Sesame-Ginger Glazed Tofu and Vegetable Noodles
A vibrant stir-fry featuring crispy pan-seared tofu in a glossy ginger-sesame sauce, tossed with rice noodles and crisp vegetables. Ready in under 30 minutes. This asian-inspired pasta (vegetarian, gluten-free) ready in about 30 minutes pairs pressed and cubed firm tofu, rice noodles, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 14 oz, pressed and cubed firm tofu
- 12 oz rice noodles
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp, grated fresh ginger
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1, thinly sliced red bell pepper
- 1 cup snap peas
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp, toasted sesame seeds
- 2, sliced green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz rice noodles and cook for 5-7 minutes until tender but still firm; drain and reserve 1/4 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 14 oz cubed tofu and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden and crispy; set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated ginger, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant—do not brown.
- Step 4: Add 2 cups broccoli, 1 sliced red bell pepper, and 1 cup snap peas; stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until crisp-tender.
- Step 5: Whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp sesame oil, and 1 tsp cornstarch in a small bowl. Pour over vegetables and stir for 1 minute until sauce thickens and coats the vegetables.
- Step 6: Add drained rice noodles and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water to the skillet; toss gently for 2 minutes until heated through. Return tofu to the skillet and toss to coat.
- Step 7: Transfer to a serving dish, sprinkle with 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 2 sliced green onions.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sesame-Ginger Glazed Tofu and Vegetable Noodles take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Sesame-Ginger Glazed Tofu and Vegetable Noodles?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pressed and cubed firm tofu from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sesame-Ginger Glazed Tofu and Vegetable Noodles?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Sesame-Ginger Glazed Tofu and Vegetable Noodles for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Sesame-Ginger Glazed Tofu and Vegetable Noodles vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian, gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Perfect pasta recipe for a weeknight dinner.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 15-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.