If you love a “fusion” dish, you’re going to enjoy garlic noodles. This dish is the perfect blend of simplicity and bold flavors, made by combining Asian seasoning with American and Italian ingredients. It is also your best bet on a busy workday or weeknight for a simple, quick dish that is family-friendly and a kid favorite! My daughters LOVE my garlic noodles for its buttery, garlicky goodness, plus umami-rich notes, and have labeled it the “most delicious noodles EVER!” Let’s dive in to this easy recipe!
INGREDIENTS
Besides a ton of garlic, ingredients needed for my garlic noodles are staples you’d find in your pantry and refrigerator, especially if you cook Asian dishes often!
- Light and dark soy sauce: These ingredients likely do not need an introduction! They’re often used in Asian cuisine, in stir-fries, marinades and as a table condiment, to add saltiness and to impart a more complex flavor to dishes. Dark soy sauce is named as such because it features a darker brown-black hue that comes in handy for dishes that are usually presented in darker colors, like stir-fried beef with flat noodles! I’ve entrusted Kikkoman’s Lite Soy Sauce and Lee Kum Kee’s Dark Soy Sauce for many years.
- Fish sauce: This is a salty, savory and umami condiment made from fermented fish. The strong, pungent smell may be acquired to many, but believe me, the sauce adds complexity and balance to many dishes and a little goes a long way!
- Sesame oil: This is a flavorful oil extracted from sesame seeds, typically used as a finishing oil or flavoring oil rather than for cooking (given it has a very low smoking point). It possesses a rich and nutty flavor that can enhance any dish!
- Butter: Need I say more? Butter also has a rich and slightly nutty flavor that, when infused with a dish, adds creaminess and a smooth, velvety texture. It pairs well with noodles, proteins and the garlic in this recipe, amplifying flavors without overpowering them.
- Thin spaghetti: This is your traditional spaghetti BUT THINNER. They’re also slightly thicker than angel hair pasta, and that is why they’re ideal for this garlic noodle recipe! They’re a convenient choice for quick meals and easily adaptable to different flavor profiles. Not to mention, KIDS LOVE THEM!
TIPS FOR SUCCESS
- GARLIC: Use FRESH Garlic!! Finely minced fresh garlic is key to achieving the bold and aromatic flavors in the perfect dish of garlic noodles. Please avoid pre-minced, packaged garlic if possible.
- NOODLES: While I opt for thin spaghetti most of the time, regular spaghetti or egg noodles work beautifully with this recipe. I haven’t tried others, but am sure there are many other great alternatives.
- FLAVORS: The sauce measurements I’ve used were to my preference. Please adjust them to your liking and add sugar/salt to find the perfect balance for you!
TAG ME!
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Garlic Noodles
All you need are staple ingredients in your pantry, as well as minimal time, to make this aromatic noodle dish that combines Asian seasoning with Italian and American ingredients!
Ingredients
SAUCE INGREDIENTS
- 3 tbsp oyster sauce
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 4 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
REMAINING INGREDIENTS
- 10 cloves garlic finely minced
- 14 oz thin spaghetti or noodle of choice
- 6 tbsp salted butter
OPTIONAL GARNISHMENTS
- grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 stalk scallions finely chopped
- red pepper flakes
Instructions
- SAUCE: In a small bowl, mix all the sauce ingredients until well blended, then set aside.
- NOODLES: In a stock pot, cook thin spaghetti (or noodle of choice) according to package instructions.
- When there are 2 minutes of boiling time remaining for the spaghetti, prepare the sauce by melting the butter in a large saucepan, over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, then stir until aromatic (about 45 to 60 seconds), followed by the sauce mixture you've prepared earlier. Give the ingredients a brief mix, then turn off the fire when you see tiny bubbles forming around the rim of the pan.
- Strain the spaghetti (saving some pasta sauce), then place them into the saucepan. Using tongs, mix until the noodles are evenly coated with the sauce. Add pasta sauce if the spaghetti appears dry, 1 tbsp at a time, then mix until incorporated.
- Add optional parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes and/or chopped scallions, then mix until blended.
- Serve immediately! Enjoy
Video
Notes
PRODUCTS USED/RECOMMENDED:
- Light Soy Sauce – https://amzn.to/4h2xx7W
- Sesame Oil – https://amzn.to/3Q2CAcZ
- Dark Soy Sauce – https://amzn.to/40kunFD
- Oyster Sauce – https://amzn.to/3PLRmUY
- Fish Sauce – https://amzn.to/3WlNkXq
- Thin Spaghetti – https://amzn.to/3Ec2ist
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