can tofu be used in a spaghetti sauce instead of meat?

Question

Should I brown it first, like I would the meat? what kind of tofu should I use?

Answer 1

Yes you could do that. Dice firm tofu really small. It wouldn't be a bad idea to brown it first.

The other common alternative is TVP (textured vegetable protein), as it is generally in the size/shape as ground meat.

Answer 2

Yes. Tofu absorbs flavors like a sponge so you could soak it in vegetable or yeast extract stock before you use it and it will taste of the stock. It is best fried first and then added to pasta.I believe you can get Maggi stock cubes, if my memory serves, which is soy sauce stock, and that might be good with the tofu.

Answer 3

What would be better is tempeh. That's an Indonesian food made of fermented soybeans and formed into cakes. They have a nutty, chewy texture. Just crumble it into the sauce.

Or you can get veggie crumbles that resemble ground beef (Lightlife makes them) and use that.

I think both would work better in a spaghetti sauce than tofu.

Answer 4

I don't see why not. Tofu is pretty bland and will absorb the flavor of the spaghetti sauce. If you want to, go ahead and saute extra-firm tofu, cubed, in a bit of olive oil and seasonings (onion, garlic, spices, etc.)

Answer 5

I think so... I would use firm tofu and get all the liquid out. Season it and brown it a little with your favorite spices. Then add it to your sauce.

Answer 6

heck yes!
tofu is a good substitute for pretty much anything edible.

i suggest you use the firm tofu (but it all depends on how ur taste is and the texture u want it to feel )

use lots of spices and beef flavored stock

it'll taste just as good without killing the animals ^.^

Answer 7

Absolutely. My mother-in-law used tofu that was already ground up. Apparently they make it like that, with consistency similar to beef. She browned it a little, and put it in her sauce, and fed it to me, a known meat-eater. I didn't even notice!

Answer 8

Use bean curd skin (dried tofu) and chop it up.
It's got a really nice texture to it. It's brown & looks like the "skin" of fried bean curd but it isn't fried. You can find it in most asian suppermarkets or the asian section.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuba_(food)

Answer 9

Yes.
Extra Firm is best, but whatever you want.
Just chuck it in the sauce on on top, no need to prepare it or anything, but hot tastes better than cold, so heating it up with the sauce is good.

Answer 10

I think it would be kinda mushy, and i personally dont like it like that.

they do have "meatballs" and "ground beef".

theyre called textured vegetable protein, so its basically tofu, only its more like meat. try boca or morning star "meat", i love it.