From the Cook

1/5

Tofu Bolognese

The Urben Life Verified

Theurbenlife.com

Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Tofu Bolognese

14 ounces extra firm tofu

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp soy sauceuse tamari if gluten-free

1 yellow oniondiced

1 carrotdiced

1 large stalk celerydiced

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1 tsp salt

½ tsp black pepper

2 tablespoons tomato paste

28 ounces crushed tomatoes

1 cup water or vegetable stock

8 ounces pastauncooked

Fresh basil

Press the tofu for at least 30 minutes to remove the excess liquid. Warm olive oil in a dutch oven or large stockpot and add tofu. Crumble the tofu with your fingers as you place it in the pot. Cook the tofu over medium heat, continuing to break it apart. Stir in soy sauce once cooked to your preferred doneness.

Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery. Let cook until softened, about 10 minutes. Season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Stir in tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, and water. Bring to a boil, stir to combine, then lower to a simmer. Let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the package directions. Before straining the pasta, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water.

Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and give everything a big stir. Add ¼ cup of reserved pasta water to the sauce to thicken it up. Continue adding reserved pasta water until the sauce thickens and sticks to the noodles.

Taste and adjust seasonings, if needed. Before serving, top with a generous amount of fresh chopped basil.

Nutrition

My Calorie Intake

0
Review & Earn

Be the first to review this recipe and earn a 20% Bonus

Level up & unlock free Premium by reviewing recipes!

My Notes

Your kitchen notebook is waiting.

Whether it's a recipe tweak or an inspiration burst — jot it down here.

Tips & Tricks (5)

Press and Crumble Your Tofu Properly 🧊
Press extra-firm tofu between paper towels with a heavy weight for 15-20 minutes to remove excess moisture, then crumble it into bite-sized pieces for better texture absorption and a meatier consistency in your sauce.
Build Depth with Tomato Paste Caramelization 🍅
Toast your tomato paste in olive oil for 2-3 minutes before adding other ingredients to concentrate its flavors and create a richer, more complex base for your bolognese.
Develop Soffritto Slowly for Maximum Flavor 🧅
Cook your diced onion, carrot, and celery over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the vegetables to release their natural sugars and create a sweet, aromatic foundation.
Simmer Long and Low for Sauce Development ⏱️
Let your sauce simmer gently for at least 30-45 minutes on low heat rather than high heat; this allows flavors to meld, the sauce to thicken naturally, and the tofu to fully absorb the savory notes.
Season in Layers for Superior Depth 🌿
Add salt and pepper at three stages—after the soffritto, after the tofu crumbles, and at the end—rather than all at once, allowing each component to be properly seasoned and creating more nuanced flavors.