Can You Use Spaghetti Noodles for Lo Mein? (Answered)

Can you use spaghetti noodles for lo mein?

Not too long ago I posted a recipe on our blog, but when I got home from work and went to make it, I realized I had only spaghetti noodles on hand.

Read Also: What Vegetables Go in Lo Mein? (15 Best Veggies)

I decided to experiment anyway and see how they’d turn out. Oh man were they good!

And the best part is that they took the same amount of time to cook as the lo mein noodles!

Can You Use Spaghetti Noodles for Lo Mein?

Would it surprise you to know that spaghetti noodles can be used instead of lo mein noodles?

You can absolutely substitute spaghetti noodles for lo mein! While they are not quite the same, we can create a dish with similar flavors and texture by using spaghetti as a replacement.

You can use spaghetti noodles for lo mein, but it’s not quite as simple as that.

The first thing to consider is the shape of the noodle.

Lo mein noodles are thicker and often more wavy than spaghetti. If you look at a plate of spaghetti, it looks like long strands of hair.

Lo mein noodles are more like thick ropes and they’re typically yellow in color.

The second thing to consider is the type of sauce you’ll be using with your lo mein.

A lot of lo mein recipes call for a soy-based or oyster sauce that you wouldn’t typically use with spaghetti.

If you’re going to be substituting spaghetti noodles for lo mein, make sure your sauce will work well with both pasta types.

You can also use other sauces such as marinara or Alfredo sauce if you prefer them over a traditional Asian-style sauce.

Spaghetti Noodles VS Lo Mein Noodles: A Good Substitute?

In my opinion, both spaghetti and lo mein noodles are pretty similar.

The main similarities are that they are both wheat noodles, and can be used interchangeably when cooking. In fact, many dishes will use either spaghetti or lo mein with the same recipe, and taste about the same.

Some people may argue that it is the sauce which makes the difference between these two noodles, but I think that any sauce you put on spaghetti would work well with lo mein as well.

The main difference between these two noodles is in their shape. Spaghetti is round, and lo mein is flat like a ribbon.

Although this shape makes a slight difference in how they look in a dish, it doesn’t affect their flavor at all!

When you don’t have lo mein noodles or chow mein noodles to use in your stir-fry, use spaghetti instead.

Spaghetti is a good substitute for the thin wheat noodles because it has a similar texture and flavor.

The two types of noodles are both made with wheat flour, but the Chinese noodle has a higher protein content, which makes for a firmer bite.

Substitute spaghetti for chow mein or lo mein as long as you keep in mind that the pasta will soak up more sauce because it is less slippery than the traditional thin Chinese noodles.

Use slightly less sauce than recommended by your recipe if you’re substituting another type of noodle, such as udon or rice stick noodles.

Chinese egg noodles are available at Asian markets across the country and online.

They’re also sold dried in bags similar to dried spaghetti and other Italian pastas. You may find them labeled “thin,” “medium” or “wide.”

Is it a good idea to use spaghetti noodles in place of lo mein noodles?

If you have ever considered using spaghetti noodles in place of Lo Mein noodles, you are on the right track.

Spaghetti is a great substitute for Lo Mein noodles and will give you a delicious alternative to Chinese cuisine. In addition to being a tasty dish, spaghetti offers a few advantages over Lo Mein noodles.  

Spaghetti noodles are readily available in most grocery stores and can be found easily in a variety of packages. 

They are usually less expensive than Lo Mein noodles, which can be hard to find in local grocery stores.  

They also offer more flexibility for those who wish to experiment with different types of foods. With so many different types of pasta available, there is no reason why you should not use this method of cooking with your spaghetti.  

If you are looking for an easy way to eat your favorite pasta dishes, try replacing Lo Mein with spaghetti noodles next time!

How would you make lo mein with spaghetti?

Some people use spaghetti noodles for lo mein because they are the most similar and available option to the real lo mein noodles.

They are not ideal, but if you follow these steps you will quickly be on your way to a delicious meal.

1. Bring water to boil in a large pot.
2. Boil spaghetti for 7 minutes until it’s still firm but cooked through.
3. Drain water from the spaghetti and set aside.
4. Bring oil to medium heat in a wok or large pan. If you don’t have a wok, any pan will work fine!
5. Add meat and cook thoroughly, then remove from pan.
6. Add vegetables and cook until they are tender but still crisp, then remove from pan.
7. Add sauce (recipe below) to pan and bring it to a low simmer.

What other kinds of pasta can be used for lo mein?

1. Fettuccine

Fettuccine is another popular pasta choice for lo mein dishes.

They also soak up a lot of sauce and don’t really resemble traditional Chinese lo mein noodles.

However, the taste is quite good and it does work well in many recipes.

3. Vermicelli

Vermicelli pasta is thin and light like traditional lo mein noodles.

These may be easier to find than actual lo mein noodles but they will have a slightly different texture once cooked.

You may have to experiment with them in different recipes before you find one that works well with the vermicelli pasta.

3. Udon

Udon is another thick noodle that works great in place of lo mein. It’s not quite as thick as spaghetti, so it’s very easy to cook evenly.

And like lo mein, it doesn’t get mushy when cooked for long periods of time (which means you can leave it on the stovetop for several minutes without having to worry about overcooking).

Takeaway

Spaghetti noodles make a surprisingly good substitute for lo mein noodles, and they’re easy to cook with.

They add a distinctive flavor of their own, but you can use them in any lo mein recipe that calls for regular (thick) white rice noodles, if you like.