10+ Noodle Recipes to Spice Up Your Weeknight Dinners

Noodles are a versatile and easy ingredient for many tasty meals. They come in different shapes and sizes, giving you lots of options to try.

Whether you want something quick or a dish with simple ingredients, noodles can fit the bill. You can create delicious meals with noodles without complicated steps or rare ingredients.

This makes noodles perfect for busy days or when you want to clean out your fridge. With so many noodle recipes, you can always find one that matches your taste and time.

Ingredients

• Your choice of noodles (egg, rice, wheat, etc.)
• Soy sauce
• Sesame oil
• Vegetables (like scallions, carrots, or bell peppers)
• Proteins (optional: chicken, tofu, shrimp)

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil noodles until tender, then drain.
2. Heat a pan with a bit of oil over medium heat.
3. Add vegetables and cook until soft.
4. Stir in cooked noodles.
5. Add soy sauce and sesame oil to taste.
6. Toss everything together for 2-3 minutes.
7. Serve hot.

1) Soy Sauce Pan-fried Noodles

Soy sauce pan-fried noodles are easy and tasty. The noodles get a crispy texture on the outside while staying soft inside.

A simple soy sauce mix gives a rich, savory flavor. You can add bean sprouts and green onions for a fresh crunch.

It takes about 15 minutes to cook, so it’s great for a quick meal. Use thin egg noodles or any noodles you like.

Ingredients

• 450 g cooked noodles
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2.5 tbsp dark soy sauce
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 4 tbsp water
• Bean sprouts (optional)
• Green onions (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat sesame oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add noodles and pan-fry until crispy but still chewy.
3. Mix soy sauces, sugar, and water in a bowl.
4. Pour sauce over noodles and toss well.
5. Add bean sprouts and green onions, stir for 1-2 minutes.
6. Serve warm.

More details on soy sauce pan-fried noodles can be found at Tiffy Cooks.

2) Garlic Noodles with a strong garlic punch

Garlic noodles are simple but packed with flavor. You get a rich, savory taste with a strong garlic punch.

These noodles work great as a main dish or a side for any Asian-inspired meal. The recipe uses soy sauce, oyster sauce, and fish sauce for deep umami taste.

Butter and fresh garlic bring richness and boldness to every bite. You can use spaghetti or other thin noodles you like.

This dish comes together in just 15 minutes, perfect for a quick weeknight meal.

Ingredients

• 8 oz spaghetti or thin noodles
• 4 tbsp butter
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tsp fish sauce
• 1 tsp sugar
• Green onions (optional, for garnish)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
3. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4. Stir in soy sauce, oyster sauce, fish sauce, and sugar.
5. Toss noodles in the sauce, coating evenly. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
6. Garnish with green onions if you like. Serve warm.

Find more about garlic noodle recipes here.

3) Classic Pad Thai

Pad Thai is a popular Thai noodle dish with sweet, sour, and salty flavors. You cook flat rice noodles with eggs, tofu or shrimp, and a tangy sauce made from tamarind, fish sauce, and sugar.

Crushed peanuts add crunch and fresh lime brightens the taste. It’s a quick dish perfect for any weeknight.

This recipe gives you a simple and tasty way to enjoy Pad Thai at home.

Ingredients

• 8 oz flat rice noodles
• 2 tablespoons tamarind paste
• 3 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 6 oz tofu or shrimp
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1/4 cup crushed peanuts
• 1 lime, cut into wedges
• 2 green onions, sliced

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak noodles in warm water for 20 minutes or until soft.
2. Mix tamarind paste, fish sauce, and sugar in a bowl.
3. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
4. Add garlic and tofu or shrimp; stir-fry until cooked.
5. Push ingredients to one side; add eggs and scramble gently.
6. Add drained noodles and sauce; toss to mix.
7. Stir in bean sprouts and green onions; cook 1-2 minutes.
8. Serve topped with crushed peanuts and lime wedges.

4) Pad See Ew stir-fry noodles

Pad See Ew is a Thai stir-fry noodle dish. It uses wide rice noodles that are chewy and soak up the sauce well.

You cook it with Chinese broccoli, egg, and a choice of meat like chicken, beef, or pork. The flavor comes from sweet and salty soy sauce.

Stir-frying everything quickly keeps the veggies crisp and the noodles soft. This is a great dish when you want a quick and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

• 8 oz wide rice noodles
• 2 cups Chinese broccoli, chopped
• 2 eggs
• 8 oz chicken, beef, or pork, thinly sliced
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak noodles in warm water for 30 minutes until soft.
2. Heat oil in a wok or pan over medium-high heat.
3. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
4. Add meat and stir-fry until cooked through.
5. Push ingredients to the side, crack eggs, and scramble.
6. Add noodles and sauces, tossing to combine.
7. Add Chinese broccoli and cook 2-3 minutes.
8. Serve hot.

5) Chow Mein with crispy vegetables

Chow mein with crispy vegetables makes a tasty and crunchy meal. Start by frying the noodles until they turn golden and crisp.

Stir-fry fresh vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, and cabbage in a hot pan. Toss them quickly so they stay crunchy and colorful.

Pour a savory sauce over the veggies to bring the flavors together. Place the crispy noodles on a plate and spoon the saucy vegetables on top.

The noodles soak up the sauce and stay crispy in some parts, giving you a great mix of textures.

Ingredients

• Chow mein noodles
• Bell peppers, sliced
• Carrots, julienned
• Cabbage, shredded
• Garlic, minced
• Soy sauce
• Oyster sauce or hoisin sauce
• Vegetable oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat vegetable oil in a pan and deep-fry or pan-fry chow mein noodles until crispy. Drain on paper towels.
2. In a wok, heat oil and add garlic. Stir-fry for 30 seconds.
3. Add bell peppers, carrots, and cabbage. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.
4. Pour in soy sauce and oyster or hoisin sauce. Toss to coat.
5. Serve the saucy vegetables over the crispy noodles immediately.

6) Sesame Noodles with scallions and sesame seeds

Sesame noodles with scallions and sesame seeds are simple and tasty. The noodles get a nutty flavor from toasted sesame seeds.

Fresh scallions add a light crunch and a mild onion taste. You can serve this dish warm or chilled, making it perfect for any season.

Toss boiled noodles in a sauce made with soy sauce, sesame oil, and a bit of sugar. Sprinkle scallions and toasted sesame seeds on top.

It’s quick to make and works as a side or a main meal. Add chili flakes if you like some heat.

Ingredients

• 8 oz Asian noodles or spaghetti
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
• 4 scallions, sliced (whites and greens separated)

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil noodles according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water if serving chilled.
2. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, sesame oil, and sugar until sugar dissolves.
3. Toss noodles with the sauce.
4. Fry scallion whites lightly in a small pan if you want extra flavor.
5. Top noodles with scallions and toasted sesame seeds.
6. Serve warm or chilled.

7) Walnut Miso Noodles

Walnut miso noodles make a simple, tasty meal for any day. The sauce is creamy and full of flavor, thanks to miso paste and toasted walnuts.

Toss in some veggies like asparagus to keep it fresh and crunchy. Whole grain or soba noodles add a nice texture and extra nutrients.

The walnut-miso dressing comes together quickly, with a touch of honey to balance the flavors. You can eat it warm or cold.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces whole wheat spaghetti, linguini, or soba noodles
• 1 small bunch asparagus, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted
• 2 tablespoons white miso paste
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 tablespoon chile paste (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. Toast walnuts in a dry pan over medium heat until fragrant (about 3-4 minutes).
3. Mix miso paste, honey, and chile paste in a bowl.
4. Add toasted walnuts and mix well to create the dressing.
5. Toss noodles, asparagus, and walnut-miso dressing together. Serve warm or cold.

More details about this recipe can be found at Walnut Miso Noodles – 101 Cookbooks.

8) Turmeric-infused Pad Thai

Add a bright twist to traditional Pad Thai by using turmeric in the noodles. Turmeric gives the dish a warm color and a mild, earthy flavor.

It pairs well with ingredients like garlic, soy sauce, and lime juice. Start by soaking rice noodles in boiling water with turmeric powder.

Stir-fry garlic, veggies, and your choice of protein. Toss everything with the turmeric noodles.

Finish with fresh herbs like cilantro and green onion. For a vegetarian option, skip the meat and add more vegetables.

Ingredients

• 6 ounces dried rice noodles
• 1 ½ tablespoons turmeric powder
• 3 tablespoons white vinegar or tamarind paste
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, celery)
• 2 eggs (optional)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 green onions, sliced
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak rice noodles in boiling water mixed with turmeric for 5-7 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a wok or large pan over medium-high heat.
3. Add garlic and stir-fry until fragrant.
4. Add vegetables and cook until tender.
5. Push veggies to the side and scramble eggs if using.
6. Add soaked noodles and toss with soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar.
7. Mix everything well, cook for 2-3 minutes.
8. Serve hot, garnished with green onions and cilantro.

For a detailed guide, see this Sunshine Pad Thai recipe.

9) Rice Noodle Stir Fry

Rice noodle stir fry is a quick and tasty meal for any night. It uses soft rice noodles mixed with fresh vegetables and a savory sauce.

Add eggs or your favorite protein to make it more filling. This dish cooks fast, so you can have a warm meal in under 30 minutes.

The noodles soak up the sauce and taste great in every bite. Use any vegetables you have on hand for a simple, fridge-friendly meal.

Try adding garlic, ginger, and soy sauce for more flavor. If you like heat, add a little chili sauce.

Ingredients

• 8 oz rice noodles
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, bell peppers, snap peas)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (optional)
• 1 teaspoon chili sauce (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak rice noodles in warm water for 10 minutes, then drain.
2. Heat oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat.
3. Add garlic and ginger, stir for 30 seconds.
4. Add vegetables and cook for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp.
5. Push vegetables to the side, pour in eggs, and scramble until just cooked.
6. Add noodles, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and chili sauce.
7. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until noodles are heated and coated evenly.
8. Serve warm and enjoy!

Learn more about quick and healthy rice noodle dishes here.

10) Homemade Egg Noodles from scratch

Making egg noodles at home is simple and quick. You only need a few basic ingredients.

The dough is soft and easy to work with. Mix eggs, flour, salt, and milk to form the dough.

Roll it out thin and cut into strips. Boil the noodles for a fresh and wholesome taste.

Use them in soups or as a side to soak up gravy. The whole process takes about 15 minutes, so it’s perfect for a quick meal.

Ingredients

• 2 large eggs
• 1.5 to 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons milk

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix eggs, milk, and salt in a bowl.
2. Slowly add flour and stir.
3. Form a soft dough.
4. Knead the dough on a floured surface.
5. Continue kneading until the dough feels smooth.
6. Roll out the dough thin.
7. Cut the dough into noodle strips.
8. Boil the noodles in salted water for 2-3 minutes.
9. Cook until the noodles turn tender.
10. Drain the noodles.
11. Use the noodles as you like.

More details are in this homemade egg noodles recipe.