Quick Stir-Fried Noodles with Garlic and Chili Oil

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fast, flavorful stir-fry of tender noodles tossed with a spicy garlic chili oil and fresh vegetables, ready in under 20 minutes. This asian-inspired noodles (vegetarian) ready in about 20 minutes pairs rice noodles, vegetable oil, thinly sliced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 320 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Prepare 8 oz rice noodles according to package instructions until al dente, drain and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1 tsp red chili flakes, stirring constantly for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 julienned medium carrot and 1 small thinly sliced red bell pepper to the wok, stir-frying for 3-4 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
  4. Step 4: Toss in the cooked noodles, 3 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tbsp sesame oil, stirring vigorously to coat everything evenly and heat through for 2 minutes.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat, stir in 3 sliced green onions, and garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Quick Stir-Fried Noodles with Garlic and Chili Oil take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 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 Quick Stir-Fried Noodles with Garlic and Chili Oil?

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 rice noodles from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Quick Stir-Fried Noodles with Garlic and Chili Oil?

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 Quick Stir-Fried Noodles with Garlic and Chili Oil 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.

Is Quick Stir-Fried Noodles with Garlic and Chili Oil vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

Related recipes