Sesame Noodles Recipe (One Pot)

Quick and easy sesame noodles with Chinese flavors that's ready in less than 30 minutes on stovetop and makes a simple weeknight dinner.

If I am ever short on time, these healthy noodles are what I mostly end up making for dinner. Everything comes together so quickly and it's not too heavy like my other pasta recipes. It's light but still very filling. I love the subtle crunch from those sesame seeds! If you are fond of Chinese flavors, you need to give this meal a shot along with this Chicken Pad Thai (One Pot) or Thai Peanut Noodles (One Pot).

Key ingredients

• Pasta- I like to use Linguine or Spaghetti.
• Soy sauce- Use low sodium so the noodles aren't too salty.
• Ginger- You will want to use fresh, grated.
• Garlic- Be sure it is finely chopped.
• Vinegar- I personally prefer rice vinegar.
• Sesame oil- Has a distinct aroma and taste needed for this dish.
• Olive oil- One of the more healthy oil options.
• Sriracha- You can also use chili sauce instead.
• Salt- Always adds essential flavor.
• Pepper- Adjust according to your personal preference.
• Broccoli- Be sure they are small florets and already steamed.
• Sesame seeds- Toasting them adds more flavor.

Variations

• Spicy version- Increase the amount of Sriracha and sprinkle some chili flakes, prior to serving.
• Tahini noodles- Add ¼ cup in the noodles to give it creamy consistency and flavor (I don't like this too much but some of my friends love it).
• Add peanuts- To give the meal a crunchy, nutty flavor. I add ¼ cup toasted peanuts to the noddles. You can even enjoy this as cold leftovers for lunch.
• Add chicken- Use some shredded Rotisserie Chicken or cooked chicken cubes in this recipe. It pairs nice with the small steamed broccoli florets.
• Include other vegetables- I only used broccoli, but you can make it with any vegetables of your choice. Using steamed vegetables that you can pick up in the frozen aisles at the grocery store is easiest. This makes it more of a noodle salad.
• Make it a salad- Use bow tie pasta or mini shells along with all the other ingredients below and add toss in whatever veggies you like. Also, stir in lots of toasted sesame seeds and peanuts.
• Healthier version- You can use whole wheat spaghetti or Soba noodles. You can also use zucchini to make Zucchini Noodles (Zoodles) or Zucchini Noodles with Pesto (One Pot).
• Spicy Sesame Chicken noodles- Add chicken, increase the amount of Sriracha, and toss in some chili flakes or red pepper flakes.
• Stir fry- Cook chicken and lots of various vegetables in oil to make a stir fry that can be served over the noodles.

How to make sesame noodles?

1. Boil pasta- Then drain water and return pasta to pot.
2. Add in and toss together- Soy sauce, ginger, garlic, sriracha, vinegar, sesame oil, olive oil, salt, pepper, and steamed veggies.
3. Garnish- With onions and sesame seeds and enjoy.

What to serve with a noodle bowl?

Because this is a main dish you will want to serve various sides, such as:

• Salads- Like this Easy Green Salad (One Bowl), Asian Cabbage Salad (One Bowl), Carrot Raisin Salad (One Bowl), Asian Cucumber Salad (One Bowl), or Mandarin Orange Salad (One Bowl).
• Coleslaw- Like Asian Slaw or Coleslaw (One Bowl), Easy Carrot Slaw (One Bowl), or Oil and Vinegar Coleslaw (One Bowl).
• Classic Asian foods- Such as spring rolls, wontons, kimchi, or dumplings.
• Vegetables- Including various steamed veggies, Honey Glazed Carrots (One Pot), or Oven Roasted Vegetables (One Pan).

Tips and techniques

• Use a non-stick pot- So that there is no sticking or burning.
• Don't omit sesame oil- Because even though it's a little amount, it adds so much flavor.
• Use toasted sesame seeds- Because the flavor of the seeds gets enhanced by toasting plus the aroma is wonderful.
• Adjust the amount of sriracha- Based on your preference. I know some people don't like too much spice in their food.
• Use low sodium soy sauce- To prevent this meal from getting too salty.
• If you are using broccoli- Make sure to use small florets or just omit veggies altogether.
• Adjust salt and pepper- According to your personal preferences.

Recipe FAQs

Storage

• Refrigerate- Store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
• Freeze- Place in a sealed container in the freezer for up to 1 month.
• Reheat- In the microwave or on the stovetop. If frozen, thaw in the fridge before reheating.
• Make ahead- Make per instructions, then place in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month. Thaw, reheat, add toppings, and serve.

More one pot pasta recipes

• Instant Pot Vegetable Pasta
• Best Spaghetti and Meatballs
• Ham Pasta Salad (One Pot)
• Creamy Avocado Pasta (One Pot)
• Penne Alla Vodka (One Pot)

Recipe