Craving takeout? These 7 stir-fried noodle dinners are faster to make at home
The trick is to think like a stir-fry cook: prep everything before the pan is hot. Slice the vegetables, mix the sauce, loosen or cook the noodles and keep the protein ready. Once the wok or skillet is hot, dinner moves quickly and there is no time to search for a missing ingredient.
These 7 noodle dinners are made for that kind of weeknight: quick, flexible, full of flavour and easier to adapt than most takeout orders.
1. Chow mein when you want the classic takeout feeling
Love Chinese cuisine? Make it at home by trying our Chow Mein recipe! A mix of Chinese noodles, chicken, ginger, and vegetables. A complete, balanced, and easy dish to prepare! Tested and approved by the entire Ptitchef team, we leave you with the...
The reason it works so well on a weeknight is that everything cooks fast once the ingredients are ready. Slice the vegetables thinly, keep the noodles loose and let the pan do the work. It is the kind of dinner that feels ordered-in, but gets to the table before a delivery driver would.
2. Pad Thai with tofu for a fast vegetarian dinner
If you're a fan of Thai cuisine, you surely know Pad Thai :-) Today, we offer you the chance to make it at home, accompanied by tofu. Yes, you will see that tofu can be flavorful despite appearances ;-) Easy to make, we guide you step by step in...
This is the recipe to choose when you want something vegetarian but still complete. Keep the toppings simple and serve it immediately, because stir-fried noodles are at their best when they are glossy, hot and just coated.
3. Chinese noodles wok with vegetables and textured soy protein
For a dish that's easy to make and rich in flavor, try our Chinese noodles wok ! Here, you can taste a vegetarian filling made with vegetables and textured soy proteins . And if you have never tasted this ingredient, here is a good reason to be...
It is also one of the easiest dinners to adapt. Use the vegetables you already have, keep the heat high and stir often so the noodles pick up the sauce without becoming heavy. This is a good “clean out the fridge” dinner that still feels planned.
4. Shrimp udon noodles with spicy peanut sauce
Today we're preparing udon noodles with a sweet, salty and spicy wrap sauce. You'll love the peanut taste in this spicy Asian dish. Add the accompaniments of your choice for a complete meal. Here, the noodles are served with sautéed shrimp ....
This is the one to make when you want something richer than a light noodle bowl. Keep the sauce ready before the noodles hit the pan, because udon can go from perfect to sticky if it waits too long.
5. Instant noodles with beef and mushrooms
Fancy a delicious dish without spending hours in the kitchen ? Our Juliette -inspired "lazy" recipe is for you! Ready in a flash, it's super-easy to prepare thanks to a few simple tricks: cut the vegetables while the meat is cooking, and toss the...
This recipe is useful on the nights when the fridge looks limited and you still want something hot. Mushrooms add depth, beef adds protein and the noodles keep the whole meal fast enough to beat takeout.
6. Rice noodles with mushrooms and soft-boiled egg
Not sure what to do with your rice noodles ? Here is a recipe that should save your meal! Because yes, it is easy but also very quick to do ;-) And on the garnish side, we play it simple with mushrooms , a sauce based on soy sauce and a...
This is a good choice when you want noodles but not a heavy sauce. Keep the egg just soft enough to enrich the bowl, and add greens or extra vegetables if you want more volume.
7. Vegetable and shrimp wok for a lighter stir-fry night
A nutrient-packed dish with an Asian twist. If you love vegetables and Asian cuisine, this is your recipe! Wok with marinated shrimp, perfect for a weekday dinner served with rice. You don't have to be on a diet to enjoy a good vegetable dish!
Serve it with noodles or use it as a noodle-ready stir-fry base when you want a lighter takeout-style dinner. It is especially useful when you want protein and vegetables first, with noodles as the support rather than the whole meal.
How to make noodle dinners faster than takeout
Use high heat, cut ingredients small enough to cook quickly and avoid overcrowding the pan. If the noodles need soaking or boiling, do that before the stir-fry starts.
The goal is not to rush. It is to remove delays.
The takeaway
Chow mein, pad Thai, udon, rice noodles, instant noodles and vegetable woks all work because they cook quickly and leave room for whatever vegetables or protein you already have.
Choose one recipe, prep before the pan gets hot and dinner can be ready before the delivery app finishes tempting you.
Juliette HessI love travelling and discovering new dishes, trying out new food trends and exploring new restaurants.
I’m a huge fan of pasta and noodles in all their forms ❤ from udon noodles to tagliatelle, I love cooking them and even making them from scratch!
I’m currently preparing, filming and photographing your next recipe, and I hope you’ll enjoy it!
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