Name: Garlic Noodles
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1 package noodles of choice (I used gluten-free fettuccine noodles); 2 cloves garlic, minced; 16 ounces, mushrooms, sliced (I used baby portobello); 1 large yellow onion, sliced into thin strips; 1 head broccoli, cut in florets; 1 red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips; 1 14 ounce package extra firm tofu, drained and pressed; 1 inch fresh ginger, minced; 3 Tablespoons chili paste; 2 Tablespoons soy sauce (or Tamari); 1 Tablespoon maple syrup; 1/2 Tablespoon white wine vinegar; 2 Scallions, chopped; 1 red chili pepper, seeded and sliced finely (optional; this will add more spice); 3 cloves minced garlic; 4 Tablespoons rice vinegar; 1/4 cup soy sauce or Tamari; 3 Tablespoon brown sugar (sub maple syrup if avoiding sugar); 4 cloves garlic; 1 Tablespoon chili paste; 1 Tablespoon vegan oyster sauce; 1 Tablespoon fresh grated ginger; 1 cup basil leaves; Black sesame seeds

When someone asks me what my favorite food is, I always say Asian food. Seriously, I could eat Asian food every day of my life, and I could live happily ever after. Today, I was looking for a quick and easy dinner, without a lot of fuss. So, I made a quick and easy Garlic noodle recipe I whipped up!

Of course, I wanted more than just garlic noodles, so I added some of my favorite vegetables, but the true beauty of this garlic noodle recipe is it all happens in one pan.

One of my other favorite recipes is my Vegan Spicy Thai Drunken Noodles with Seared Tofu recipe, but this time I wanted thinner noodles and a less spicy sauce. Also, I chose to skip the tofu today in favor of a few vegetables.

WHAT TYPE OF NOODLES ARE USED TO MAKE A GREAT GARLIC NOODLE RECIPE?

Traditionally, garlic noodles are generally made from linguini, spaghetti or angel hair pasta. Instead, I am using gluten-free fettuccine noodles. Also, my favorite Asian gluten-free thin rice noodles are fabulous with this dish. But, in a pinch, any thin pasta you prefer works just as well.

Whether you are allergic to gluten or simply want a healthier pasta option, gluten-free fettuccine noodles are a good choice. Chewy in texture, and subtle in flavor, noodles absorb the flavors of a great garlic sauce.

In the past, gluten-free pasta would fall apart and become gummy when cooked. Today’s gluten-free pasta cooks exactly like regular pasta, with healthier benefits. So, more often than not, I choose gluten-free pasta when I cook.

WHAT VEGGIES ARE IN THIS GARLIC NOODLE RECIPE?

Although most garlic noodle recipes are just noodles, veggies make me happy, and since this is my recipe, I am adding veggies. Similar to all my recipes, you can add your own favorite veggies, or follow my veggie lead. And, if you prefer an easier recipe, and you just want noodles, the veggies are optional, not required.

Because the focus of this garlic noodle recipe is obviously garlic, I chose vegetables I think to enhance and work well with garlic:

Onions
Mushrooms
Red bell pepper
Broccoli
Thai basil

But, if you want to add additional veggies, I might add:

Bok choy
Peapods
Bean sprouts
Green peppers
Zucchini

However, the trick to cooking vegetables perfectly when making stir-frying is simple. I call to call it cooking it layers, for example. First, I saute the garlic and the onions together. Then, I add the mushrooms, and in the end, I add the red peppers.

As a result, the red peppers stay al dente instead of overcooking. Also, one of my favorite kitchen hack tricks is to cook the broccoli with the noodles, in the same pot, while you cook the noodles.

LIKE ALL GOOD RECIPES, THE SECRET IS IN THE GARLIC NOODLE SAUCE

4 Tablespoons Rice Vinegar
1/4 cup Tamari, Liquid Aminos, or Soy Sauce
3 Tablespoons brown sugar
4 cloves, garlic, minced
1 Tablespoon chili paste
1 Tablespoon vegan oyster sauce
1 Tablespoon freshly grated ginger

So, the trick I have found with noodles, sauce, and vegetables, is less is more. Once the noodles are cooked with the broccoli, I toss them in the sauce and plate. Then, I add the other sauteed vegetables. Because the broccoli is so porous, it holds the flavors in the sauce and doesn’t make the other vegetables soggy.

IF YOU ARE A TOFU FAN, CHILI GLAZED MARINATED TOFU FOR GARLIC NOODLE RECIPE

Extra-firm tofu is my go-to tofu for most recipes because it’s easy to handle and contains less water. Again, for me, it’s all about convenience. Not only does extra firm tofu take less time to press, but it also stays together when grilling, baking, or sauteeing in a pan.

And then, there is sprouted tofu, the Cadillac of all tofu in my opinion. Sprouted tofu, for example, doesn’t need to be pressed. As a result, I chose extra-firm tofu to use for my chili marinated tofu recipe.

For years I avoided eating tofu. Every time I made tofu, I ended up moving it to the side of the plate, because it was either fried or mushy. Most restaurants fry it, which doesn’t interest me, and those who bake and grill it seemed to have the same issues I did; soft tasteless tofu.

Then, I figured it out with the help of my EZ Tofu Press. I bought it on Amazon, and in the beginning, I made the same mistakes. I didn’t follow the directions ( a problem I have haha); I was in a hurry as I usually am, and I got the same results….tasteless tofu I didn’t like.

Not only is the E-Z Tofu Press easy to use, but it is also the cheapest one on the market! And, I have owned it for years, and never had to replace it with a new one. So, if you are looking for a quality tofu press, that won’t break the bank, this one is a great deal.

FOLLOWING THESE SIMPLE STEPS, HOWEVER, AND BEING PATIENT, IS WHAT GOOD TOFU IS ALL ABOUT.

STEPS FOR PERFECTLY PRESSED TOFU EVERY TIME:

First, carefully remove the tofu from the package, discarding the fluid from the package. It’s delicate, though, so be gentle.
Then, place the tofu in the middle of the press and turn both knobs equally about four turns.
I usually place the tofu press in the sink on its side to drain properly.
Turn the knobs every two minutes, equally until the tofu is about an inch or inch and a half thickness.
Most people stop here….NOT YET. Keep turning until the knobs are screwed as far as they can to almost touch the opposite end.

WHAT’S IN THE CHILI GLAZED MARINATED TOFU RECIPE FOR GARLIC NOODLES?

1 inch of fresh ginger, minced
3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 Tablespoons soy sauce
3 Tablespoon chili paste
1 Tablespoon maple syrup
½ Tablespoon white wine or distilled white vinegar
2 scallions, chopped
1 red chili pepper, seeded and sliced finely
black sesame seeds for garnish

Once the tofu is marinated overnight, simply fire up the grill, and grill the chili marinated tofu to add to the top of the garlic noodles.

CHOOSE YOUR COOKING METHOD: (PICK ONE BELOW)

GRILLING TOFU

Pre-heat grill to 400 degrees or medium-low
You can place the marinated tofu directly on the grill or I use a grill basket
Grill for 4 minutes on each side, flipping 4 times (total 16 minutes)
Let cool slightly

BAKED VERSION (If you don’t have a grill)

Follow the same directions for marinating
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
Place tofu pieces on a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mats; I used my copper crisper pan

AIR-FRYER VERSION

Dip the marinated tofu on each side with cornstarch
Place large pieces into the basket, not touching each other
Cook on 370 for 10 minutes
Open the basket and turn large tofu pieces over
Bake for 10 more minutes

Regardless of how you choose to cook your tofu, I then cut it into cubes, so I can add it to my garlic noodles.

And, don’t forget to add a generous amount of basil and some black sesame seeds for an added touch of color.

If you meal prep and plan ahead, garlic noodles can be made ahead of time and reheated for a quick and easy lunch. So, if it’s a quick weeknight meal you are looking for, or you are making lunches for the week, garlic noodles are it!

LOOKING FOR QUICK AND EASY DINNER IDEAS OR LUNCH MEAL PREP, CHECK OUT THESE RECIPES:

6 servings

Garlic Noodles

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

This quick and easy garlic noodle recipe is full of savory, sweet, and rich flavor, loaded with garlic.

Ingredients

1 package noodles of choice (I used gluten-free fettuccine noodles)
2 cloves garlic, minced
16 ounces, mushrooms, sliced (I used baby portobello)
1 large yellow onion, sliced into thin strips
1 head broccoli, cut in florets
1 red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips

Chili Glazed Tofu (Optional)

1 14 ounce package extra firm tofu, drained and pressed
1 inch fresh ginger, minced
3 Tablespoons chili paste
2 Tablespoons soy sauce (or Tamari)
1 Tablespoon maple syrup
1/2 Tablespoon white wine vinegar
2 Scallions, chopped
1 red chili pepper, seeded and sliced finely (optional; this will add more spice)
3 cloves minced garlic

Garlic Noodle Sauce

4 Tablespoons rice vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce or Tamari
3 Tablespoon brown sugar (sub maple syrup if avoiding sugar)
4 cloves garlic
1 Tablespoon chili paste
1 Tablespoon vegan oyster sauce
1 Tablespoon fresh grated ginger

Garnish

1 cup basil leaves
Black sesame seeds

Instructions

CHILI GLAZED TOFU (OPTIONAL)

Press tofu using a tofu press
Cut the tofu into 4 equal slices (makes it easier to grill)
Prepare marinade by whisking all ingredients together.
Pour a small amount of marinade into a refrigerator safe dish.
Add two pieces of tofu, more marinade, more tofu, and end with marinade.
Marinate the tofu overnight or at least a few hours.

PREPARE GARLIC NOODLE SAUCE

In a high-speed blender, combine all ingredients and blend until smooth.
The sauce may be made ahead of time and used when you are ready to make the rest of the dish.

GRILLING THE TOFU

Choose the best cooking method for the tofu provided in the post.
If grilling the tofu, as I did, pre-heat your grill to 400 degrees
Wait until the grill is hot, and place the tofu pieces directly on the grill or use a grilling mat.
Then, flip tofu every 4 minutes for 16 minutes to get beautiful grill marks
Return the grilled tofu to the marinade, and when cooled, cut into cubes.
Set aside.

PREPARING THE NOODLES AND VEGETABLES

Boil a large pot of water with a teaspoon of salt.
When it begins to boil, add the noodles, and follow the cooking time indicated on the package of noodles you plan to us.
In the meantime, saute the onion and garlic together, until the onion is translucent. I use a little vegetable broth or water to prevent sticking.
Then, add the mushrooms and cook until brown.
3 minutes before the noodles are done cooking, add the broccoli to the noodles and stir together, so the broccoli is submerged in the hot boiling water.
Now, add the red bell pepper to the mushroom, onion, and garlic to saute for only a few minutes, so it is al dente.
When it is time to take the noodles off the heat, using a colander, drain the noodles and broccoli together.
Return the noodles and broccoli to the pan you cooked them in, and now pour the garlic sauce over the top.
Using tongs, toss the noodles and broccoli in the sauce.
Then, serve in bowls and add the sauteed onions, garlic, mushrooms, and red bell peppers.
Add cubed chili glazed tofu and sprinkle with black sesame seeds.
Add a generous portion of Thai basil (or regular basil) to each dish.