Easy & Delicious Tofu Lo Mein: Your High-Protein, Flavorful Homemade Takeout Favorite
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Craving the comforting flavors of your favorite Chinese takeout but looking for a healthier, homemade alternative? Look no further! This easy tofu lo mein recipe brings all the deliciousness of traditional lo mein right into your kitchen, ready in minutes and packed with wholesome ingredients. Perfect for busy weeknights or a satisfying Sunday meal, this vegetarian and vegan-friendly dish will quickly become a go-to in your recipe collection.
Recreating Childhood Favorites: The Magic of Homemade Lo Mein
Growing up, lo mein was a staple. While I enjoyed many other Chinese takeout options, there was something uniquely satisfying about a large container of lo mein. It felt like an endless feast, perfect for indulging on a lazy Sunday and providing ample leftovers for the week ahead. Those memories of savory noodles, crisp vegetables, and a delightful sauce are etched in my mind, making lo mein one of my ultimate comfort foods.
Today, I’m thrilled to share a fantastic method for making easy tofu lo mein right in your own kitchen. This recipe allows you to recapture that nostalgic takeout experience with a fresh, homemade twist. It’s not just about replicating a dish; it’s about creating a meal that perfectly fits our modern, active lifestyles while still delivering on flavor and satisfaction.
Why Tofu Lo Mein is the Perfect Protein-Packed Meal
As a vegetarian, and with my husband Robbie being mostly vegetarian (with the exception of occasional seafood), I constantly seek out recipes that are not only delicious but also incredibly filling and rich in protein. Our household runs on high energy! Robbie, my incredibly active husband, is a dedicated landscaper who often logs 20,000 to 30,000 steps a day, and he also enjoys running for fun. Naturally, we need meals that can keep up with our busy, active lifestyle.
This is where our easy tofu lo mein truly shines. Tofu, a versatile plant-based protein, is a fantastic foundation for a satisfying meal. When prepared correctly, it offers a wonderful texture and absorbs flavors beautifully. Combined with crisp vegetables and a protein-rich pasta, this dish provides the sustained energy we need to power through our days.
The Power of ProteinPLUS Spaghetti in Your Lo Mein
To further boost the protein content and ensure this meal truly satisfies, I incorporated Barilla ProteinPLUS Spaghetti into this lo mein recipe. This pasta is a game-changer! Each serving boasts an impressive 17g of protein, which is incredibly helpful for staying full and energized. The spaghetti strands are perfectly sized for lo mein, offering that familiar, delightful chewiness you expect from classic noodle dishes.
Using Barilla ProteinPLUS Spaghetti is a fantastic way to elevate a simple meal into a truly nourishing one. It provides a robust foundation for our tofu lo mein, making it not only delicious but also incredibly substantial. I was genuinely surprised by how satisfying a serving of this lo mein was – far more so than any takeout version I’ve had before. The combination of crispy tofu, fresh vegetables, and these protein-packed noodles creates a meal that leaves you feeling comfortably full and fueled.
Crafting Your Perfect Easy Tofu Lo Mein
This recipe is designed to be incredibly simple yet bursting with flavor. The key to truly delicious lo mein lies in fresh ingredients and a few essential techniques. Here’s a deeper dive into making your easy tofu lo mein a resounding success:
The Secret to Crispy Tofu
One of the most crucial steps for excellent tofu lo mein is ensuring your tofu is wonderfully crispy. This adds a fantastic textural contrast to the soft noodles and tender vegetables. The process begins with properly pressing the tofu. Tofu contains a lot of water, and removing this excess moisture is essential for achieving a firm texture that fries up golden and absorbs flavor like a sponge. Simply drain your block of tofu, wrap it in a clean kitchen towel, and place a heavy object (like a cast iron pan or a stack of cookbooks) on top. Let it press for 30-40 minutes; this seemingly small step makes a huge difference!
Once pressed, dice the tofu into small, bite-sized chunks. Tossing these pieces with a bit of cornstarch before pan-frying is another key trick. The cornstarch creates a light coating that becomes incredibly crispy when cooked, giving you that satisfying “fried” texture without deep-frying. Fry the tofu in sesame oil and a splash of soy sauce until all sides are golden brown and crisp. This step not only makes the tofu delicious but also infuses it with a foundational layer of savory flavor.
Flexible Vegetable Additions for Your Lo Mein
While fresh sugar snap peas and sliced baby bella mushrooms are perfect choices for this lo mein recipe, the beauty of homemade lo mein is its adaptability. Feel free to incorporate whatever vegetables you have on hand or what’s in season. Carrots, thinly sliced and added early to soften, or chopped green onions (scallions) for a fresh, pungent finish, would also be fantastic additions. Other great options include:
- **Bell peppers:** Red, yellow, or orange peppers add a pop of color and sweet crunch.
- **Bok choy or spinach:** Wilted greens are a healthy and delicious complement.
- **Broccoli florets:** For a heartier green vegetable, steam them slightly before adding to the pan.
- **Water chestnuts or bamboo shoots:** To add an authentic Asian crunch.
The goal is to have a vibrant mix of textures and nutrients, so don’t hesitate to experiment with your favorite stir-fry friendly vegetables!
The Essential Flavor Boosters: Ginger and Garlic
When it comes to Asian-inspired recipes, fresh ginger and garlic are non-negotiables for me. These aromatic powerhouses add an incredible depth of flavor that can’t be replicated. Minced garlic and finely chopped fresh ginger create a vibrant, pungent base that elevates the entire dish from good to outstanding. Don’t skimp on these ingredients; they are the heart and soul of the lo mein’s deliciousness!
The simple act of sautéing these aromatics in sesame oil before adding the vegetables allows their flavors to bloom, permeating every component of the dish. This alone will add a whole new level of deliciousness to your easy tofu lo mein.
The Perfectly Simple Lo Mein Sauce
Forget complicated sauces with a dozen ingredients! For this easy tofu lo mein, we keep the sauce incredibly straightforward yet incredibly effective. A simple combination of good quality soy sauce and aromatic sesame oil is all you need. The key is to add it to taste at the very end, tossing it through the hot noodles and vegetables until everything is perfectly coated and glistening.
This minimalist approach allows the natural flavors of the fresh ginger, garlic, and vegetables to shine, while the soy sauce provides umami and saltiness, and the sesame oil adds its signature nutty fragrance. Start with the suggested amounts in the recipe card, and then feel free to adjust to your personal preference. Want a bit more savory depth? Add more soy sauce. Craving a richer aroma? A touch more sesame oil will do the trick. It’s truly that simple to achieve a delicious, balanced flavor profile!
Where to Find Your Ingredients
You can find Barilla ProteinPLUS Spaghetti and all the fresh produce needed for this recipe at your local grocery store. I personally picked up my Barilla ProteinPLUS at Kroger, where it’s readily available. Opting for quality ingredients, especially fresh vegetables and a reliable pasta, ensures the best possible outcome for your homemade lo mein.
A Meal Perfect for Leftovers and Meal Prep
One of the best things about this easy tofu lo mein recipe is that it makes a huge amount, making it absolutely perfect for leftovers! This is a fantastic dish for meal prepping at the beginning of the week. Simply portion out the cooked lo mein into individual containers, and you’ll have delicious, protein-packed lunches or quick dinners ready to go. The flavors often deepen overnight, making the leftovers even more enjoyable. It’s a smart and tasty way to ensure you have wholesome, homemade meals even on your busiest days.
Ready to try this incredible, easy, and satisfying tofu lo mein? Gather your ingredients and get cooking! You’ll love how quickly this comes together and how flavorful each bite is. Don’t forget to share your creations and any delicious twists you discover!
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Easy Tofu Lo Mein
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Ingredients
- 14 oz tofu
- 8 oz sugar snap peas
- 16 oz sliced baby bella mushrooms
- 10 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh ginger
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 box Barilla ProteinPLUS Spaghetti
- soy sauce
- sesame oil
Instructions
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Drain tofu and place between a kitchen towel. Place a heavy object (such as a cast iron pan) on top and allow to press for 30-40 minutes
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After pressing, dice tofu into small chunks and toss with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, until coated
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Heat a large nonstick skillet with 2 tablespoons of sesame oil and 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
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Once hot, add in the tofu and pan fry for 15-20 minutes, or until crispy on all sides
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Remove tofu from skillet and set aside
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Begin cooking spaghetti at this time
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Cook until al dente or longer, for softer texture
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Using the same skillet the tofu cooked in, add 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and heat to medium high
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Once hot, add in peas, mushrooms, garlic, and ginger
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Cook for 10-12 minutes, or until mushrooms release their liquid and cook down
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Add tofu and cooked spaghetti and toss to combine
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Add soy sauce and sesame oil to taste (I added 5 tablespoons of soy sauce and 2 tablespoons of sesame oil)
Nutrition
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