Fried Cabbage and Noodles with Tofu

This Fried Cabbage and Noodles with Tofu recipe may not look fancy, but it tastes so good! I make this easy dinner recipe all the time, and the caramelized cabbage and onion go great with the crispy tofu and noodles. Add some fresh herbs for extra flavor, and enjoy this cozy vegan dinner on a weeknight when you want something simple, yet delicious.

I was hesitant to share this Fried Cabbage and Noodles with Tofu recipe on here because, while I make it for myself all the time, it’s definitely a humble dish. You need just a few simple ingredients, and as you can see, it’s not super colorful.

And yet… It’s so good, and I could eat it for dinner every week. The herbs add some brightness and flavor, the caramelized cabbage and onion add a savory and slightly sweet flavor, and the grated tofu gets nice and crispy; it reminds me of ground turkey. This recipe is great for an easy weeknight, go-to meal to make over and over again.

Fried Cabbage and Noodle Recipe Ingredients

• Noodles – I used mini shells for this recipe, which is perfect because the noodles, cabbage, and tofu are all about the same size, making it easy to eat. I recommend a bite-sized noodle rather than a long spaghetti noodle.
• Tofu – I like to use super-firm tofu that comes pre-pressed, so all I have to do for preparation is pat it dry. You should be able to find super-firm tofu at most grocery stores; I’ve bought it at Trader Joe’s, Sprouts, and Walmart. If you can’t find super-firm tofu, I suggest extra-firm tofu that’s been pressed.
• Cabbage – I used green cabbage for this recipe because it browns and caramelizes easily once cooked down. The cabbage has a nice sweet flavor that I love. You could use purple cabbage instead.
• Onion – I used about half a yellow onion, sliced thinly. The onion caramelizes a bit, along with the cabbage, and adds some nice flavor.
• Garlic – Fresh garlic adds flavor and complements the cabbage and onion. If fresh garlic isn’t your thing, you can always use garlic powder instead.
• Tamari – You can use tamari or soy sauce for this recipe. This is not an Asian-inspired dish, but I love how the soy sauce cooks with the tofu and cabbage, adding tons of flavor.
• Fresh Herbs – I add some fresh thyme and fresh parsley. This recipe isn’t super colorful and only has a few ingredients, so I like to throw some fresh herbs in to add flavor and brighten everything up.
• Salt and Pepper – Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.

How To Make Fried Cabbage and Noodles with Crispy Grated Tofu

1. Heat a large pot of water and place it over medium-high heat. Bring water to a boil, add in your pasta, and cook according to package directions. Drain the pasta and add it back to the pot.
2. Press your tofu if needed and grate it on the large side of a box grater. Once the tofu is shredded, pat it dry with a clean kitchen towel. Heat a large pan over medium heat and add a drizzle of olive oil. Next, add the tofu, along with a pinch of salt, and let it cook until starting to brown, about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Next, add your shredded cabbage, diced onion, minced garlic and tamari. You may want to add an extra drizzle of olive oil to help the cabbage cook, but that is optional. Mix everything together well and let cook until cabbage and onion have softened and they are starting to brown and caramelize, 10-15 minutes. The tofu should also be golden brown at this point.
4. Add your fresh thyme and parsley, and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Next, add your tofu and cabbage mixture to the pot with your cooked noodles and mix everything together well. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and enjoy!

Fried Cabbage and Noodle Recipe Frequently Asked Questions

• Is this recipe gluten-free?  You can easily make this pasta recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta noodles.
• Is this recipe vegan? Yes!
• Can other vegetables besides cabbage be added to the pasta? Yes, feel free to add any extra veggies you like to this recipe.
• What kind of tofu is best for this recipe? I like to use super-firm tofu in this dish because it’s much easier to grate than a softer tofu. If you can’t find super-firm tofu, use extra-firm and press as much liquid out of it as you can.
• How long do leftovers last? If stored in an airtight container, leftovers should last about 4-5 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Have a question I didn’t answer? Ask me in the comment section below, and I will get back to you ASAP.

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Fried Cabbage and Noodles with Tofu

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5 from 1 review

• Author: She Likes Food
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4-6 1x
• Diet: Vegan

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Description

This Fried Cabbage and Noodles with Tofu recipe isn’t fancy but it’s so good! I make this easy dinner recipe all the time and the caramelized cabbage and onion goes so well with the crispy tofu and noodles. Add some fresh herbs for extra flavor and enjoy this cozy vegan dinner on a weeknight when you want something simple, but delicious!

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb pasta, I used mini shells and I would recommend something small and bite sized
• 4–5 cups thinly shredded green cabbage, about 1/2 a large head of cabbage
• 1 (16 oz) package super firm, or extra firm tofu
• 1/2 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup tamari, or soy sauce, you can use more if desired
• 1–2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• Olive oil
• Salt and black pepper

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Instructions

1. Heat a large pot of water and place over medium-high heat.  Bring water to a boil, add in your pasta and cook according to package directions.  Drain pasta and add back to the pot.
2. Press your tofu if needed and grate your tofu on the large side of a box grater.  Once tofu is shredded, pat it dry with a clean kitchen towel.  Heat a large pan over medium heat and add in a drizzle of olive oil.  Next, add in the tofu, along with a pinch of salt, and let tofu cook until starting to brown, about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Next, add in your shredded cabbage (I like to thinly shred the cabbage and then chop it into smaller pieces), diced onion, minced garlic and tamari.  You may want to add in an extra drizzle of olive oil to help the cabbage cook, but that is optional.  Mix everything together well and let cook until cabbage and onion have softened and they are starting to brown and caramelize, 10-15 minutes.  The tofu should also be golden brown at this point.
4. Add in your fresh thyme and parsley and cook for another 2-3 minutes.  Next, add your tofu and cabbage mixture to the pot with your cooked noodles and mix everything together well.  Season with salt and pepper to taste and enjoy!

• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins
• Category: Dinner, Vegan
• Method: stovetop
• Cuisine: American