Marry Me Vegan Chicken with Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta Recipe
A creamy, flavorful vegan take on the classic ‘Marry Me’ pasta dish featuring crispy tofu ‘chicken’ fillets, sun-dried tomatoes, smoky spices, and a rich plant-based cream sauce served with bow-tie pasta and fresh basil.
- Author: Luna
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying and Stovetop
- Cuisine: Vegan, Western
- Diet: Vegan
Vegan Chicken (Tofu) Fillets
- 200g tofu, sliced into 0.5-inch thick fillets
- 1 tbsp cornflour
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic pepper
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 tbsp oil, for frying
- 1 tbsp (15g) butter
Sauce and Pasta
- 2 shallots, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 5–6 sun-dried tomatoes, finely diced
- 2 tbsp tomato puree
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp cayenne chili pepper
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 500ml vegetable stock
- 150ml plant-based cream
- 150g bow-tie (farfalle) pasta
- 1 handful fresh basil, chopped
- Prepare the Pasta Base: Melt the butter in a large saucepan or casserole dish over low-medium heat. Add the finely diced shallots and sauté for 5-6 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release its aroma.
- Add Tomato and Spices: Mix in the tomato puree, diced sun-dried tomatoes, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne chili pepper, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Simmer with Stock and Pasta: Pour in the vegetable stock while stirring, then add the bow-tie pasta. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 7-8 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
- Add Cream and Finalize Pasta: Once the pasta is nearly cooked, pour in the plant-based cream, stir to incorporate, and simmer a little longer if needed until the pasta reaches desired consistency.
- Prepare the Vegan Chicken (Tofu): While the pasta simmers, drain and pat the tofu dry with a clean cloth to remove excess moisture. Slice into 0.5-inch thick fillets.
- Coat the Tofu: On a plate or shallow container, mix cornflour with smoked paprika, garlic pepper, oregano, and salt. Dredge tofu fillets in the seasoned cornflour mixture until fully coated.
- Fry the Tofu: Heat oil in a shallow pan over medium heat. Fry the tofu fillets for 2-3 minutes on each side until crispy and golden. Remove and slice thinly on a chopping board.
- Serve the Dish: Plate the creamy Marry Me pasta, top with sliced tofu fillets, sprinkle chopped fresh basil on top, and season with extra garlic pepper if desired. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Drain and press tofu thoroughly to remove moisture for a better crust when frying.
- Stir pasta frequently during cooking to prevent sticking.
- Adjust cayenne chili pepper according to spice preference.
- Use fresh basil or substitute with dried oregano if basil is unavailable.
- Serve immediately as tofu will lose crispiness if left to sit.
Keywords: vegan marry me pasta, tofu chicken, plant-based creamy pasta, sun-dried tomato pasta, vegan main dish, smoky vegan pasta