16 Easy Noodle Recipes for a Quick Meal Any Time of Day


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Melissa Hom

If you ask us, even the most basic noodle dishes make a great meal or snack any time of day. That's because there's little the humble starch needs to up the flavor factor, and there are endless ways to prepare them. Best of all, many noodle dishes can come together quite quickly, making them a great option for when you're short on time but need something satisfying. There are many noodle varieties on the market, and they're great to stock up on for use in a pinch with any number of recipes. From a Thai glass noodle salad to stir-fried lo mein or a cold Chinese noodle salad, these are our favorite easy noodle recipes for lunch, dinner, or even a midnight snack.

Easy Homemade Ramen Noodles

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Sho Spaeth

You can't have a noodle dish without the noodles! Make ramen noodles at home with pantry staples, and no more.

Yam Woon Sen (Thai Glass Noodle Salad With Shrimp)

A serving bowl of yam woon sen with shrimp.
Vicky Wasik

A spicy-sour Thai noodle salad that comes together in minutes.

Myeolchi Kal Guksu (Korean Anchovy Knife-Cut Noodle Soup)

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Vicky Wasik

Korean knife-cut noodle soup features tender and slippery fresh wheat noodles and a balanced selection of vegetables.

Bukkake Udon (Japanese Cold Noodles With Broth)

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Vicky Wasik

Chilled noodles in a savory broth keep you cool and satisfied.

Stir-Fried Lo Mein Noodles With Pork and Vegetables

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Emily and Matt Clifton

This colorful dish—packed with noodles, meat, and plenty of vegetables—comes together in a little more than half an hour, making it perfect for a weeknight.

Stir-Fried Lo Mein With Beef and Broccoli

A white ceramic bowl holding lo mein with beef and broccoli on a purple colored stone surface.
Serious Eats / Mariel De La Cruz

This Chinese-American restaurant staple—loaded with beef and broccoli—can easily be made at home.

Pressure Cooker Pho Ga (Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup)

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J. Kenji Lopez-Alt

This soup brings together rich, aromatic broth and fall-off-the-bone tender chicken in just 30 minutes, thanks to the pressure cooker.

Chinese Cold Noodle Salad with Sesame Dressing

Sesame Noodles with chili paste, cucumbers, and scallions in a blue bow with a wavy patterm
Serious Eats / Amanda Suarez

Clingy, velvety sauce, starchy noodles, and fresh vegetables come together in this cold noodle salad.

Vegetarian Mazemen With Beans and Egg

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Sho Spaeth

Soup-less ramen, or mazemen, is a delicious way to use up your dried beans, your bean-cooking liquid, and any leftovers you've got around.

XO Mazemen (Broth-less Ramen With XO Sauce)

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Vicky Wasik

This take on mazemen incorporates powerfully savory XO sauce to make a flavorful ramen that takes all of five minutes to prepare.

Bacon and Egg Mazemen

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Sho Spaeth

A soup-less ramen riff on pasta carbonara, all made with staples from the Japanese pantry.

Classic Cold Soba

Classic cold soba noodles
Serious Eats / Diana Chistruga

Cold, nutty soba noodles pair perfectly with a soy sauce and mirin dipping sauce for a simple yet satisfying meal.

Singapore Rice Noodles

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Shao Z.

Complete with shrimp and roast pork, this Singapore noodle stir-fry comes together in a matter of minutes.

Stir-Fried Lo Mein With Charred Cabbage, Shiitake, and Chives

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Melissa Hom

Quick and easy stir-fried noodles with shiitake mushrooms, Chinese chives, and charred cabbage.

Soba Salad With Seaweed, Cucumbers, and Asparagus

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Daniel Gritzer

This simple and refreshing pasta salad is made with soba (buckwheat) noodles, raw cucumber, lightly cooked asparagus, and wakame seaweed.

Sichuan Shirataki Sesame Noodle Salad

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J. Kenji López-Alt

Here, slick shirataki noodles pick up plenty of flavor from a sauce of Sichuan peppercorn and chili-infused oil, black vinegar, garlic, soy sauce, and peanuts.


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