Tofu Parmesan Sandwiches

I’ve mentioned it before, but ever since I started cooking exclusively vegetarian, I’ve been seeking out meatless alternatives for my favorite dishes. Finding a tasty veggie alternative to Chicken Parmesan Sandwiches has taken a bit of time. First, I tried using eggplant. However, the eggplant ended up rubbery and didn’t work well in the sandwich. Is it because of some inherent flaw with eggplant? Probably not. Is it because I’m still admittedly pretty clueless when it comes to cooking eggplant? More likely. But hope is not lost, for now I feel like I’ve finally nailed it with these Tofu Parmesan Sandwiches!

It’s a well known fact that tofu is the MVP when it comes to meat substitutes. Tofu is magically versatile; you can use it for taco filling, in a curry, or breaded and fried between two slices of bread (keep reading!!)

Making the Sandwiches

These Tofu Parmesan Sandwiches are so easy to make that you can whip them together easily in less than 20 minutes of active time! First, you’ll press the moisture out of the tofu for 30 minutes. Then, you’ll coat slices of tofu in breading, and fry them until they’re beautifully golden brown. Next, assemble the sandwiches by layering marinara, tofu, mozzarella, and grated Parmesan. Finally, bake these guys in the oven until the bread is crispy and the cheese is melted to perfection!

Recommendations

For the bread, I’d recommend using ciabatta (which is what I used) or hoagie sandwich buns. For the marinara, you can definitely make your own if you’d like, but I use Trader Joe’s Tomato Basil Marinara. It makes things so much easier when making a weeknight dinner! I’m a firm believer that certain shortcuts are worth taking (looking at you, pie crust), and for this dinner jarred pasta sauce is your friend.

Related Recipes

Want even more vegetarian dinners? If you’re seeking even more tofu recipes, try this Tofu Thai Red Curry, or this Broccoli and Tofu Noodle Bowl. Craving enchiladas with a kick? Check out these Cauliflower and Pepper Enchiladas with Spicy Cream Sauce.

If you’re interested in a fun side to serve alongside these sandwiches, you might like this Spicy Spinach and Artichoke Dip!

Hope you enjoy!

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5 from 2 votes

Tofu Parmesan Sandwich

A tasty, filling, vegetarian sandwich loaded with melty mozzarella and crispy tofu!

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Keyword parmesan, tofu

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Pressing time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 55 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Ingredients

• 16 oz package extra firm tofu
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup marinara
• 8 ounces whole mozzarella sliced
• 1/4 cup Parmesan* grated
• 4 ciabatta hoagie, or sandwich rolls, sliced in half

Instructions

• Prepare the tofu for frying by draining the tofu, and placing it on a clean kitchen towel on top of a plate or other flat surface. Wrap the towel over the tofu, and place another place on top. Place a heavy object, such as cans or a book, over the top plate, and let sit for 30 minutes.
• Beat together the eggs in a shallow bowl.
• In another shallow bowl, add panko breadcrumbs, oregano, salt, and garlic powder.
• Preheat oven to 350F.
• Cut tofu lengthwise into 4 slices. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Bread the tofu by first dipping each slice in the egg wash, then in the breadcrumb mixture until the tofu is evenly coated.
• Fry the tofu in the skillet until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove from pan.
• Assemble the sandwiches by spreading a layer of marinara on the bottom half of a roll, then add a slice of fried tofu, then another layer or marinara, then a layer of mozzarella slices, then a generous sprinkle of Parmesan. Top with the top half of the roll, and place on a sheet pan. Repeat for remaining sandwiches.
• Bake sandwiches at 350F for 10 minutes, or until roll is slightly crispy and cheese is melted. Serve immediately.

Notes

*Not all Parmesan is vegetarian; traditional Parmesan from Europe is made using animal rennet. Be sure to check the label when purchasing Parmesan to ensure you buy Parmesan using vegetable rennet if you're a vegetarian.

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