Rice noodles are a tasty and versatile ingredient for quick meals. They cook fast and soak up flavors well, making them perfect for busy weeknights.

You can use them in stir-fries, soups, salads, and more.

These 15 rice noodle recipes will give you lots of ideas for easy, yummy dinners. You’ll find dishes with chicken, beef, shrimp, and veggies. Some are spicy, some are mild, but all are sure to please your taste buds. Get ready to try some new favorites!

1. Pad Thai with Tamarind Sauce

Pad Thai is a classic Thai dish that’s full of flavor. You can make it at home with just a few key ingredients. The star of the show is the tangy tamarind sauce.

To make the sauce, mix tamarind paste, fish sauce, and sugar. Heat it gently until the sugar dissolves.

This creates a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and salty flavors.

For the noodles, soak rice noodles in hot water until soft. Stir-fry them with eggs, tofu, shrimp, and bean sprouts. Add the sauce and toss everything together.

Top your Pad Thai with crushed peanuts, lime wedges, and fresh cilantro. The result is a delicious meal that’s sure to impress your taste buds.

2. Vietnamese Pho with Herbs

Vietnamese pho is a warm, comforting soup that’s perfect for any time of year. It features rice noodles in a flavorful broth with tender beef and fresh herbs.

To make pho, you’ll simmer beef bones with spices like cinnamon, star anise, and cloves. This creates a rich broth that forms the base of the soup.

Cook rice noodles separately and add them to bowls. Pour the hot broth over the noodles and top with thin slices of beef. The hot broth will cook the beef to perfection.

Finish your pho with a handful of fresh herbs like basil, cilantro, and mint. These add bright flavors and aroma to the dish.

3. Spicy Malaysian Laksa

Laksa is a flavorful Malaysian soup that combines rice noodles with a spicy coconut curry broth. To make it, you’ll need laksa paste, coconut milk, and chicken stock.

Start by cooking the laksa paste in oil until fragrant. Add turmeric and chili powder for extra flavor and color.

Pour in the chicken stock and coconut milk, then simmer the mixture.

While the broth cooks, prepare your rice noodles according to the package instructions. Add prawns or chicken to the soup and cook until done.

Serve the hot broth over the noodles. Top with bean sprouts, herbs, and a squeeze of lime for a tasty meal.

4. Singaporean Stir-Fried Noodles

Singaporean stir-fried noodles are a tasty dish you can make at home. You’ll need rice noodles, veggies, and proteins like shrimp or pork.

Start by soaking the noodles in hot water until they’re soft. While they soak, chop your veggies and meat.

Heat oil in a wok or large pan. Cook garlic and ginger first. Then add your protein and stir-fry quickly.

Toss in the veggies and noodles. Add soy sauce and curry powder for flavor. Stir everything together until hot.

Your noodles are ready to serve in just minutes. Enjoy this quick and yummy meal!

5. Cold Sesame Noodles with Cucumber

Cold sesame noodles with cucumber are a refreshing dish perfect for warm days. You’ll love the mix of chewy noodles and crisp cucumbers.

The sauce is key. Mix sesame paste or peanut butter with soy sauce, vinegar, and a touch of sugar. Add sesame oil for extra flavor.

Cook your noodles, then rinse them in cold water. This stops the cooking and cools them down.

Toss the noodles with the sauce and add thin slices of cucumber.

For extra crunch and color, try adding julienned carrots or bean sprouts. A sprinkle of sesame seeds and chopped scallions on top finishes the dish nicely.

6. Thai Drunken Noodles

Thai Drunken Noodles, also known as Pad Kee Mao, is a spicy stir-fry dish. You’ll love the bold flavors and chewy rice noodles in this recipe.

To make it, you’ll need wide rice noodles, chicken, vegetables, and aromatic herbs. The sauce combines fish sauce, soy sauce, and oyster sauce for a savory kick.

Start by cooking the noodles according to the package instructions. Then, stir-fry the chicken and veggies in a hot wok or skillet.

Add the noodles and sauce, tossing everything together.

The key to great Drunken Noodles is getting some char on the noodles. Let them sit in the pan for short bursts to achieve this. Finish by adding fresh basil leaves for a burst of flavor.

7. Chinese Chow Fun with Beef

Beef chow fun is a tasty Cantonese dish made with wide rice noodles and tender beef slices. To make it, you’ll need to marinate the beef in soy sauce and cornstarch for about 30 minutes.

Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Quickly sear the marinated beef until browned, then set it aside.

Add more oil and stir-fry garlic, onions, and bean sprouts.

Next, add the soaked rice noodles to the wok. Stir-fry them with the vegetables for a couple of minutes. Return the beef to the wok and mix everything together.

The key to great chow fun is using high heat and working quickly. This keeps the noodles from getting soggy and gives the dish its signature smoky flavor.

8. Coconut Curry Rice Noodles

Coconut curry rice noodles offer a tasty mix of flavors. You can make this dish in about 15 minutes.

Start by cooking rice noodles as directed on the package.

While the noodles cook, heat oil in a pan. Add garlic, ginger, and curry paste. Cook for a few minutes until fragrant.

Pour in coconut milk and broth to create a creamy sauce.

Add veggies like bell peppers or zucchini for crunch. Let the sauce simmer and thicken slightly.

Toss in the cooked noodles and stir to coat them well.

Top with fresh herbs like basil or cilantro. A squeeze of lime adds a bright touch. Enjoy your quick and flavorful coconut curry rice noodles!

9. Rice Noodle Salad with Peanut Dressing

Rice noodle salad with peanut dressing is a tasty and refreshing dish. You can make it easily at home.

Start by cooking rice noodles according to the package instructions. Rinse them with cold water after cooking.

Mix the noodles with veggies like carrots, cucumbers, and bell peppers. Add some herbs like cilantro for extra flavor.

The peanut dressing is key. Blend peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, and a touch of honey. Pour it over your salad and toss well.

This salad is perfect for warm days. You can make it ahead and keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days.

10. Lemongrass Chicken Noodle Soup

This soup combines fragrant lemongrass with tender chicken and rice noodles. You’ll love the bright, citrusy flavor mixed with savory broth.

To make it, simmer chicken with lemongrass, ginger, and garlic in broth. Shred the cooked chicken and add it back to the pot.

Cook rice noodles separately and add them to your bowls. Pour the hot soup over the noodles.

Top with fresh herbs like cilantro or Thai basil for extra flavor.

This comforting soup is perfect for chilly days. It’s packed with protein and nourishing ingredients to keep you satisfied.

11. Garlic and Chili Rice Noodles

Garlic and chili rice noodles are a quick and tasty meal you can whip up in about 15 minutes. These noodles pack a flavorful punch with their spicy and savory sauce.

To make this dish, cook rice noodles according to package instructions. While they cook, prepare a sauce with soy sauce, black vinegar, and chili oil.

Sauté minced garlic and chili flakes in oil until fragrant. Toss the cooked noodles with the sauce and garlic-chili mixture.

Add some sesame seeds and chopped green onions for extra flavor and crunch.

You can adjust the spice level by using more or less chili oil. For added protein, try topping the noodles with a fried egg or some cooked chicken.

12. Hoisin Stir-Fried Rice Noodles

Hoisin stir-fried rice noodles offer a tasty blend of sweet and savory flavors. You’ll need rice noodles, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and your choice of protein and veggies.

Start by cooking the rice noodles according to package directions.

In a hot wok or large skillet, stir-fry your protein and vegetables until nearly done.

Add the cooked noodles to the pan. Pour a mixture of hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and a splash of water over everything.

Toss the ingredients together until the noodles are well-coated and heated through.

For extra flavor, sprinkle some chopped green onions and sesame seeds on top before serving. This quick and easy meal comes together in about 30 minutes.

13. Rice Noodle Spring Rolls

Rice noodle spring rolls are a tasty and fresh dish. You can make them at home with ease.

Start by cooking rice noodles according to the package instructions.

While the noodles cool, prepare your fillings. Common choices include shrimp, pork, fresh herbs, and vegetables. Soften rice paper wrappers in warm water.

Place a small amount of noodles and fillings on each wrapper. Roll them up tightly, tucking in the sides as you go.

Serve with a dipping sauce like peanut or sweet chili.

These rolls are perfect for warm days or as a light meal. You can customize the fillings to suit your taste.

14. Kimchi Noodle Bowl

Kimchi noodle bowls offer a tasty mix of flavors and textures. You can make this dish quickly using rice noodles and store-bought kimchi.

Start by cooking your rice noodles according to the package instructions.

While they cook, prepare a sauce using kimchi juice, soy sauce, and gochujang for extra heat.

Chop some kimchi into bite-sized pieces. Add the cooked noodles to a bowl and top with the kimchi and sauce.

You can also include extras like sliced green onions or a soft-boiled egg.

Mix everything together before eating. The combination of tangy kimchi, chewy noodles, and spicy sauce creates a satisfying meal.

15. Tofu and Broccoli Stir-Fry

This quick and tasty dish combines crispy tofu with tender broccoli in a flavorful sauce. You can whip it up in about 30 minutes for a satisfying vegetarian meal.

Start by pressing the tofu to remove excess moisture, then cut it into cubes. Coat the cubes in cornstarch for extra crispiness when cooked.

Stir-fry the tofu until golden, then set aside. Cook the broccoli until bright green and slightly tender.

Mix the two together with a savory sauce made from soy sauce, garlic, and ginger.

Serve your tofu and broccoli stir-fry over rice noodles for a complete meal. You can customize it with different vegetables or sauces to suit your taste.

Health Benefits of Rice Noodles

Rice noodles offer several nutritional advantages. They’re a good option for people with dietary restrictions and provide important nutrients.

Nutritional Profile

Rice noodles contain essential vitamins and minerals. They’re a source of manganese, which helps with bone health and wound healing.

Rice noodles also provide selenium, an antioxidant that supports your immune system.

These noodles are low in fat and sodium. A serving typically has about 190 calories, making them a lighter choice than some other pasta options.

Rice noodles offer a small amount of protein, usually 2-3 grams per serving.

They’re also rich in carbohydrates, giving you energy for your day. The carbs in rice noodles are mostly complex, which means they break down slowly and help keep you full longer.

Gluten-Free Advantage

Rice noodles are naturally gluten-free. This makes them a safe choice for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

You can enjoy your favorite noodle dishes without worrying about gluten reactions.

Many restaurants now offer rice noodle options. This allows more people to dine out safely.

At home, you can use rice noodles as a substitute in recipes that normally call for wheat pasta.

Rice noodles are versatile. You can use them in soups, stir-fries, and cold salads. Their mild flavor works well with many different sauces and ingredients.

Cooking Techniques for Perfect Rice Noodles

Rice noodles are quick to prepare and versatile. You can make them tasty and tender with the right methods.

Boiling Methods

Boiling rice noodles is easy. Put the noodles in a bowl and pour boiling water over them.

Let them soak for 5-7 minutes, stirring once halfway through. Check the texture – they should be soft but still have a slight bite.

Drain the noodles in a colander when done. Rinse them with cold water to stop the cooking process. This also removes excess starch and prevents clumping.

For thicker noodles, you may need to boil them in a pot of water for 2-3 minutes. Test a noodle to check if it’s cooked to your liking.

Stir-Frying Tips

Stir-frying gives rice noodles great flavor and texture.

Heat oil in a wok or large pan over high heat.

Add pre-soaked noodles and your chosen ingredients.

Keep the noodles moving constantly to prevent sticking.

Use tongs or chopsticks to toss them gently.

Cook for 2-3 minutes until they’re heated through and slightly crispy on the edges.

Add sauce near the end of cooking.

This helps the noodles absorb the flavors without getting mushy.

Serve your stir-fried noodles right away for the best taste and texture.