Homemade pasta is really the best. There’s just nothing like it.

It’s super fun and easy for kids.

It is a little more time consuming than throwing a box of spaghetti into boiling water, but it’s oh so worth it.

It starts out kind of messy, with eggs and flour.

We really love our KitchenAid mixer and all the attachments.

Katie is really a pro when it comes to making pasta.

She folds and rolls, folds and rolls.

Everybody likes to cut the pasta into wide and thin noodles.

We also make our own sauces like marinara and alfredo and pesto.

We hardly ever have any leftover noodles!

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We love lo mein but we can’t afford to get takeout every week nor do we want MSG that’s often in it.

My teen daughter complained the other day that holidays at our house are boring because we don’t ever have special meals. She said we cook too well at ordinary times to do anything extraordinary at holidays.

I’m hurt, but she’s not wrong.

This easy lo mein is pretty healthy and natural and comes together in a pinch!

It’s pretty easy to make lo mein at home and we add in the veggies and meats we like, customized for everyone.

I usually buy a bag of shredded carrots. I slice onions and bell peppers very thin.

The kids like the crunch of water chestnuts and baby corn.

You can add any veggie you like to customize.

I add some napa cabbage or some greens to steam as the last step.

I often top the bowls of lo mein with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.

I often use leftover chicken or stirfry up a quick batch of marinated chicken breast or shrimp. You can use tofu or any or no protein for frugal meals.

We often just use a box of cheap spaghetti, but the Asian lo mein noodles really are superior. I boil and drain it and toss it with some sesame oil while I saute meat and veggies.

It’s best to do things in batches and then toss it all together at the end so it’s fresh and hot.

I tend to make a quick sesame teriyaki sauce that pleases everyone’s taste buds. Those of us who like a bit of spice just add some chili garlic sauce at the table. Chopped cilantro is also nice.

This quick and easy meal is a crowd-pleaser.

Print

Lo Mein

Course Main Dish

Cuisine Asian

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Servings 6

Ingredients

Lo Mein

• 1 package spaghetti
• 1 can water chestnuts, sliced or chopped
• 1 can baby corn, sliced
• 1/2 bag chredded carrots
• 1/2 head Napa cabbage, chopped or baby bok choy or spinach or whatever
• 1/2 medium bell pepper, sliced
• 1/2 medium onion, sliced
• 1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 2 chicken breasts, sliced into bite-sized pieces or shrimp or pork or beef or tofu

Teriyaki Sauce

• 1/2 c Tamari
• 1/4 c sesame oil
• 1 clove crushed garlic
• 1 t grated ginger
• 1/8 c brown sugar
• 1/8 c Mirin or sherry

Instructions

1. Marinate chicken or other protein: 2 T soy sauce and 1 T sesame oil. Add 1 T sugar. Toss in 1-2 T cornstarch. It should make a paste coating the meat.
2. Boil a pot of salted water. Prepare noodles according to package instructions.
3. Heat 1-2 T peanut or other mild oil in wok or large pan. Saute carrots and onions. Add peppers, water chestnuts, corn, mushrooms. Drain vegetables in a colander or on paper towels.
4. Heat 1-2 T oil in pan. Saute chicken in batches until cooked through. Drain in colander or on paper towels.
5. Heat sauce in pan and combine with noodles, vegetables, chicken. Use tongs to gently coat every noodle with the sauce.
6. Add in Napa cabbage or other greens to steam the last minute. Divide into pretty bowls. Sprinkle with chopped green onions and/or sesame seeds. Season with chili garlic sauce to taste.

The boxed stuff just isn’t near as good and this is almost as easy.

Simple stovetop or baked Easy Macaroni and Cheese that’s healthier than a box.

Alex wasn’t thrilled at first. I will blend cheeses next time to better please his palate.

He asked me: “Is the box kind not healthy?”

I answered that this is healthier and he accepts that.

Simple.

The texture is a little different than he’s used to.

The kids preferred it baked with some Italian seasoning and bread crumb topping. I love it that way. Also amazing with bacon or ham and peas.

Whatever works.