Marry Me Tofu

Well-seasoned tofu is a kind of culinary chameleon, perfect for so many different sauces and cooking methods. We've tossed air-fried tofu in spicy mayo, created a tofu katsu curry, and brushed homemade chipotle sauce onto kebabs for chipotle tofu and pineapple skewers (and the list of tofu recipes goes on!). Because tofu is so versatile, why not give this plant-based protein a Marry Me moment? Pairing our signature creamy, garlicky sauce with crispy tofu was every bit as good as I knew it would be. Here’s how I made it:

The tofu:
Inspired by Delish's own Taylor Ann Spencer, cubed tofu is soaked in a quick hot brine flavored with smashed garlic, kosher salt, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. As I learned from Taylor Ann, hot water actually helps push extra liquid out of the tofu and the seasonings in the brine flavor each cube. If you haven't tried this with your tofu yet, trust me—it makes a huge difference.

The cornstarch:
After the tofu is brined and patted dry, toss the tofu in cornstarch seasoned with smoked paprika, onion powder, and a little more dried oregano and crushed red pepper flakes. The cornstarch will absorb moisture from the tofu and create a batter-like coating on each piece. Then, simply cook until the tofu is golden brown and crisp.

The sauce:
Once the tofu is cooked, the creamy tomato sauce comes together in less than 5 minutes. Garnish the tofu with fresh basil and more grated Parmesan for that little extra something. To complete the Marry Me moment, serve this over rice or pasta along with a green salad, and some warm bread for sopping up every bit of the delicious, proposal-inspiring sauce.

Did you try this recipe? Let us know in the comments!