In a family with four kids and busy parents, we frequently need a quick yet satisfying dinner that the kids will actually enjoy eating, and these stir-fry noodles are literally in our top 5 dinners that we make a lot.
It ticks too many boxes to remove it from our weekly menu. It's super easy to make (less than half an hour!), filling, full of flavor, doesn't break the bank, contains veggies that kids don't mind eating (victory!), and has no refined sugar added. For us as advocates of a sugar-free lifestyle, it's a total win-win.
We also frequently swap noodles with spaghetti, our kids' favorite pasta. For an even more filling dinner with extra protein, we love to add sliced pork chops or chicken. This is a great meal prep option for families with kids. Once you've batch-cooked a pile of pork chops, it's easy to use them in many different meals, like our one-pan pork chops with tomatoes and cheese.
So, let's get down to making some dinner!
Step-By-Step Instructions
To make this dish refined-sugar-free, you'll need a honey-based teriyaki sauce that you can easily make at home. We always have it in the fridge for these quick dinner meals.
As a part of our meal prep routine, we shred fresh veggies using our dearest friend, the Kenwood stand mixer, and stack them in the freezer, so we always have perfectly shredded veggies for quick dinner meals. However, you can also use quality store-bought frozen veggies.
First, follow the instructions on the noodle package to cook your noodles. Meanwhile, heat oil or butter in a deep pan (preferably a wok) and fry thinly sliced/shredded vegetables (think julienne-style slicing). Don't forget to sprinkle with some salt for extra flavor.
After 3-5 minutes, add the teriyaki sauce and stir well. Then, fry for an additional 1 minute.
Stir in the cooked noodles.
Sprinkle with roasted sesame seeds and serve as is or with an extra protein of your choice (like chicken or pork).
Easy, right?
Pasta dishes (like this Chipotle pasta salad with chicken) are a no-miss option for quick, kid-friendly dinners. We NEVER have any leftovers, which speaks for itself.
30-Minute Stir-Fry Teriyaki Noodles (Kids Approved)
Ingredients
- 4 oz (115 g) uncooked noodles (or spaghetti)
- 15 oz (425 g) shredded fresh or frozen veggies
- 1 cup sugar-free teriyaki sauce
- 1 tablespoon roasted sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
- 2 teaspoon salt (1 teaspoon for pasta, 1 teaspoon for veggies; adjust to taste)
Instructions
- Cook noodles in salt water according to the noodle package instructions.
- Meanwhile, preheat a wok pan, add olive oil (or butter) and fry veggies for 3-5 minutes. Sprinkle with salt to taste.
- Add teriyaki sauce to the veggies, stir well, and fry for additional 1 minute, then remove from heat.
- Once the noodles are cooked, add them to the veggie teriyaki sauce, stir well and serve immediately, sprinkling with some roasted sesame seeds.
Notes
- Consider freezing shredded veggies in batches for future use, so this recipe is ready in even less time.
- Serve with some meat for an even more satisfying meal.
- When using frozen veggies, the frying time might slightly increase. Wait for the liquid to evaporate entirely, and ensure the veggies are heated through and tender enough (don't overcook, though! We love them slightly crispy).
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