Step 1

Preheat air fryer or oven to 350 degrees

Step 2

Add all the ingredients to a medium sized bowl except for the tofu

Step 3

Mix together until they form a paste

Step 4

Crumble the tofu into the bowl and mix with the paste

Step 5

Place in the air fryer pan or spread evenly on a pan then place in the air fryer/oven

Step 6

Bake for 15 min in the air fryer or 35-45 min in the oven. Oven temperatures may vary so watch it carefully and remove when browned. Place aside.

Step 7

Dice the onion, carrots, and celery first. You can get these cooking while you finish dicing the red bell pepper and zucchini to save time.

Step 8

Heat stock pot or Dutch oven on the stove at medium heat, add oil (avocado, canola, or olive are my preferred), then add the onions, carrots and celery and saute until softened.

Step 9

Add the red bell pepper and zucchini to the pot and saute until softened.

Step 10

Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and all the spices to the pot. Add 1/2 cup of water.

Step 11

Allow the sauce to get to a low boil then cover and reduce the heat to simmer for 30 minutes.

Step 12

Cook the pasta per package instructions while the sauce is simmering.

Step 13

When sauce is ready, add the tofu crumbles until heated through then turn off the heat and top the pasta with the sauce.

Step 14

INSTANT POT NOTE: If using the Instant Pot, follow the above directions using the saute mode to cook the vegetables first. Turn off when done sauteeing while you add the rest of the sauce ingredients. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. I would prefer to allow it to naturally release but if you are short on time, you can quick release. Be careful not to get burned from the hot steam! I like to cover it with a dish towel.

Step 15

BABY & TODDLER NOTE: Purée the sauce ingredients in a high speed blender or a stick blender to your preferred consistency. You may need to add extra water. Mix with the pasta. If using noodles you may want to use scissors to cut to smaller pieces.