10+ Noodle Recipes to Brighten Up Your Dinner Table

Noodles are simple and endlessly adaptable—honestly, who doesn’t love them? You can make them from all sorts of things and toss them into just about any dish.

Some folks like noodles steaming hot, others want them chilled and tossed with something bright. Either way, they slide into your dinner plans without much fuss.

You can whip up all kinds of tasty meals with noodles you’ve got on hand. They pair up well with nearly any sauce, veggies, or protein you can find in your fridge.

So, when you’re hungry and short on time, noodles are an easy win.

1) Soy Sauce Pan-fried Noodles

Soy sauce pan-fried noodles come together fast and always hit the spot. Start by boiling thin egg noodles until they’re just soft.

Then, fry them in a hot pan so they get those irresistible crispy edges but stay chewy inside. That’s the magic.

Mix up soy sauce, a splash of dark soy, sesame oil, water, and a bit of sugar for a quick sauce. Toss your noodles in, then throw in scallions and bean sprouts for crunch and freshness.

You can pull this off in about 15 minutes—seriously. It’s a solid choice for a quick meal or a side.

Ingredients

• Thin egg noodles
• Soy sauce
• Dark soy sauce
• Sesame oil
• Water
• Sugar
• Scallions
• Bean sprouts

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook noodles following the package instructions and drain them.
2. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high.
3. Fry the noodles until they get crispy on the edges.
4. Stir together soy sauces, sesame oil, water, and sugar.
5. Pour the sauce over noodles and toss to coat.
6. Add scallions and bean sprouts, stir for a minute or two.
7. Serve while hot.

2) Garlic Noodles with a Strong Garlic Punch

Garlic noodles bring a bold, savory punch to your table. There’s a rich, buttery taste from the garlic and soy sauce, and honestly, it’s hard not to want seconds.

The sauce is where the magic happens—garlic, oyster sauce, fish sauce, and a hint of sweetness. It’s deep, tasty, and not at all fussy.

You can use spaghetti or whatever noodles you’ve got. This dish only takes about 10 minutes, so it’s perfect for those nights when you want something flavorful but don’t have the energy for anything complicated.

Ingredients

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

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook noodles as directed, then drain.
2. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat.
3. Add garlic and cook until it smells amazing, about 1-2 minutes.
4. Stir in oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, and sugar.
5. Toss in the noodles until they’re coated.
6. Top with green onions if you’re feeling it.
7. Serve warm.

3) Classic Pad Thai

Classic Pad Thai is a go-to for a reason. You get thin, flat rice noodles that soak up a tangy sauce made from tamarind, fish sauce, and a bit of sugar.

The balance—sweet, sour, salty—is what makes it so good. You can add shrimp, chicken, or tofu, depending on your mood.

Don’t skip the crushed peanuts and lime wedges. They add crunch and brightness.

You can prep ingredients ahead to make this even quicker. Cooking it yourself means you get to call the shots on spice and extras.

Ingredients

• 8 oz (225 g) flat rice noodles
• 2 tbsp tamarind paste
• 3 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup crushed peanuts
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup cooked shrimp, chicken, or tofu
• 2 green onions, chopped
• Lime wedges for serving
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak rice noodles in warm water for about 20 minutes, then drain.
2. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for a minute.
3. Push garlic aside and scramble eggs until just set.
4. Add your protein and noodles, stir gently.
5. Mix tamarind, fish sauce, and sugar in a bowl, then pour over noodles.
6. Toss it all together until noodles are coated and hot.
7. Remove from heat, sprinkle with peanuts and green onions.
8. Serve with lime wedges to squeeze over your Pad Thai.

Check out the full recipe at Tastes Better from Scratch.

4) Pad See Ew Stir-fry

Pad See Ew is one of those Thai noodle dishes that’s just comforting. You stir-fry wide rice noodles with veggies, meat or tofu, and eggs.

The real flavor comes from a combo of dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, and a pinch of sugar. You get tender noodles and crunchy broccoli all in one bite.

Chicken, beef, or tofu—pick what you like. Stir-frying everything on high heat helps the noodles soak up all the good stuff and get a little char.

Ingredients

• Wide rice noodles
• Chicken, beef, or tofu
• Chinese broccoli or regular broccoli
• Eggs
• Dark soy sauce
• Light soy sauce
• Sugar
• Cooking oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak or cook noodles until they’re soft but not mushy.
2. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high.
3. Cook meat or tofu until done, then set aside.
4. Add broccoli and stir-fry briefly.
5. Push everything aside and scramble eggs in the pan.
6. Add noodles, meat/tofu back in, and pour in sauces.
7. Stir-fry quickly until everything’s hot and mixed.
8. Serve right away.

Find more details at Pad See Ew recipe.

5) Chow Mein with Mixed Vegetables

Chow Mein with mixed vegetables is both tasty and good for you. Grab whatever veggies you’ve got—cabbage, carrots, bean sprouts—and toss them in.

Stir-fry your veggies until they’re just tender. Add cooked chow mein noodles and mix everything together.

Garlic and green onions give it a flavor boost. You can tweak the sauce to fit your tastes: soy sauce, a splash of sesame oil, maybe a little sugar.

Ingredients

• 18 oz chow mein noodles
• 2 oz red onion, sliced
• 2 oz carrot, julienned
• 6 oz cabbage, shredded
• 4 oz bean sprouts
• 1 oz green onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook noodles as the package says, then drain.
2. Heat oil in a wok or big pan over medium-high.
3. Add garlic and red onion, stir-fry for a minute.
4. Toss in carrots, cabbage, and bean sprouts, stir-fry for 3-4 minutes.
5. Add noodles and green onion.
6. Pour in soy sauce, sesame oil, and sugar. Stir well for a couple minutes.
7. Serve hot and dig in.

Want more tips? Check out this vegetable chow mein recipe.

6) Homemade Egg Noodles

Homemade egg noodles are way easier than you’d think. With just a few ingredients, you get soft, fresh noodles that blow store-bought out of the water.

Mix flour, eggs, and a pinch of salt for the dough. Roll it thin, cut into strips, and cook them in boiling water for a few minutes.

This takes about 15 minutes, start to finish. The fresh taste and chewy texture are worth the minimal effort.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup water (if needed)

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix flour and salt in a bowl.
2. Beat eggs and add to the flour. Mix until you get a dough.
3. Knead the dough on a floured surface until smooth.
4. Roll out the dough thin and slice into strips.
5. Boil water, then cook noodles for 2-4 minutes.
6. Drain and serve.

You’ll find a simple recipe for homemade egg noodles here.

7) Sesame Noodles with Scallions and Black Pepper

Sesame noodles are the definition of simple comfort. Scallions add a fresh, mild bite that plays well with the rich sesame flavor.

Black pepper gives just enough kick to keep things interesting. You can serve these noodles warm or cold, and they’re great for lunch or as a side.

If you want more flavor, add garlic and ginger to the sauce. Toss the noodles with the sauce and scallions, then finish with sesame seeds and black pepper.

Easy to customize—add veggies or a bit of protein if you feel like it.

Ingredients

• 8 oz noodles
• 3 tbsp black sesame seeds
• 4 scallions, thinly sliced
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp grated ginger
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• Fresh ground black pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook noodles as directed, then drain.
2. In a bowl, mix sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger.
3. Toss noodles with the sauce and scallions.
4. Sprinkle black sesame seeds and lots of black pepper on top.
5. Serve warm or chilled.

Check out this black sesame noodles recipe for more inspiration.

8) Rice Noodle Stir Fry

Rice noodle stir fry comes together fast. You can toss in whatever veggies you have and add eggs or chicken if you want more protein.

The noodles cook quickly and soak up a garlic and ginger sauce that’s hard to beat. It’s a go-to for busy nights—about 30 minutes, start to finish.

Looking for a recipe? There are tons out there, like Chicken Stir Fry with Rice Noodles.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces dry rice noodles
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (bell peppers, carrots, broccoli)
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• Cooked chicken or tofu (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the rice noodles following the package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high. Toss in garlic and ginger, cook for about a minute.
3. Add your vegetables and stir-fry for 3-5 minutes, just until they soften.
4. Push the veggies aside and pour in the eggs. Scramble them until set.
5. Add noodles and soy sauce, tossing everything together.
6. Drizzle on sesame oil, mix, and serve warm.

9) Turmeric-Infused Pad Thai

Turmeric gives classic Pad Thai a bright color and a gentle earthy twist. Start by soaking rice noodles in boiling water with turmeric until they turn soft and yellow.

In a hot pan, cook garlic, veggies, and your favorite protein. Then add the turmeric noodles and a sauce of vinegar, soy sauce, and a little sugar.

Scatter fresh green onion and cilantro on top. If you’re after a gluten-free or vegetarian meal, just swap ingredients as needed.

Ingredients:

• 6 ounces dried rice noodles
• 1 ½ tablespoons turmeric powder
• 3 tablespoons white vinegar or tamarind paste
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, onion)
• 1 cup protein of choice (tofu, chicken, shrimp)
• Green onion and cilantro for garnish

Cooking Instructions:

1. Soak noodles in boiling water with turmeric for 8-10 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a pan. Sauté garlic until it smells great.
3. Toss in veggies and protein, cook until done.
4. Drain noodles and throw them into the pan.
5. Add vinegar, soy sauce, and sugar. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes.
6. Top with green onion and cilantro before serving.

10) Walnut Miso Noodles

This one’s easy and a little unexpected. Toss whole wheat noodles with a creamy walnut-miso dressing and add fresh asparagus for crunch.

The walnut-miso sauce is rich but somehow still light, with a nutty, umami flavor. Use whole wheat spaghetti, linguine, or even soba noodles—whatever you’re feeling.

Toast the walnuts first to boost their flavor. This dish is quick enough for lunch or dinner, and honestly, it’s a nice break from the usual routine.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces whole wheat spaghetti or soba noodles
• 1 small bunch of asparagus, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted
• 2 tablespoons white miso paste
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• Optional: chile paste for some heat

Cooking Instructions

1. Toast the walnuts in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 5 to 7 minutes.

2. Cook your noodles according to the package instructions. Drain them and set aside.

3. Steam or blanch the asparagus until it turns tender-crisp.

4. In a bowl, mix together miso, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil.

5. Toss in the toasted walnuts and mash them up a bit in the sauce.

6. Combine the noodles, asparagus, and sauce. Mix until everything’s nicely coated.

7. Want a little heat? Add some chile paste. Serve it warm, or cold if that’s your thing.

For more info, check out the recipe for Walnut Miso Noodles.