# Only 15 Minutes and 8 Ingredients Needed for These Extra Tasty Garlicky Spicy Noodles
These garlicky spicy noodles are a fast and tasty dish that can be whipped up in just 15 minutes using only eight ingredients. They are rich in sauce, spicy, a tad sweet, and full of umami goodness. Ideal for a quick meal, these noodles are also vegan and nutritious, providing a flexible choice for any event. You can effortlessly incorporate additional protein and vegetables to create a heartier dish.
## Ingredients
1. **Wide Noodles**: Use knife-cut Chinese shanxi planed ribbon noodles or any wide noodles you have on hand.
2. **Neutral Oil**: This is required to sauté the garlic and brown the red pepper flakes.
3. **Garlic**: Six cloves deliver a strong flavor. Modify according to your taste.
4. **Red Pepper Flakes**: One teaspoon supplies the perfect amount of heat; modify to your spice preference.
5. **Soy Sauce**: Contributes umami and saltiness to the meal.
6. **Gochujang**: A Korean spicy condiment that infuses depth and sweetness.
7. **Brown Sugar**: A hint of brown sugar boosts the savory and spicy flavors.
## How to Prepare Spicy Noodles
1. **Cook the Noodles**: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and prepare the noodles as per the package instructions.
2. **Prepare the Sauce**: While the noodles are boiling, heat the oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, stirring until aromatic. Incorporate soy sauce, gochujang, and brown sugar.
3. **Combine**: Toss the cooked noodles into the skillet and mix until they are shiny and well-coated. If necessary, loosen with a little noodle water.
4. **Serve**: Serve hot and relish your delightful garlicky spicy noodles!
## Customization Choices
These spicy noodles offer extensive customization. You can replace gochujang with your preferred chili sauce, like sriracha or sambal oelek, based on your flavor preferences. Tweak the quantity of red pepper flakes to manage the spiciness.
### Tips for Managing Spice Level
– **Less Spicy**: Decrease the quantity of red pepper flakes or leave out gochujang.
– **More Spicy**: Boost the chili flakes and gochujang. Opt for fresh chili flakes for additional heat.
## What is Gochujang?
Gochujang is a thick, spicy Korean paste crafted from chili powder and sticky rice. It brings a distinctive sweet and spicy flavor to dishes and is typically available in most supermarkets.
## Serving Recommendations
These noodles complement a range of proteins and vegetables. Consider adding:
– Tofu
– Stir-fried veggies
– Grilled chicken or shrimp
## Noodle Varieties
You can utilize different types of noodles for this dish, including:
– Instant ramen (without the seasoning packet)
– Thin rice noodles
– Chinese egg noodles
– Udon
– Pasta
## Gluten-Free Alternatives
For gluten-free noodles, wide rice noodles serve as an excellent substitute.
## Cooking Wide Rice Noodles
1. Boil a large pot of water until it bubbles vigorously.
2. Add the noodles and prepare according to the package instructions.
3. Drain and rinse with cold water to avoid sticking.
4. Incorporate immediately into the spicy sauce.
## Conclusion
These garlicky spicy noodles are a speedy, flavorful, and adaptable dish that can easily be tailored to fit your palate. Enjoy playing with various ingredients and spice levels to make this dish uniquely yours!