20 Tasty Noodle Recipes Worth Trying

Noodles are the kind of comfort food that connects cultures and cravings all around the world. No matter if it’s slurped, twirled, or stir-fried, this humble staple has a way of bringing people together, one satisfying bite at a time.

Looking for a quick weeknight fix or a show-stopping dish for guests? These 20 noodle recipes are sure to take your meals to the next level.

1. Classic Spaghetti Carbonara

Nothing beats the silky richness of authentic carbonara. The secret lies in tossing hot pasta with eggs and cheese off the heat, creating a velvety sauce without scrambling.

I learned this technique while visiting Rome, where locals scoffed at versions with cream. The combination of pecorino, pancetta, and black pepper creates a harmony of flavors that’s both sophisticated and comforting.

Remember to reserve some pasta water to adjust the consistency if needed.

2. Spicy Sesame Peanut Noodles

Cold noodles tossed in a nutty, spicy sauce make for the perfect lunch on hot summer days. The combination of creamy peanut butter, sesame oil, soy sauce, and chili creates layers of flavor that develop as they sit.

Add thinly sliced cucumbers, carrots, and bell peppers for a refreshing crunch that complements the silky noodles. Top with chopped peanuts and green onions for extra texture and visual appeal.

3. Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Grandma’s chicken noodle soup always appeared magically whenever I had a cold. The golden broth, tender chicken, and hearty egg noodles seemed to have healing powers beyond medicine.

Start with a whole chicken to create a rich, flavorful stock. Add carrots, celery, and onions for aromatics, then wide egg noodles that hold up well in the broth.

A sprinkle of fresh dill or parsley brightens the entire pot.

4. Pad Thai with Shrimp

Thailand’s most famous noodle dish balances sweet, sour, salty, and umami flavors perfectly. Rice noodles provide the canvas for tamarind-based sauce, plump shrimp, crunchy bean sprouts, and crushed peanuts.

The key to authentic pad thai is cooking quickly over high heat, preferably in a wok. Keep ingredients moving constantly to prevent sticking and burning.

Serve with lime wedges and extra chili flakes for customizable heat levels.

5. Creamy Mushroom Stroganoff Noodles

My vegetarian friends always request this earthy, savory dish when they visit. Mixed mushrooms create complex flavors that meat-eaters won’t miss.

Sauté cremini, shiitake, and oyster mushrooms until golden brown before adding garlic and thyme. The secret ingredient is a splash of cognac or brandy before stirring in sour cream.

Wide egg noodles catch every bit of the velvety sauce for maximum satisfaction.

6. Spicy Korean Japchae

Sweet potato glass noodles form the base of this colorful Korean celebration dish. Their springy, slightly chewy texture absorbs the sweet and savory sauce beautifully.

Vegetables like spinach, carrots, and bell peppers are cooked separately to maintain their vibrant colors. Marinated beef adds protein, though the dish works wonderfully as a vegetarian option too.

Sesame oil and seeds provide the distinctive nutty finish.

7. Lemon Garlic Shrimp Linguine

Light yet satisfying, this pasta combines delicate seafood with bright citrus notes. Fresh linguine works best here, though dried is perfectly acceptable.

When I lived near the coast, this was my go-to for impressing dinner guests without spending hours in the kitchen. Cook the shrimp just until pink to keep them tender and juicy.

Fresh parsley and lemon zest add color and aroma that elevate the entire dish.

8. Beef Pho From Scratch

Vietnam’s soul-warming soup starts with beef bones simmered for hours with charred ginger, onions, and aromatic spices like star anise and cinnamon. The resulting broth is clear yet deeply flavorful.

Rice noodles provide the foundation, while paper-thin slices of beef cook gently in the hot broth. Fresh herbs, bean sprouts, lime, and chili create a customizable experience with every bowl.

Patience is the secret ingredient here.

9. Singapore Noodles with Curry Powder

Despite the name, this dish actually originated in Hong Kong’s dai pai dong street stalls. Thin rice vermicelli noodles turn vibrant yellow when tossed with curry powder.

The wok-fried medley typically includes scrambled eggs, shrimp, char siu pork, and vegetables like bell peppers and bean sprouts. Every forkful offers different flavors and textures.

Restaurants often tone down the curry, but at home, you can dial up the spice level.

10. Dan Dan Noodles

Sichuan’s famous street food delivers a complex flavor profile that’s addictively good. The sauce combines sesame paste, chili oil, soy sauce, and Sichuan peppercorns for numbing heat.

Topped with seasoned ground pork and fresh green onions, each bowl offers layers of texture and taste. Traditional versions use fresh wheat noodles with a slight chew.

Adjust the chili oil to your preference, but authentic dan dan noodles should have noticeable heat.

11. Butternut Squash Ravioli with Sage Brown Butter

Fall flavors shine in these delicate pasta pillows filled with sweet roasted squash. Making pasta from scratch intimidated me until a cooking class in Florence showed me how therapeutic the process can be.

The filling combines butternut squash with a touch of nutmeg, Parmesan, and amaretti cookie crumbs for subtle sweetness. Brown butter sauce with crispy sage leaves completes this restaurant-worthy dish.

A sprinkle of toasted walnuts adds wonderful textural contrast.

12. Coconut Curry Laksa

Malaysian laksa combines the best elements of soup and curry in one spicy, aromatic bowl. The broth balances coconut milk creaminess with tangy tamarind and complex spice paste made from lemongrass, galangal, and chilies.

Hokkien noodles or rice vermicelli provide substance, while toppings like shrimp, chicken, tofu puffs, and bean sprouts add variety. Fresh herbs are essential for brightening the rich flavors.

Serve with sambal on the side for extra heat.

13. Cacio e Pepe

Roman simplicity shines in this three-ingredient pasta that relies on technique rather than complexity. Tonnarelli or spaghetti are tossed with Pecorino Romano cheese and freshly cracked black pepper, creating magic from minimal components.

The trick lies in creating a creamy sauce using just cheese, pepper, and pasta water. No cream or butter needed here.

When visiting Rome last year, I discovered that locals consider this the ultimate test of a chef’s pasta skills.

14. Shrimp Lo Mein

Cantonese lo mein features wheat noodles with a satisfying chew, tossed with savory sauce and quick-cooked vegetables. The noodles absorb the flavors of oyster sauce, soy, and sesame oil beautifully.

Shrimp cook in just minutes, making this a perfect weeknight dinner. Bell peppers, snow peas, and carrots add color and nutrition.

Unlike chow mein, lo mein noodles are boiled rather than fried, resulting in a softer texture.

15. Pesto Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes

Summer captured in a bowl, this bright pasta celebrates fresh basil at its peak. Traditional Ligurian pesto combines basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan, and olive oil, pounded by hand for the best texture.

I grow basil every summer just for this dish. Burst cherry tomatoes add juicy sweetness that balances the savory pesto perfectly.

Reserve some pasta water to help the sauce coat each strand of spaghetti or linguine evenly.

16. Udon Noodles with Miso Broth

Thick, chewy udon noodles swim in umami-rich miso broth for a satisfying Japanese comfort meal. The contrast between the slippery noodles and savory broth creates a deeply satisfying experience.

Soft tofu, sliced mushrooms, and spinach add nutritional value without overpowering the delicate flavors. A sprinkle of togarashi (Japanese spice blend) adds pleasant heat and complexity.

Slurping is encouraged and considered a compliment to the chef in Japan.

17. Cajun Chicken Pasta

Spicy, creamy, and utterly craveable, this fusion dish brings Louisiana flavors to Italian pasta. Blackened chicken provides smoky heat while bell peppers and onions add sweetness and color.

The cream sauce balances the Cajun spices without dampening their impact. During college, this was the first “fancy” dish I learned to cook for date nights.

Penne or fettuccine work equally well, catching the sauce in different but equally delicious ways.

18. Vegetable Chow Mein

Crispy yet soft egg noodles create the foundation for this Chinese takeout favorite. Unlike lo mein, chow mein noodles are partially fried, creating a wonderful textural contrast.

The sauce is light but flavorful, allowing the vegetables to shine. Bean sprouts, cabbage, carrots, and bell peppers maintain their crunch when stir-fried quickly over high heat.

A splash of Chinese black vinegar at the end adds depth that most home cooks miss.

19. Lamb Ragu Pappardelle

Wide ribbons of pappardelle pasta stand up beautifully to rich, slow-cooked lamb sauce. The meat becomes meltingly tender after hours of gentle simmering with red wine, tomatoes, and herbs.

My first attempt at this dish was a disaster with tough meat and broken pasta. Now it’s my signature dinner party dish that never fails to impress guests.

Fresh pasta works best here, but good quality dried pappardelle is a fine substitute.

20. Cold Soba Noodle Salad

Perfect for hot summer days, this refreshing Japanese dish features chilled buckwheat noodles with crisp vegetables. The dipping sauce combines dashi, soy, and mirin for a light yet savory flavor.

Cucumber, radish, and carrots add crunch and color. Traditional versions include a small mound of wasabi for mixing into the dipping sauce according to taste.

Slurp the noodles from the dipping sauce rather than pouring it over top.