Mapo tofu spaghetti is a delicious and easy-to-make fusion dish that combines the flavors of Chinese and Italian cuisine. The dish features tender spaghetti noodles coated in a savory and spicy sauce made with ground pork or tofu, fermented bean paste, and a variety of aromatic ingredients. With its perfect balance of flavors and textures, mapo tofu spaghetti is a surefire hit that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more!
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
MAPO TOFU
This spicy, aromatic Sichuan dish is recognizable from the citrus aroma of Sichuan peppercorns and the spicy fermented flavor of hot bean sauce. According to legend, Mapo Tofu (Pock-Marked Grandma's Tofu) was named after an old Chinese woman who served the dish to her restaurant guests. She became known for it and people began referring to the dish as the pock-marked woman's tofu.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 25m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Heat a wok over medium-high heat and toast the Sichuan peppercorns until fragrant, about 10 seconds. Remove from heat and transfer the peppercorns to a bowl to cool. Coarsely grind the peppercorns in a spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle and set aside. In a medium bowl, stir together the chicken broth, hot bean paste, cornstarch, hot sesame oil, soy sauce and sugar; set aside.
- Heat the wok over medium-high heat. Add the canola oil, garlic, ginger and fermented black beans and cook until fragrant, stirring often, about 10 seconds. Add the ground pork and cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up the meat with a wooden spatula or spoon, until it is browned, 3 to 5 minutes. (Lower the heat to medium if the garlic starts to burn.) Add the reserved ground peppercorns, the tofu and the soy sauce mixture. Cook, stirring once to combine, until the sauce is reduced, thickened and glossy, about 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and garnish with the scallions. Serve with steamed jasmine rice.
MAPO TOFU RECIPE
Famous Mapo Tofu Recipe From Sichuan Cuisine. Recipe video below.
Provided by Elaine
Categories Main Course
Time 20m
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Add a small pinch of salt and ground pepper. Mix well and set aside.
- Cut tofu into square cubes (around 2cms). Bring a large amount of water to a boil and then add a pinch of salt. Slide the tofu in and cook for 1 minute. Move out and drain. This helps to remove the raw soy flavor form tofu.
- Get a wok and heat up around 2 tablespoons of oil, fry the minced meat until crispy. Transfer out and leave the oil in.
- Add another 1 tablespoon of vegetable cooking oil and fry doubanjiang for 1 minute over slow fire until the red turns red (bring us a lovely red color dish) and add fermented black beans, garlic, scallion white and ginger, cook for 30 seconds until aroma. Optionally mix pepper flakes in. Pepper flakes should be added at the end because it contains little water and can be burnt easily.
- Pour in water or stock. Add light soy sauce, sugar and half of the cooked beef (providing more flavors to the soup) after the broth boils and let it continue simmering for 2-3 minutes. Place the tofu in, simmer for another 6-8 minutes. The longer time of simmering helps the tofu to absorb the flavors.
- During the process of simmering, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2.5 tablespoons of water in a small bowl to make water starch. Stir the water starch and then pour half of the mixture to the simmering pot. Back push and wait for around 30 seconds and then pour the other half. You can slightly taste the tofu and add pinch of salt if not salty enough. Add cooked beef to creates some crispy texture and then drizzle sesame oil. Mix well.
- Transfer out when almost all the seasonings stick to tofu cubes. Sprinkle Szechuan peppercorn powder (to taste)and chopped garlic greens if using.
- Serve immediately with steamed rice.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 501 kcal, Carbohydrate 21 g, Protein 22 g, Fat 35 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Cholesterol 35 mg, Sodium 1072 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 6 g, ServingSize 1 serving
MAPO TOFU SPAGHETTI
Conventional mapo tofu calls for cubed tofu, but, if you blend silken tofu for a twist on the Sichuan favorite, you'll yield a creamy pasta sauce with deep numbing, spicy mala flavor. For velvety results, select silken tofu that's molded into its refrigerated tub. Shop at a Chinese market for the doubanjiang (fermented chile bean sauce or paste). Look for the kind that is jarred and labeled as toban djan or packaged as plastic-sealed paper cubes, and originating from Pixian. Also grab some Sichuan peppercorns, and for extra umami oomph, some douchi (fermented black beans), too. If beef or pork isn't your thing, try ground turkey, lamb or a plant-based meat alternative. Chefs (Mei Lin of Nightshade in Los Angeles, and Yu Bo of Yu's Family Kitchen in Chengdu) and home cooks (the family of Zhong Yi, a former graduate student at Sichuan University) alike have tinkered with mapo tofu, pushing its definition and inspiring this cross-cultural iteration.
Provided by Andrea Nguyen
Categories dinner, meat, noodles, pastas, main course
Time 40m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Prepare the mapo tofu sauce: If the tofu came as a block in water, discard the water. Cut the tofu into large chunks, then use a stand blender or immersion blender to whirl the tofu into an ivory smoothie.
- In a medium (3- or 4-quart) pot over medium heat, toast the Sichuan peppercorns for 2 to 3 minutes, until super fragrant and slightly darkened. (A wisp of smoke is OK.) Let cool briefly, then pound with a mortar and pestle or pulse in a spice grinder.
- Prepare the remaining sauce ingredients and set them near the stove.
- Warm the oil in the pot over high heat. When shimmering, add the meat. Stir and mash into cooked and crumbly pieces, 1 to 2 minutes. Add 2 1/2 tablespoons doubanjiang, the douchi (if using), ginger and red-pepper flakes (if using). Fry about 2 minutes longer, stirring constantly, until the mixture is a rich reddish brown.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low, then stir in the soy sauce and sugar. Scrape in the blended tofu. (If there's much left in the blender jar, add 1 tablespoon water and whirl to loosen it.) Stir to combine well, partly cover and bring to simmer. Cook for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, to develop flavor throughout. Expect orange oil to appear on top.
- Taste the sauce and if needed, add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon doubanjiang (for heat), or a pinch of salt (for savoriness) or sugar (to tame heat).
- Stir in the scallions, then add the cornstarch slurry and stir until thickened. Turn off the heat. Stir in half the crushed Sichuan peppercorns to seed a bit of zing. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes to deepen flavor and color before using; a little lingering orange oiliness is normal. Makes about 2 1/2 cups. (You can also cool completely then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.)
- Prepare the spaghetti: Fill a large pot about halfway with water and add no more than 1 tablespoon of salt to lightly season. Bring to a boil over high heat, then add the spaghetti and boil until al dente according to package instructions. Ladle out about 3/4 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the spaghetti. Briefly rinse to remove some of the starch and shake to expel excess water.
- In the same pot (or a clean large skillet, if you wish), warm the tofu sauce and 1/3 cup of the reserved pasta cooking water over medium heat. When hot and bubbling, add the spaghetti to the sauce. Use tongs to stir and coat the strands. Stir in extra pasta water by the tablespoon for a creamier, silkier finish, if desired.
- When satisfied, stir in the scallion and cook very briefly until just softened. Divide the pasta among plates or shallow bowls and serve topped with the cheese and the remaining ground peppercorns.
MAPO TOFU
You can order mapo tofu from many Chinese restaurants, but it's also quite doable at home. You can find the pivotal fermented chile and broad (fava) bean sauce or paste called doubanjiang (sometimes rendered as "toban djan") at a Chinese market. Look for a doubanjiang from Pixian, in Sichuan, and bear in mind that oilier versions have extra heat but may lack an earthy depth. Sichuan peppercorns add mala - tingly zing - and fermented black beans, called douchi, lend this dish a kick of umami. Ground beef is traditional, but many cooks choose pork; you can also try lamb, turkey thigh or a plant-based meat alternatives. Add chile flakes for extra fire, and balance mapo's intensity with rice and steamed or stir-fried broccoli.
Provided by Andrea Nguyen
Categories dinner, lunch, weeknight, grains and rice, meat, one pot, main course
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings (about 4 cups)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Prepare the tofu: Cut the tofu into 3/4-inch cubes and put into a bowl. Bring a kettle of water to a rolling boil. Turn off the heat and when the boiling subsides, pour hot water over the tofu to cover. Set aside for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a large (14-inch) wok or (12-inch) skillet over medium heat, toast the peppercorns for 2 to 3 minutes, until super fragrant and slightly darkened. (A wisp of smoke is normal.) Let cool briefly, then pound with a mortar and pestle, or pulse in a spice grinder.
- Set a strainer over a measuring cup, then add the tofu to drain; reserve 1 1/2 cups of the soaking water, discarding the rest. Set the tofu and reserved soaking water near the stove with the peppercorns and other prepped ingredients for swift cooking.
- Reheat the wok or skillet over high. When hot - you can flick water in and it should sizzle and evaporate within seconds - swirl in the oil to evenly coat, then add the meat. Stir and mash into cooked and crumbly pieces, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add 2 1/2 tablespoons doubanjiang, the douchi (if using), ginger and red-pepper flakes (if using). Cook about 2 minutes longer, stirring constantly, until things are vivid reddish brown. Add the soy sauce and sugar, stir to combine, then add the tofu. Gently stir or shake the pan to combine the ingredients without breaking up the tofu much.
- Add the reserved 1 1/2 cups soaking water, bring to a vigorous simmer, and cook for about 3 minutes, agitating the pan occasionally, to let the tofu absorb the flavors of the sauce.
- Slightly lower the heat and taste the sauce. If needed, add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of doubanjiang for heat, a pinch of salt for savoriness, or a sprinkle of sugar to tame heat.
- Add the scallions and stir to combine. Stir in the cornstarch slurry, then stir in enough to the mapo tofu to thicken to a soupy rather than a gravy-like finish. Sprinkle in the ground peppercorns, give the mixture one last stir to incorporate, then transfer to a shallow bowl. Serve immediately with lots of hot rice.
MAPO TOFU RECIPE BY TASTY
Mapo tofu is the perfect dish to add to your weekly routine. It's savory and spicy (and happens to be vegetarian!).
Provided by Aleya Zenieris
Time 1h15m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Fill a small pot with water and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and add the shiitake mushrooms. Soak for 30 minutes, until completely rehydrated. Remove the mushrooms from the water and reserve the soaking liquid. Coarsely chop the rehydrated mushrooms.
- Dice the tomatoes and green bell pepper. Stem and chop the white button mushrooms.
- In a small bowl, combine the chili garlic paste, black bean with garlic sauce, bean paste, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and sugar. Stir until smooth.
- Dice the tofu into 1-inch (2 ½ cm) cubes.
- In a large skillet or wok, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the rehydrated shiitake and button mushrooms, bell pepper, and tomato and cook until the pepper and mushrooms have softened slightly, 1-2 minutes.
- Add the sauce and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes, until fully combined and fragrant.
- In a small bowl, stir together the cornstarch and ½ cup (75 G) of the reserved mushroom soaking water until the cornstarch dissolves.
- Add the cornstarch slurry to the pan and cook until the sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. Stir in the tofu and cook until heated through, 2-3 minutes more.
- Serve immediately over cooked white rice.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 172 calories, Carbohydrate 15 grams, Fat 8 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 10 grams, Sugar 6 grams
MAPO TOFU TOTS
Mapo tofu is something I tried for the first time only recently, and I was instantly hooked. The flavors are pure comfort food to me. Any dish that can be served on top of rice can easily be served on top of tots.
Provided by Dan Whalen
Time 55m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (260 degrees C). Arrange tots on a baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil and sprinkle with salt.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Turn tots over, then continue baking until crispy and hot, 5 to 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, grind 1/2 of the peppercorns into a powder. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in remaining whole peppercorns; cook, stirring occasionally, until oil is infused, about 5 minutes. Remove and discard whole peppercorns.
- Increase heat to medium-high. Stir pork, onion, and 1 tablespoon chiles into the skillet. Cook, stirring to break up lumps, until pork is lightly browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in garlic and ginger; cook for 1 minute. Stir in chicken stock, wine, bean paste, soy sauce, and ground peppercorns. Add tofu and simmer, stirring occasionally, until slightly reduced, 10 to 15 minutes.
- Stir cornstarch and water together in a small bowl. Stir slowly into the tofu and simmer until thickened, about 2 minutes.
- Transfer tots to a serving platter and top with tofu mixture. Garnish with green onion and remaining red chile peppers.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 544.8 calories, Carbohydrate 45.2 g, Cholesterol 38.2 mg, Fat 33.7 g, Fiber 5.9 g, Protein 25.3 g, SaturatedFat 7.4 g, Sodium 1964.5 mg, Sugar 3.8 g
Tips:
- Choose the right tofu: Extra-firm or firm tofu is best for stir-frying, as it will hold its shape and not crumble. Drain the tofu and press it gently between two plates to remove excess water before cutting it into cubes.
- Use a heavy-bottomed skillet or wok: This will help to evenly distribute heat and prevent the tofu and sauce from sticking.
- Don't overcrowd the skillet: Cook the tofu in batches if necessary, to avoid steaming rather than frying it.
- Use a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce: This will give the sauce a glossy, rich finish. Mix equal parts cornstarch and water in a small bowl until smooth, then stir it into the sauce.
- Serve immediately: Mapo tofu is best served hot and fresh, over rice or noodles.
Conclusion:
Mapo tofu spaghetti is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. The combination of spicy, savory sauce and tender tofu is sure to please everyone at the table. With a few simple tips, you can make this dish at home that tastes just as good as your favorite Chinese restaurant.
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