Mushroom & Herb Pho-Inspired Noodle Bowl
A fragrant, umami-rich broth with shiitake and cremini mushrooms, served over rice noodles with fresh herbs and lime, inspired by Vietnamese pho. This vietnamese-inspired soups ready in about 55 minutes pairs shiitake mushrooms, cremini mushrooms, beef broth for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 oz shiitake mushrooms
- 4 oz cremini mushrooms
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 tbsp ginger
- 2 cloves garlic
- 8 oz rice noodles
- 1 lime
- 1/4 cup cilantro
- 1/2 cup bean sprouts
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Slice shiitake mushrooms thinly and cremini mushrooms into 1/4-inch slices. Heat a pot over medium-high heat, add mushrooms and cook 5 minutes until golden and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes to the pot, stir for 1 minute until aromatic. Pour in beef broth and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Step 3: Simmer broth for 20 minutes to develop flavor. Meanwhile, cook rice noodles in boiling water for 7 minutes until tender; drain and rinse under cold water.
- Step 4: Divide noodles into bowls. Pour hot broth over noodles, topping with sliced mushrooms. Garnish with cilantro, bean sprouts, and a wedge of lime. Squeeze lime juice over the top before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mushroom & Herb Pho-Inspired Noodle Bowl take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (25 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Mushroom & Herb Pho-Inspired Noodle Bowl?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep shiitake mushrooms from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Mushroom & Herb Pho-Inspired Noodle Bowl?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Mushroom & Herb Pho-Inspired Noodle Bowl for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Mushroom & Herb Pho-Inspired Noodle Bowl?
Vietnamese soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
So much better than takeout. We'll never order vietnamese delivery again.
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.