Basil Pasta with Air-Fried Tofu

Ingredients

• 8 oz firm or extra-firm tofu (Pressed and cut into 1/2-inch cubes)
• 1 tbsp cornstarch (For coating the tofu)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce (Use tamari for a gluten-free version)
• 1 tbsp olive oil (Divided between the tofu and sauce)
• 6 oz dried pasta (Use vegan pasta; spaghetti, linguine, or short pasta all work)
• 2 cup fresh basil leaves (Loosely packed)
• 2 cloves garlic (Peeled)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice (Freshly squeezed)
• 2 tbsp nutritional yeast (Adds savory, cheese-like flavor)
• 0.25 cup unsweetened plant milk (Add enough to create a smooth, spoonable sauce)
• salt (To taste; use some for the pasta water and adjust the sauce as needed)
• black pepper (To taste)

Steps

1. 1

   Press the tofu for at least 10 minutes to remove excess moisture. Cut it into 1/2-inch cubes and pat the cubes dry with a clean towel; drier tofu becomes crisper.

2. 2

   Place the tofu in a bowl and toss it with the soy sauce until evenly coated. Sprinkle in the cornstarch and toss again until a thin, dry-looking coating covers the cubes.

3. 3

   Preheat an air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the tofu in a single layer in the basket, leaving space between pieces. Air-fry for 12–16 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the tofu is golden and crisp.

4. 4

   Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta.

5. 5

   While the pasta cooks, add the basil, garlic, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, plant milk, 2 teaspoons of the olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper to a blender. Blend until smooth and bright green, scraping down the sides as needed.

6. 6

   Warm the remaining olive oil in a large skillet over low heat. Pour in the blended basil sauce and heat gently for 1–2 minutes, stirring continuously. Do not let the sauce boil, or the basil may lose its fresh flavor.

7. 7

   Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss until every strand is coated. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time until it reaches a silky consistency.

8. 8

   Taste the pasta and adjust the salt, pepper, lemon juice, or nutritional yeast as needed. Divide it between bowls and top with the crisp air-fried tofu. Serve immediately.

Notes

The source provides a title and general dish concept but no written ingredient list or method. Quantities and preparation details are reconstructed estimates rather than extracted instructions. For best texture, serve the tofu immediately and keep it separate until plating.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• vegan
• dairy-free
• comfort food
• air-fried
• pasta
• high-protein
• quick meal