With Easter quickly approaching, I have been trying to decide what to make for our family meal. Before we became vegetarians, we used to have a late lunch, around 2pm, and would have all the typical foods. A turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, salad, and other various things would dress our table. The last couple years I have been at a loss on what to make; Everyone wants something delicious, filling, and ‘special.’ That’s when I heard about Kraft Fresh Takes, and how they could make a plainer dish into something amazing.
After looking through the different types; Italian Parmesan, Cheddar Jack w/ Bacon, or Southwest 3-Cheese, I decided on the Italian Parmesan. While these blends are typically to go along with meat, I decided that I could use it with tofu and it would be equally easy.I had a great idea for an Easter meal, Baked Tofu Parmesan! At only $1.98 per package (great deal, it even includes cheese!), I decided to get 2 based on the size of the recipe I was creating.
While at the store I didn’t realize right away that this breadcrumb blend also came with cheese. I’m not talking a little tiny bit of cheese either, it was a large quality, perfect for cooking. At $1.98 per package, this Fresh Take.
Okay, so now for the recipe. It was relatively easy making the Baked Tofu Parmesan. Even as a vegetarian, I was skeptical on how it would turn out, but it was SO good. I had never tried freezing tofu before cooking it, but this made a HUGE difference. The Kraft Fresh Take product coated the tofu perfectly and really gave an exceptional flavor.
You can see how perfect the tofu strips look coated in the Fresh Take seasoning and cheese. Also, one big tip I learned recently for cooking anything breaded, is to put it on a wire rack in the oven. It makes a HUGE difference. Instead of the breading getting soggy and falling off on the bottom, it stays on and gets nice and crispy. Any juices fall into the pan underneath the rack, and the food doesn’t just sit in them getting soggy. Genius!
I swear this recipe would delight vegetarians and meat eaters a like. It was seriously so tasty. We ate it all up for dinner, and both my husband and I cannot wait to make this winning recipe for Easter!
- 1 block extra firm tofu
- 2 packages Kraft Fresh Take Italian Parmesan
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1/4 cup flour
- oil spray
- 1 jar marinara sauce, any variety
- 1. Slice the tofu in 1/4 inch slices and set on clean kitchen towel. Place another clean kitchen towel on top of the slices, and stack some books or other even heavy objects on top of towel. Let sit for at least 30 minutes. This will squeeze excess water out of the tofu.
- 2. Place tofu slices on a cookie sheet, and place in freezer for 25-30 minutes to flash freeze.
- 3. Heat oven to 400 degrees.
- 4. Place flour in a shallow dish. Place beaten eggs in a separate shallow dish. Mix bread crumbs from BOTH packages of Fresh Take in a shallow dish, and add cheese from one pack to the breadcrumb mixture. Set aside the cheese from other package.
- 5. After the tofu has been in the freezer for 30 minutes, remove, and set aside.
- 6. Prep a cookie sheet but placing it to the side of your egg/flour/crumb station and put a wire rack on top of the cookie sheet (the kind of wire rack you use for cooling cookies). Spray the rack with nonstick spray.
- 7. Take a slice of tofu, coat with flour, dip into egg mixture, and then press into breadcrumb/cheese mixture. Press down on each side, making sure to coat completely with the crumbs. Place coated slice onto wire rack. Repeat with all the tofu slices until you are finished. Spray tops of tofu slices lightly with oil spray and place in preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes, watching them after the 18 minute mark to be sure not to burn. They should be browned and crispy. Remove from oven.
- 8. Taking a glass baking dish (9x11 worked well for me), spray with nonstick spray, and then cover the bottom of the dish with marinara sauce (a light layer). Place tofu slices side by side in the baking dish. **If you have too many to fit at the bottom, feel free to stack them (add a layer of sauce between stacking). Using a spoon, add marinara on top of each tofu slice, coating the top, but not adding too much (about 1.5 TBS per slice). Sprinkle remaining cheese on top of sauced tofu slices.
- 9. Place back in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted and sauce is warmed through.
- 10. Remove and serve slices.
- Serving size: 3-4 slices per person, serves 4 people.
Like tofu as much as I do? Check out these other recipes from Domestic Superhero:
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Thanks for visiting!
– Allyson
Thank you for the nice recipe.
You are welcome, Liz! I hope you like it as much as we did!
That looks delicious!
I am typically not a fan of tofu, but I have to tell ya that this actually sounds delicious, so maybe I should give tofu a second chance?
Robin, I always hear people saying that! I think this recipe would be great for you to try it out again! I swear my husband couldn’t even tell this was tofu!
I have never eaten Tofu … I will have to give it a try. This sounds like a recipe that would be good for me to try tofu – the recipe sounds delicious!
Debbie, this recipe would be perfect for that! I also have a few other really really great tofu recipes on my blog that I think you would love: https://domesticsuperhero.com/2014/02/26/general-tsos-tofu/
and
https://domesticsuperhero.com/2013/03/20/easy-baked-tofu/
I have had tofu, but trying to get hubby to eat it is another story. Will just spring this recipe on him. Wish me luck!
This sounds really good and looks like a great way to have tofu!
My 8-year-old nephew absolutely adores tofu. I have no idea where he got that inclination, because his family is not vegan and do not eat tofu. However, since he likes it so much, I look for ways to cook it for him. This is an excellent recipe – quick and easy. I’ll definitely try it.
You should definitely try it! It is one that your whole non-tofu eating family would enjoy! I promise!
perfect for my 8 year old- she’s a vegetarian!! looks good
I really love that you took a different angle and used tofu for your Fresh Take recipe! Yummy!
That looks really interesting! I like to try new things.. I shoudl try it with my kids!
There are so many delicious flavors, so the world is wide open with these! I love your idea!
I Love Tofu Looks Amazingly Delicious!
This looks so good! I love tofu but I never know what to do with it so I wind up making stir fry.
Interesting that Kraft thought of this! We always dip in egg, then bread crumbs – never thought of cheese! Sounds yummy!
I’m not a vegetarian, but that certainly looks indulgent and delicious to me! I’ll have to try this with ym family one night and see if they notice the lack of meat! #Client
i have never had tofu before, this recipe looks great!
My vegetarian nephew is coming to visit this summer and this would be perfect to make for him. Thanks so much
My daughter is a vegetarian and I’m always looking for new options for her. She will love this!
My niece is a big tofu fan. I’m going to send this to my sister in law so she can try this out! Thanks for sharing!
I have used the Fresh Take Products many times and my family really enjoys everything I make with them.
I’ve never been much of a tofu fan, but I have a friend who has some serious digestion issues and she eats it every day. She would love this, since she often tires of eating it plain. – Katy
wow! It did come out perfect! I know how difficult this can be to do especially with tofu! Thanks for the directions!
Wow that looks amazing! Always on the look out for delicious and healthy recipes, so thanks!