It’s an exciting day here at The Woks of Life. Because today, I have an AWESOME noodle recipe for you guys and it’s a lazy noodles recipe!
We all know how amazing Dan Dan Noodles are. They’re the perfect balance of spicy, savory flavors. But as any of you who’s seen––or actually managed to tackle––our Dan Dan Noodle recipe knows, it’s kind of an entire afternoon’s time commitment. There are lots of elements, and steps, and ingredients that come together into that glorious bowl of noodles. And it’s worth it.
But what if you don’t have all that time? What if, like me, you’re stumbling into your apartment after a long day at work, and you barely have time to walk the dog, edit photos, and answer emails…let alone spend two hours making dinner?
This lazy noodles recipe is the answer to my––and your––prayers. These 15-Minute Lazy Noodles really do come together in just 15 minutes, all with ingredients that you can likely find in your local grocery store. I call them “Lazy Noodles,” because I can throw them together even in my most lethargic of moods.
There’s also a ton of flexibility in this noodle recipe. Don’t have dark soy sauce? Leave it out. Don’t want to use ground beef, like I did? Use ground pork, chicken, or turkey. Want yours spicier? Add more chili oil. Sweeter? Add a bit more honey. Ran out of honey? Use sugar. Don’t have spinach? Throw in just about any other leafy green you can get your hands on.
This recipe will be a friend to you when you’re at your laziest––and hungriest. And substitutions are encouraged!
You’ll need:
- 12 oz. dried wheat noodles (almost any noodle will do––even spaghetti)
- 1-2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
- 1 pound ground beef, pork, chicken, or turkey
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, sliced
- 2 large handfuls of baby spinach
- salt and pepper
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 2 teaspoons chili oil (optional)
Bring a pot of water to a boil for the noodles. Meanwhile, heat the wok over high heat, and and add a tablespoon or two of oil. Add the ground meat, and stir-fry until browned and slightly crispy.
Add the onion and garlic, and continue to cook over high heat until the onions are slightly softened and browned at the edges.
Stir in the spinach until it’s just wilted. Season with salt and pepper.
Meanwhile, cook the noodles according to the package directions. Add to a bowl, along with the soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, and chili oil (if using).
Toss with the onion, meat, and spinach mixture.
15 minutes later, serve your lazy noodles!
15-Minute Lazy Noodles
Ingredients
- 12 oz. dried wheat noodles (340g, almost any noodle will do––even spaghetti)
- 1-2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
- 1 pound ground beef (or pork, chicken, or turkey)
- 1 onion (thinly sliced)
- 2 cloves garlic (sliced)
- 3 cups baby spinach
- salt and pepper
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 2 teaspoons chili oil (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water to a boil for the noodles. Meanwhile, heat the wok over high heat, and and add a tablespoon or two of oil. Add the ground meat, and stir-fry until browned and slightly crispy.
- Add the onion and garlic, and continue to cook over high heat until the onions are slightly softened and browned at the edges. Stir in the spinach until it’s just wilted. Season with salt and pepper.
- Meanwhile, cook the noodles according to the package directions. Add to a bowl, along with the soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, and chili oil (if using). Toss with the onion, meat, and spinach mixture. Serve!
Steph says
So easy, so delicious! This is a staple in our family now!
Sarah says
Love to hear that, Steph!
Elsie says
So delicious and so easy! I want to be lazy all the time!
Sarah says
Hahaha, I feel ya, Elsie! If food can taste this good with such little effort, why work harder than you need to?
JJ says
I will definitely make this again, my family loved it! Since we’re in “shelter in place,” I used what I had.
I used celery and cabbage in place of spinach and sriracha in place of chili oil. Such a flexible recipe!
Sarah says
The flexibility is what makes this recipe great, JJ! Thanks for trying it out!
Alicia Lindblom says
These were great. I used some buckwheat soba noodles I had in the pantry substituted red curry paste for chili oil and added ginger. They were soo good quick and easy too
Sarah says
Love it, Alicia! Glad you were able to find substitutions for things!
Trudy Watson says
My whole family loved it
Sarah says
Awesome, thanks Trudy!!