Sometimes, you just need a bowl of noodles that’s quick, comforting, and packed with flavor. Enter this Easy Saucy Ramen Noodles Recipe—a customizable dish that’s as simple as it is satisfying. Whether you’re whipping it up for a speedy dinner or jazzing it up with your favorite veggies and proteins, this recipe will hit the spot every single time.
What makes these noodles special is the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors in the sauce. Plus, you can make it as spicy or mild as you like. Trust me, once you try this saucy, slurp-worthy dish, it’ll be a go-to in your meal rotation!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast and Flavorful: Ready in just 25 minutes with bold, punchy flavors.
- Customizable: Add your favorite veggies, tofu, mushrooms, or protein of choice.
- Perfectly Saucy: The thick, glossy sauce clings to every noodle for maximum flavor.
- Vegan-Friendly: Completely plant-based and easily adjustable for dietary preferences.
Ingredients in Easy Saucy Ramen Noodles Recipe
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
This dish comes together with simple pantry staples and fresh ingredients:
- Noodles: Ramen noodles are the classic choice, but you can use any noodles you have on hand—rice noodles, soba, or even spaghetti will work!
- Tofu, Veggies, or Mushrooms: Add your favorite sautéed vegetables or protein. Tofu is a great vegan option, while mushrooms add a meaty texture.
- Soy Sauce: Provides the salty, umami-rich base for the sauce. Use dark soy sauce for deeper color if desired.
- Corn Starch: Thickens the sauce to perfectly coat the noodles.
- Sweetener: Adjust the sugar or maple syrup to balance the saltiness.
- Rice Vinegar: Adds a tangy note that brightens up the dish.
- Chili Garlic Sauce: Brings heat and spice for those who love a little kick.
- Sesame Oil: Adds a nutty, aromatic richness to the sauce.
- Garlic: Optional but highly recommended for an extra layer of flavor.
- Scallions and Sesame Seeds: Garnish for a fresh and crunchy finish.
Variations
This recipe is endlessly adaptable—make it your own with these ideas:
- Add Protein: Stir in cooked chicken, shrimp, or even scrambled eggs for extra heartiness.
- Boost the Veggies: Toss in broccoli, bell peppers, snap peas, or spinach.
- Make It Spicier: Add extra chili garlic sauce or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free noodles and tamari instead of soy sauce.
How to Make Easy Saucy Ramen Noodles Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Sauce
In a bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients until smooth. Adjust the measurements to match your preferred sweetness, saltiness, and spice level. Set aside.
Step 2: Cook the Noodles
Boil water in a small pot over high heat. Add the ramen noodles and cook until they’re slightly underdone—about 2-3 minutes less than the package instructions. Drain and rinse the noodles under cold water to stop them from cooking further. Set aside.
Step 3: Sauté the Veggies or Protein
Heat a pan over medium-high heat with a little oil. Add your choice of veggies, mushrooms, or tofu, and sauté until cooked to your liking. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Step 4: Cook the Sauce
Give the sauce a quick stir to ensure the cornstarch hasn’t settled at the bottom. Pour the sauce into the pan and bring it to a simmer over medium heat. Stir continuously as the sauce thickens.
Step 5: Combine Everything
Once the sauce has thickened slightly, add the noodles to the pan. Toss well to coat them evenly in the sauce. Add the sautéed veggies or tofu back into the pan and cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the noodles to absorb some of the sauce.
Step 6: Serve and Garnish
Taste the noodles and adjust the seasoning if needed. Garnish with chopped scallions and sesame seeds for a fresh, crunchy finish. Serve hot and enjoy!
Tips for Making the Recipe
- Don’t Overcook the Noodles: Undercooking them slightly prevents them from getting mushy in the sauce.
- Keep Stirring the Sauce: This ensures the cornstarch doesn’t clump and the sauce thickens evenly.
- Double the Sauce: If you’re adding lots of veggies or extra noodles, make more sauce to keep everything saucy and flavorful.
How to Serve
These saucy noodles are a meal in themselves, but here are a few ideas to elevate the dish:
- Side of Dumplings: Pair with veggie dumplings or spring rolls for an Asian-inspired feast.
- Extra Heat: Serve with chili oil or Sriracha on the side for spice lovers.
- Crunchy Additions: Top with crispy fried onions or crushed peanuts for extra texture.
Make Ahead and Storage
- To Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To Freeze: While freezing noodles can affect their texture, you can freeze the sauce separately for up to 3 months.
- To Reheat: Warm in a pan over medium heat. Add a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce if it has thickened too much.
FAQs
1. Can I use other types of noodles?
Absolutely! Rice noodles, udon, soba, or even spaghetti work beautifully in this recipe.
2. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Use gluten-free noodles and substitute tamari or coconut aminos for soy sauce.
3. How do I thicken the sauce more?
If the sauce isn’t thick enough, dissolve 1 teaspoon of cornstarch in 2 tablespoons of water and stir it into the simmering sauce.
4. Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare the sauce and chop the veggies in advance. Store them separately, then cook everything together when ready to serve.
Conclusion
This Easy Saucy Ramen Noodles Recipe is a lifesaver for busy nights when you’re craving something quick, flavorful, and endlessly customizable. With its rich, glossy sauce and perfectly coated noodles, this dish is bound to become a favorite in your kitchen. So grab those ramen noodles and get ready to dive into a bowl of pure, saucy comfort—you won’t regret it!
PrintEasy Saucy Ramen Noodles Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Description
These saucy ramen noodles are quick, versatile, and packed with flavor. Customize with tofu, veggies, or mushrooms for a satisfying meal in just 25 minutes!
Ingredients
Noodles:
- 4 servings dry instant ramen noodle cakes (about 140 g total)
For Sautéing:
- 20 oz extra firm tofu, veggies, or mushrooms of choice, sliced
Sauce:
- 2 cups water or vegetable broth (see notes)
- 10–14 tablespoons soy sauce (adjust to taste)
- 3 teaspoons dark soy sauce (optional for color)
- 4–6 tablespoons cornstarch (see notes)
- 2–6 tablespoons sugar, maple syrup, or other liquid sweetener (adjust for sweetness)
- 4 tablespoons rice vinegar, white vinegar, or lemon juice (adjust for sourness)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce or other hot sauce (optional, for spice)
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
For Serving:
- Chopped scallions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce:
In a bowl, mix all the sauce ingredients until well combined. Adjust the sweetness, saltiness, sourness, and spice to your liking. Set aside. - Cook the Noodles:
- Bring a pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the ramen noodles and cook until half-done (2-3 minutes less than the package instructions).
- Drain and rinse the noodles under cold water to stop further cooking and remove excess starch. Set aside.
- Sauté the Veggies or Tofu:
Heat a pan over medium-high heat with a little oil. Sauté the veggies, mushrooms, or tofu until cooked to your liking. - Simmer the Sauce:
- Stir the sauce again to ensure the cornstarch is fully incorporated.
- Pour the sauce into the pan and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes over medium heat until it begins to thicken, stirring continuously to prevent sticking.
- Combine Noodles with Sauce:
Add the cooked noodles to the pan. Toss to coat the noodles evenly in the sauce. Cook for another 3 minutes over medium-high heat, allowing the noodles to absorb some of the sauce and thicken. - Taste and Adjust:
Taste the noodles and adjust with more soy sauce, sweetener, or pepper if needed. - Serve:
Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped scallions. Serve hot and enjoy immediately!
Notes
- Double the Sauce: If using extra veggies or tofu, double the sauce for a saucier dish.
- Soy Sauce Adjustments: If using vegetable broth, reduce the soy sauce initially and adjust to taste, as some broths can be salty.
- Cornstarch Tip: If adding cornstarch later, dilute it in 2 tablespoons of water before mixing it into the sauce to avoid clumps.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 320kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1020mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Way too much sauce in the recipe for the small amount of noodles. If I try this again, I’ll halve the sauce and/or double the noodles.