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    Home » Recipes » Vegetarian Italian Recipes

    Nov 14, 2021 · Modified: Mar 4, 2022 by Becca Heyes · This post may contain affiliate links · 6 Comments

    Pizza Baked Tofu

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    Total time: 45 minutes
    Servings: 2 people
    5 from 1 vote
    Jump to Recipe Rate this Recipe

    This pizza baked tofu is quick and easy to prepare, and is a super high protein way to enjoy those classic pizza flavours! Customise with your favourite toppings.

    Aerial shot of tofu baked in a dish, topped with cheese and pizza toppings.

    Is there anything that’s not improved by smothering it in tomato sauce and cheese? I’m generally not a huge fan of plain bread, for example, but slap a bit of sauce and cheese on it and call it a pizza, and I’m sold.

    The same goes for this pizza baked tofu - it's enough to convert even the most ardent tofu sceptic.

    Pizza baked tofu in a baking dish, with peppers and olives.

    What is pizza baked tofu?

    This pizza baked tofu consists of:

    • big pieces of extra firm tofu (this is in place of the usual bread base!)
    • rich tomato pizza sauce (I used a shop-bought sauce, because lazy)
    • gooey melted mozzarella cheese
    • my favourite pizza toppings

    It's all baked up in one dish, so it takes next to no time to prepare. Just assemble it all in the dish, and pop it in the oven to get nice and bubbly.

    A piece of tofu in tomato sauce, served in a bowl topped with fresh basil.

    How to make pizza baked tofu

    Step 1: Prepare the tofu

    Cut your block of extra firm tofu into two nice big slabs - like you would if you were making tofu steaks.

    At this point, you can press the tofu, if you like. It squeezes a lot of liquid out of the tofu, and will give a slightly firmer end result. To do this, you can use a tofu press (like this one: Amazon US / Amazon UK).

    Or, if you don't have one, you can just sandwich the pieces of tofu between two clean tea towels, and place something heavy on top (like some cookbooks or a few heavy pans). Leave it for at least 10 minutes or so.

    If I'm honest though, I very rarely bother pressing my tofu 'properly'. Usually the effect is barely noticeable, as I discovered when I investigated the best way to cook tofu, and honestly, I just can't be bothered. It's one step too much faff for me.

    Instead, I usually just press the tofu by hand, using a tea towel. Even just firmly pressing down on the tofu for a few seconds either side can absorb a surprising amount of liquid, and it takes a fraction of the time.

    Two slices of tofu in a baking dish with tomato sauce.

    Step 2: Add tomato sauce

    Place the tofu in a baking dish, on a bed of tomato sauce.

    I used a shop-bought tomato sauce, because again: lazy (but to be fair to myself, also busy, and always tired). I like quick food, not something that's going to take me all day.

    If you have a little more energy than I do, feel free to make your own (make your tomato sauce in the slow cooker if you like!).

    Tofu and tomato sauce in a baking dish, topped with raw vegetables.

    Step 3: Add pizza toppings

    Here's the fun bit! You can add whatever toppings you usually enjoy on pizza - see below for some ideas. Just scatter the toppings you've chosen all over the place.

    As long as it's something that will cook in the oven in 20 minutes or so, get it in there! Just don't overcrowd the dish too much, or it may end up a bit watery.

    Uncooked pizza topped tofu in a baking dish.

    Step 4: Add cheese

    And of course, the pièce de résistance: mozzarella cheese.

    I used a small ball of fresh mozzarella that I tore into pieces (so satisfying). Grated mozzarella would work just fine too, or even just some good old cheddar. I don't discriminate when it comes to cheese.

    Pop it in the oven until the cheese is starting to crisp up, and the sauce is nice and bubbly.

    Tofu in a baking dish, with tomato sauce, pizza toppings, and crispy cheese.

    You'll end up with firm pieces of tofu that soak up the rich tomato sauce from both sides, making it super tasty. And the vegetables and cheese are truly reminiscent of my favourite pizza.

    A dish of pizza baked tofu with crispy cheese.

    What vegetarian pizza toppings can you use on this baked tofu?

    The beauty of this pizza baked tofu is that you never have to make it the same way twice. Just like with a regular pizza, it can be customised with your favourite pizza toppings.

    This time, I used:

    • yellow peppers
    • mushrooms
    • sliced black olives
    • dried basil

    I tried to choose a range of colours, flavours and textures, to make the end result really tasty.

    Of course, if you don't like my choices of pizza toppings, you can opt for whatever else you like:

    • sweetcorn
    • diced red onion
    • pineapple chunks (don't come for me)
    • red or green peppers
    • diced tomatoes
    • jalapeños
    • artichokes

    and so on.

    Pizza baked tofu in a bowl with vegetables and cheese.

    How to serve pizza baked tofu

    We ate our pizza baked tofu for lunch with a slice of garlic bread. It was the perfect balance between something light (well, lighter than real pizza anyway), and something rich and hearty.

    If you want a more substantial meal, serve it with some spaghetti underneath, coated in a little more tomato sauce.

    A knife and fork cutting a piece of tofu baked with tomato sauce and cheese.

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    Pizza Baked Tofu

    This pizza baked tofu is quick and easy to prepare, and is a super high protein way to enjoy those classic pizza flavours! Customise with your favourite toppings.

    If you've cooked this recipe, don't forget to leave a star rating!

    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Comment
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Servings: 2 people
    Calories: 467kcal
    Author: Becca Heyes

    Ingredients

    • 400 g (~ 1 lb) extra firm tofu
    • 250 g (~ 1 cup) good quality tomato pasta sauce
    • Your favourite pizza toppings (I used yellow pepper, mushrooms, and sliced black olives)
    • 125 g (~ 4 ½ oz) fresh mozzarella, roughly torn
    • 2 tablespoon finely grated vegetarian parmesan-style cheese
    • ½ teaspoon dried basil (or dried mixed herbs)

    Instructions

    • Cut the tofu into two thick slices, and squeeze out any excess liquid. You can use a tofu press if you have one, or just squeeze the slices of tofu tightly inside a clean tea towel.
    • Add half of the tomato sauce to a baking dish (mine measured around 7 x 11 inches), and place the two slices of tofu on top. Spread the remaining sauce on top of the tofu.
    • Scatter over your favourite pizza toppings, being sure not to overcrowd the dish. Then add the torn pieces of mozzarella, and a little parmesan too. I also added some dried basil.
    • Bake at 190°C (Gas Mark 5 / 375°F) for around 20-25 minutes, until the cheese has crisped up to your liking.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 piece - Calories: 467 kcal - Carbohydrates: 13.5 g - Protein: 37.4 g - Fat: 29.9 g - Saturated Fat: 11.9 g - Cholesterol: 47 mg - Sodium: 680 mg - Potassium: 338 mg - Fiber: 3.2 g - Sugar: 3.2 g - Calcium: 553 mg - Iron: 2 mg

    Nutritional information is approximate, and will depend on your exact ingredients. Please calculate your own nutritional values if you require accuracy for health reasons.

    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @EasyCheesyVeg or tag #EasyCheesyVegetarian!

    Here's another of my favourite ways to make tofu tasty: cheesy tofu meatballs!

    * This post contains some affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    More Vegetarian Italian Recipes

    • Mediterranean Scrambled Eggs with Feta
    • Caprese Risotto (Tomato, Mozzarella and Basil)
    • Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Pasta Shells
    • Easy Lentil Pizza (with Regular Crust)
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    Comments

    1. Faith @ For the Health of It says

      April 18, 2012 at 4:44 pm

      What a creative idea! And can I just tell you how much I love that you didn't totally skimp on the carbs by serving it with spaghetti?

      Reply
      • Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says

        April 18, 2012 at 6:20 pm

        Haha I'm not one to shy away from carbs ;)

        Reply
      • Dee says

        June 20, 2012 at 5:40 am

        Made this tonight for me and hubby, we loved it, i followed your suggestion and added sliced olives overtop, it was delicious. We served it with roasted asparagus spears

        Reply
    2. MissFeelo says

      April 18, 2012 at 4:25 pm

      http://missfeelo.tumblr.com/post/21326317365/ever-heard-of-tofu-pizza-yeah-me-either-but took some photos and linked to this post! :3

      Reply
      • Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says

        April 18, 2012 at 6:19 pm

        Cool! Thanks :) Glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    3. MissFeelo says

      April 18, 2012 at 3:04 pm

      Oh god.. I am going to make this right now... looks SO incredibly delicious!

      Reply

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