Tofu Parmesan is a plant-based twist and a great alternative to the traditional chicken parmesan recipe that we all love. Crispy tofu is topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese and baked to perfection.
Say hello to your new favorite comfort food casserole!
Tofu Parmesan, an oven-baked vegetarian recipe, is an easy dinner that will quickly become a family favorite.
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Vegetarian Parmesan Casserole
Tofu is breaded in a flavorful mixture and then pan-fried until golden brown and crispy.
Top the breaded tofu with your favorite tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese and bake into cheesy deliciousness!
You can even prepare the tofu ahead and assemble the casserole when you are ready to bake it, making this recipe ideal for an easy weeknight dinner and for entertaining too!
Using extra-firm tofu and pressing out any excess liquid gives the tofu a texture similar to chicken.
Honestly, I was amazed at the texture of the tofu. To me it was like eating pieces of tender chicken. So good!
Also, I kept things simple and used a store-bought marinara sauce but you can easily use a homemade pasta sauce instead.
Trust me when I tell you that this baked tofu parmesan recipe is one of my new favorite meals.
Just add a simple salad and a side of pasta and you're all set to enjoy a comfort food dinner.
Love tofu? You'll want to make crispy air fryer tofu too!
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How to make tofu parmigiana
Scroll down for the full recipe instructions and ingredient amounts in the recipe card below
- Slice the tofu into 8 rectangular pieces.
- Arrange the tofu slices in a single layer on a pan lined with paper towels. Top with additional paper towels, another pan and a heavy pot or skillet.
- Let the tofu drain for at least 30 minutes. The paper towels should be very wet from the liquid that has drained out of the tofu. Discard the paper towels.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375F.
- Place the eggs in a shallow bowl and lightly beat.
- In another shallow dish, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, kosher salt and pepper.
- Dip each piece of tofu in the egg and then in the breadcrumb mixture to coat. Dip again in egg and then again in the breadcrumb mixture. You may need to add an additional egg. Dipping each tofu piece twice will give the tofu a thick breadcrumb coating.
- In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat.
- Cook the tofu, in batches, until golden on both sides, turning once.
- Coat a 13-inch x 9-inch casserole dish with cooking spray. Arrange the breaded tofu in the baking dish and top with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.
- Bake 25 minutes or until hot and bubbly and the cheese is melted.
Swirls of Flavor Recipe Tips
- It is important to use extra firm tofu when making this recipe. The texture of a softer tofu will not work well.
- For best results, be sure to get the excess moisture out of the tofu.
- You can add 1 teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning to the breadcrumb mixture for added flavor
- For a hint of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to your marinara sauce
Substitutions
- You can substitute seasoned panko breadcrumbs for the seasoned italian breadcrumbs
- Replace the shredded mozzarella with slices of fresh mozzarella
- You can use 1/4 teaspoon table salt in place of the 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Storage
- You can store leftover tofu in the casserole dish covered with foil or in an airtight container.
- Leftover tofu will stay fresh for 1-2 days in the refrigerator.
- To reheat, I recommend using an air fryer to get the tofu crispy again.
- As always, I find it helpful to visit the FDA website for food storage guidelines
Easy casserole recipes
Equipment
- shallow bowls
- casserole dish
- measuring spoons
- measuring cups
Ingredients
You will need these ingredients to make this parmesan tofu recipe:
- extra firm tofu
- eggs
- seasoned Italian breadcrumbs
- grated parmesan cheese
- garlic powder
- kosher salt
- black pepper
- oil
- marinara sauce
- shredded mozzarella cheese
Tofu Parmesan Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 package (14 ounces) extra firm tofu , drained
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup seasoned italian breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ cup oil
- 1 jar (24 ounces) marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
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Instructions
- Slice the block of tofu into 8 rectangular pieces, about 1/2-inch thick slices.
- Arrange tofu in a single layer on a pan lined with paper towels. Top with additional paper towels, another pan and a heavy pot or skillet.
- Let the tofu drain for at least 30 minutes. The paper towels should be very wet from the liquid that has drained out of the tofu. Discard the paper towels.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375F.
- Place the eggs in a shallow bowl and lightly beat.
- In another shallow bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, kosher salt and pepper.
- Dip each piece of tofu in the egg and then in the breadcrumb mixture to coat. Dip again in egg and then again in the breadcrumb mixture. You may need to add an additional egg. Dipping each tofu piece twice will give the tofu a thick breadcrumb coating.
- In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat.
- Cook the tofu, in batches, until golden on both sides, turning once.
- Coat a 13-inch x 9-inch casserole dish generously with cooking spray. Arrange the tofu in a single layer and top with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.
- Bake 25 minutes until hot and bubbly on the sides and the cheese is melted.
Notes
- It is important to use extra firm tofu when making this recipe. The texture of a softer tofu will not work well.
- For best results, be sure to get the excess moisture out of the tofu.
- You can add 1 teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning to the breadcrumb mixture for added flavor
- For a hint of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to your marinara sauce
What a great idea! I would like to make this recipe plant based and I have already have my favorite vegan cheese, but how can I substitute the egg? Thank you.
This is a different way of cooking of my tofu. It is so easy and delicious and definitely a hit for everyone. Yum!
Hi Silvia, I have not tried any egg substitutes so I can't say for sure how this would work but maybe give greek yogurt a try?
An instant favorite for me as tofu is in this recipe! I'll definitely make this for the weekend to be enjoyed with the family! Thanks for sharing this with us! Loved it!
Wow perfect combination tofu with parmesan looks so delicious i would like to make this at home
This tofu parmesan recipe is a game-changer for anyone looking to incorporate more plant-based meals into their diet! I've always loved the classic flavors of chicken parmesan, but this tofu version is just as satisfying and delicious.