![Vegan dan dan noodles](https://api.vip.foodnetwork.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/vegan-dan-dan-noodles-feat.jpg?w=3840&quality=75)
This short-cut version of a Sichuan classic replaces ground meat with crumbled tofu and mushrooms and leans heavily on pantry ingredients to deliver big flavour, fast. Instead of preparing my own chili oil I use jarred chili crisp, which although unconventional, lends the perfect amount of crunch and keeps things weeknight-friendly. Feel free to toss in greens like spinach or bok choy along with the hot noodles to add some veg to this dish.
ingredients
Noodles
Sauce
directions
![Ingredients for vegan dan dan noodles](https://api.vip.foodnetwork.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/vegan-dan-dan-noodles-ingredients.jpg?w=3840&quality=75)
Crumble drained tofu into small pieces so that it resembles ground meat. Pulse mushrooms in a food processor until finely minced, or very finely chop with a knife.
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high. Add crumbled tofu and mushrooms to the skillet and season with salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and crisp, 12-15 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl whisk together all sauce ingredients until well combined.
![Dan dan sauce in a large mixing bowl](https://api.vip.foodnetwork.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/vegan-dan-dan-noodles-process-1.jpg?w=3840&quality=75)
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add noodles and cook according to package instructions. Drain noodles, reserving ¾ cup of cooking liquid.
Whisk ½ cup of reserved cooking liquid into sauce.
![Hot water being whisked into dan dan sauce](https://api.vip.foodnetwork.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/vegan-dan-dan-noodles-process-2.jpg?w=3840&quality=75)
Add cooked noodles, tofu-mushroom mixture and herbs to bowl with sauce and toss until noodles and tofu are well coated.
![Untossed vegan dan dan noodles in a mixing bowl](https://api.vip.foodnetwork.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/vegan-dan-dan-noodles-process-3.jpg?w=3840&quality=75)
Stir in more of the cooking liquid, a little at a time, if needed, to help the sauce come together and stick to the noodles.
![Dan dan noodles being tossed in a large mixing bowl](https://api.vip.foodnetwork.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/vegan-dan-dan-noodles-process-5.jpg?w=3840&quality=75)
Garnish with green onions and cilantro and serve.
![A close up on vegan dan dan noodles](https://api.vip.foodnetwork.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/vegan-dan-dan-noodles-process-8.jpg?w=3840&quality=75)