Easy Noodle Stir Fry
By
It is a fact that earlier in the summer, my oldest son requested Ramen Noodles for his 14th birthday lunch. Bleh. I obliged because it was his birthday and because I could afford the 17¢ required to purchase the desired package of what can’t possibly be food since it only costs 17¢. Asa completely understands why we don’t normally eat MSG covered cardboard – but doggonit – he likes the stuff and it was a birthday treat.
Our family used to make a great stir fry dish using Ramen Noodles “back in the day” before we began our healthy eating journey. Asa has fond memories of that dish and was actually the inspiration behind this new version. One day he simply said, “Mom – don’t you think you could just use spaghetti noodles and soy sauce instead of ramen noodles and make the Stir Fry taste the way it used to taste?” Huh, well now why didn’t I think of that?
We tried it and WOW. We all devoured it (which isn’t entirely shocking because “devour” is typically what we do around our table three or more times each day). This dish is great for several reasons:
- It is very easy to make.
- It is completely healthy.
- You can make it a variety of ways, depending on which vegetables your family likes and has on hand.
- You can make it a meatless dish or add chicken to make it a complete meal!
Easy Noodle Stir Fry
2-4 cups fresh or frozen veggies of your choice (broccoli, carrots, peas, peppers, corn, zucchini, squash, etc.)
3 Tablespoons olive oil
1 clove minced fresh garlic or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
10 ounces whole wheat spaghetti noodles
Soy sauce (to taste)
Sea salt (to taste)
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I have a weakness for Ramen. I probably have a packet once a year or so. That and Chef Boy R D. Evil, evil I tell you.
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sure look forward to trying this and have a yummy healthier recipe instead of ramen noodles.
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What a great idea. Kudos Asa.
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Looks great…I think my kids will love this!
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I made this and it was a hit!
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great idea!
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Loved ramen noodles while in college! :) Of course now I shutter to think about how terrible it was for me!!
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I’ve made this before, but making a kind of terryaki sauce from my soy sauce, nice to get a simple suggestion of just using the soy sauce, great idea for when I am busy or tired. All those veggies look great, I think cabbage would be good in it to.
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I tried your noodles stir fry, since I have been craving veggie lomein. It was yummy….thank you for the idea!
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Yes, it’s very strange how yummy ramen noodles taste considering they are not made out of food, really. We don’t buy them, ever, but I’m looking forward to trying this recipe to see if we can replicate the taste…:)
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Hubby and oldest child love RAmen…I’ve never been a fan. However, it’s been a while since we had stir-fry…this looks super easy…and only has a few ingredients…we will have to try it! :)
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My husband and asa have those noodles in common! Myhusband looooooves them and often wants me to buy them lol. I think irs the cheapest way to make his day:) but since he likes them “cooked” a certain way that only hr knows, splurging once in a blue moon is exciting for him…and me:) since I get a meal off!
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Ramen is nasty! This, however, looks delicious! I may try it with zucchini noodles since we don’t do grains.
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I have just tried ramen this past week, through a Vietnamese friend. They were homemade and delicious! Can’t wait to try your recipe!
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Looks really good and I’m sure my kids will eat it!
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I used to like Ramen Noodles. I’ve been eating mostly whole foods for several years. I had Ramen Noodles a couple of month’s ago for old time’s sake and Blechhhh!!! Your Stir Fry recipe sounds wonderful though! I hope to try it this week!
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I will put this recipe on my menu plan for this coming week. Thanks for what looks simple and delicious.
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I’ve always been afraid to try Ramen Noodles! However, this recipe looks really good…I’ll be trying this sometime this week!!
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Hopefully this will replace my childs craving for ramen noodles
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These were an awesome tasting, quick to make lunch. sometimes I just need something that will go over well and this definitely did. thanks so much
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My kids LOVE ramen. I know how bad they are for them and have been wanting to find an alturnative. your recipe looks so good. I think I will try it this week for them.
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Never have eaten them.
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I ate them as a kid a few times. I can still remember that enticing smell and taste. Oh so bad for you so I stay away. I can’t wait to try your version. Thanks!
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I don’t really have a relationship with Ramen Noodles, but I think this recipe sounds so simple, healthy and delicious that I’m going to develop a relationship with it! I love that it is built in veggie (obviously, it is a stir fry after all).
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I’ve been making a similar dish for quite a while. I cook some garlic with the veggies and add some red pepper flakes and ginger for some kick.
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My husband requested ramen noodlesin his boxes from me while he was stationed in Afghanistan last year. I can’t stand them, they’re too salty for me. We’re trying stir fry tonight with noodles. Can’t wait!
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I eat Ramen noodles but I throw the packet out and use my own seasonings. I like to saute red peppers and sweet onions in olive oil and then cover the noodels with it. Yummy. Looking forward to trying this recipe. I wish my husband and son liked vegetables!
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We do this too, but when we toss the soy sauce, we add a little fresh parmesan cheese too! (Not sure why, but we do, and it is yummy)
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My kids and I love Ramen! I have been tossing out the ‘flavoring’ packet for ages though. I make the noodles and add either an MSG free bouillon cube or stir in a TBS of Miso after the noodles are done. We called it Oddles of Noodles growing up and it is a sure fire cure for me when I feel like throwing up.
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Erin Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 8:40 am
Where you you find MSG free bouillon cubes? I’ve looked high and low and haven’t been able to find them. Thanks. I would love to find some.
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birthrightrose Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:29 pm
We have a warehouse club in the East called BJ’s and they have soft
bouillon cubes in beef and chicken flavors that are MSG free. They are
also a good price. See if you can get them!
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I make this too, and add a tablespoon of sesame oil. It’s really good with it. Thanks for sharing!
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@Erin……I purchase MSG free chicken & beef base at Walmart! It’s in jars on the top shelf in the soup aisle. It’s by ‘Better than Bouillon’, it does have a few not so good ingredients, the best by far is homemade chicken stock, but this comes in handy as a close 2nd! :)
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We sometimes have ramen noodles around here. We don’t use the seasoning packet though. We just throw it away. The kids then mix their own versions of chinese sauce using jellies, balsamic vinaigrette and liquid aminos. They are happy when they can make a snack and I am happy that I don’t have to. :)
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I just made this tonight expecting leftovers for lunch, but my family devoured the whole thing and begged me to make it again sometime. Thanks for another great recipe!
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I’m weird. I don’t like Ramen Noodles cooked. I like them raw. I actually brake up the uncooked noodles in the bag and pour the dry seasoning packet over the top. Yes I know it’s bizarre but I’ve always loved the crunch of dry pasta. I even used to steal a spaghetti noodle or two out of the pot before they all drowned in water.
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We used to love ramen noodles. Tried them again not too long ago. Yuck! I sure miss the idea of them though. Trying this tonight. Thanks for the makeover
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A little orange marmalade with some soy and terikai is tasty on the whole wheat noodles as well
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made these for lunch today. was a big hit with the hubby! my one year old loved it as well. DH says this would be great for dinner! Thanks Laura, you’ve done it again!
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Fantastic recipe :-) and as i was cooking it , my picky 10yr old was cooking a pack of top ramen haha!!
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I just read your post about fats and oils and how it is apparently not healthy to high heat vegetable oils, but I see here you are frying with olive oil… is frying not considered high enough heat to create the damaging changes to the oil?
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Laura Reply:
October 27th, 2012 at 9:15 am
Yes, sorry for the confusion on that. Olive oil is fine up to 450 degrees without becoming unhealthy. Since it would be very difficult to even come close to that tempurature in this recipe, I don’t think you need to worry about it being damaged. Thanks for asking!
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My family used to enjoy stir fry, but I’ve become sensitive to soy. Do you know of any substitutes for soy sauce that still impart flavor? I haven’t seen any…
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Kris Mays Reply:
January 28th, 2013 at 9:39 am
I would use sea salt, instead.
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Felicia Reply:
May 8th, 2013 at 1:09 pm
Try Coconut Aminos! This is what we use now since we went soy free. Taste just like it!
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Annie Chun’s makes 100% whole grain brown rice pad thai and mai fun noodles, they are great! http://www.anniechun.com/our-food/noodles/pad-thai-brown
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