree and oregano added to the tofu
    • Spread the sauce and simmer on low heat for about 5 to 10 minutes until the tomato passata becomes a tasty pizzaiola sauce.
      tofu pizzaiola is ready in the pan
    • Serve this Italian-inspired tofu in a pizzaiola sauce as a main dish with sautéed or microwaved spinach and some crusty bread on the side to scoop up the delicious pizzaiola sauce.
      tofu with tomato sauce

    Video Recipe

    Tofu Pizzaiola | easy dinner in 20 minutes

    Notes

    Nutrition information is for 1 portion of tofu out of 2, without the bread and the spinach.

    Nutritional Values

    Nutrition Facts
    Tofu with Pizzaiola Sauce
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    244
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    13
    g
    20
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    2
    g
    13
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    0
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    4
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    7
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    0
    mg
    0
    %
    Potassium
     
    913
    mg
    26
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    23
    g
    8
    %
    Dietary Fiber
     
    6
    g
    25
    %
    Sugar
     
    10
    g
    11
    %
    Protein
     
    14
    g
    28
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    1048
    IU
    21
    %
    Vitamin B6
     
    0.3
    mg
    15
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    22
    mg
    27
    %
    Vitamin E
     
    5
    mg
    33
    %
    Vitamin K
     
    27
    µg
    26
    %
    Calcium
     
    225
    mg
    23
    %
    Folate
     
    28
    µg
    7
    %
    Iron
     
    6
    mg
    33
    %
    Manganese
     
    1
    mg
    50
    %
    Magnesium
     
    54
    mg
    14
    %
    Zinc
     
    1
    mg
    7
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Did you like this recipe?Leave us a comment below or find us on Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jody

      June 12, 2022 at 6:32 pm

      5 stars
      So simple, yet absolutely delicious. I will be making this again and again. I am so thrilled to have discovered your recipes! I think I am going to make….everything. 😄

      Reply
      • Nico

        June 13, 2022 at 6:20 am

        Thanks so much, Jody! We're so happy to have you here! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. Cheers, Nico

        Reply

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    Nico and Louise founders of the Plant-Based School.

    Hi, we are Nico Pallotta and Louise Vestergaard, and we love cooking! Welcome to our blog.

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    Nico and Louise founders of the Plant-Based School.

    Hi, we are Nico Pallotta and Louise Vestergaard, and we love cooking! Welcome to our blog.

    Here we share veggie-packed recipes for the whole family.

    Omnivores, flexitarians, vegetarians, and vegans, you are ALL WELCOME!

    More about us →

    Trending

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    Seasonal

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