Red Curry Noodles

This quick and easy red curry noodles recipe is packed with flavor and ready in just 15 minutes! It's a simple dish with plenty of potential. Make it as is, or make it your own by adding extra spices, protein, or vegetables.

With a recipe as easy to make and customizable as this, there are endless opportunities to make it your own. Get ready for out-of-this-world flavors as you dive into a bowl of red noodles.

Recipe Video

Why This Recipe Works

This red noodles recipe offers a winning combination of simplicity, speed, and versatility, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or a lazy Sunday afternoon lunch.

With just a handful of key ingredients and minimal preparation steps, these spicy red curry noodles are quick and easy to whip up, requiring no extensive culinary skills or lengthy cooking times. Additionally, using instant ramen and Thai red curry paste saves plenty of preparation time and effort in the kitchen, making this a convenient recipe to make as well.

Furthermore, while the core components remain constant—such as the red curry paste, noodles, and seasonings—there's ample room for personalization and experimentation. You can easily tailor the dish to suit your taste preferences, dietary restrictions, or ingredient availability by adjusting the spice level, incorporating different proteins or vegetables, or even swapping out certain ingredients entirely.

So, whether you're cooking for yourself or a table of hungry diners, you can rely on this recipe to deliver delicious results and maximum satisfaction with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Ramen Noodles:

Ramen noodles bring a unique texture and flavor to a red noodles recipe, making them a popular choice. Their chewy and springy consistency holds up well in sauces, ensuring they remain satisfying to eat even after being coated in the rich, flavorful red sauce. Additionally, ramen noodles cook quickly, making them convenient for a fast and delicious meal. However, if you want to explore other options, rice, soba, udon, and glass noodles are options that allow you to customize the red noodles recipe to your preference or dietary needs.

Sesame Oil:

Sesame oil is used in many Asian-inspired dishes, like these red curry noodles, for its rich, nutty flavor. It also has a high smoke point, making it suitable for stir-frying. If sesame oil is unavailable, some good alternatives are olive oil, peanut oil, canola oil, or coconut oil.

Green Onion:

Green onions are added to the dish for a distinct aromatic element. They add a mild flavor that complements the other ingredients in these homemade red noodles. However, if you have chives, leeks, or shallots on hand, they will also provide that same mild flavor and aromatic element.

Thai Red Curry Paste:

Thai red curry paste adds complex flavors and a vibrant red color to the dish, enriching it with a spicy, aromatic profile that includes ingredients like red chili peppers, garlic, lemongrass, ginger, and various spices. It brings a harmonious balance of heat, sweetness, and umami, creating a distinctive Thai-inspired taste. If you are looking for alternatives, cayenne pepper, paprika, harissa paste, sriracha sauce, or tomato paste could be used to achieve the same color and heat.

Garlic and Ginger:

Garlic and ginger are essential ingredients in many Asian-inspired dishes, including red noodles, adding both sweet and savory elements.

Soy Sauce:

Soy sauce adds depth, umami richness, and a savory, salty flavor to the dish. If soy sauce is unavailable or you're looking for alternatives, you can substitute it with tamari sauce for a gluten-free option, coconut aminos for a soy-free alternative, or fish sauce for a more intense umami flavor.

Seasonings:

Curry powder, red chili flakes, and paprika are used as seasoning in this flavorful red noodles recipe to impart depth, warmth, and subtle spiciness to the dish. These seasonings work together to create a well-balanced and flavorful sauce that complements the noodles and other ingredients. Other seasonings that you could consider adding are cumin, coriander, Szechuan peppercorns, garam masala, and turmeric.

Cilantro:

If you like the taste of cilantro, finishing your noodles off with a sprinkling of fresh cilantro is a great way to add freshness and vibrancy to your spicy red noodles. However, if you don't like cilantro, you can also use fresh basil, mint, or dill for a similar effect.

How to Make Red Noodles

Step One: 

Add ramen noodles to a pot of boiling water and cook until tender. Strain and set aside.

Step Two: 

Heat the sesame oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and saute until aromatic.

Step Three: 

Stir in the Thai red curry paste until incorporated, then mix in the garlic and ginger. Saute until aromatic.

Step Four:

Remove from heat and add the mixture to a bowl with the soy sauce, curry powder, paprika, red chili flakes, cilantro, and ramen noodles. Toss to combine.

Step Five: 

Serve topped with fresh herbs, and enjoy!

Tips

• Cook your noodles until they are al dente, which means they should be firm to the bite. Overcooking can make them mushy and less enjoyable.
• Enhance your red curry noodles recipe by adding protein like chicken, shrimp, tofu, or beef. Also, incorporate a variety of vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, and carrots for added texture and nutrition.

What to Serve With Red Noodles

When serving red noodles, consider pairing them with complementary side dishes that enhance the meal's overall flavor and texture. A crisp, refreshing cucumber salad with a light vinaigrette can provide a delightful contrast to the rich, savory noodles. Steamed or stir-fried vegetables, such as broccoli, snap peas, or bok choy, add a nutritious and vibrant touch to the plate.

For a bit of crunch, consider adding a side of spring rolls or dumplings, which can also introduce additional flavors and textures. If you're looking to include a protein-rich accompaniment, marinated grilled chicken, shrimp skewers, or tofu can balance the dish beautifully.

FAQs

Can I make this red noodle dish ahead of time?

You can prepare the sauce in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to three days. Cook the noodles fresh when you're ready to serve to avoid them becoming too soft.

How can I make the sauce thicker?

To thicken the sauce, you can let it simmer longer to reduce the liquid. Alternatively, you can add a small amount of cornstarch mixed with water to the sauce and cook until it thickens.

What proteins work well with red noodles?

Proteins like chicken, shrimp, beef, tofu, or pork pair well with red noodles. Cook the protein separately and then mix it into the sauce and noodles towards the end.

For how long can leftover red noodles be kept fresh?

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. While it's possible to freeze red noodles, the texture may change upon reheating. It's best to freeze the sauce separately and cook fresh noodles when you're ready to eat.

More Noodle Recipes

Noodles are a fun comfort food to make from time to time, especially when you need a quick and easy meal idea. We have gathered together some of our favorite noodle recipes to give you some culinary inspiration.

Hong Kong Noodles

Cheese Ramen

Sesame Noodles

Instant Pot Chicken Udon Noodle