If you love quick dinners that don’t skimp on flavor, this One-Pot Teriyaki Noodles Recipe is about to become your new best friend. Imagine tender noodles coated in a perfectly balanced teriyaki sauce, with shredded cabbage and carrots bringing just the right crunch and sweetness—all cooked effortlessly in a single pot. It’s comfort food made simple, vibrant, and absolutely satisfying. Whether you’re whipping it up on a busy weeknight or craving something cozy and tasty, this recipe hits the spot every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this One-Pot Teriyaki Noodles Recipe plays a star role, blending savory, sweet, and fresh notes while giving you pleasing textures and beautiful colors. These essentials come together easily but truly elevate the dish to something special.
- ½ green cabbage, shredded: Adds a crisp, slightly sweet bite that balances the richness of the sauce.
- 2 carrots, shredded: Brings a touch of natural sweetness and vibrant color to the noodles.
- 1 teaspoon olive oil: Perfect for sautéing the veggies without overpowering the flavors.
- â…” cup soy sauce: The salty, umami foundation of the teriyaki sauce, giving depth and character.
- ½ cup brown sugar: Sweetens the sauce naturally and helps create that luscious caramelized glaze.
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard: Adds a subtle warm kick that enhances the savory notes.
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger: Gives a gentle spicy zing that’s classic in teriyaki flavors.
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder: Infuses a mellow garlic aroma perfect for this noodle dish.
- 16oz spaghetti (1 pound box): The hearty noodle base that absorbs the sauce beautifully.
- 3 ½ cups water: Needed for cooking the noodles and blending the sauce in one pot.
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds: Adds a subtle nutty crunch and a lovely finish to the dish.
How to Make One-Pot Teriyaki Noodles Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables
Start by heating a large pot over medium-high heat and adding the olive oil. Once the oil shimmers, toss in your shredded cabbage and carrots. Sauté them for about 5 minutes until they soften just slightly but still hold some crunch, which brings wonderful texture to the dish. This step is crucial for layering flavor right at the beginning.
Step 2: Add the Sauce Ingredients and Noodles
Next, stir in the soy sauce, brown sugar, ground mustard, ground ginger, and garlic powder, mixing everything evenly so the veggies soak up that savory-sweet blend. Then add the spaghetti directly to the pot; breaking it in half is OK if you want easier handling. Pour in 3 ½ cups of water, which will cook the noodles and dilute the sauce to the perfect consistency.
Step 3: Cook the Noodles
Allow this to cook uncovered for 15 to 18 minutes. When the noodles begin to soften and bend, start giving the pot a good stir every few minutes. Toward the end, stir more frequently to keep the noodles from sticking to the bottom. This part is key to a smooth, clingy sauce coating those tender noodles without burning or clumping.
Step 4: Finish with Sesame Seeds
Once your spaghetti is tender and the sauce has thickened nicely, remove the pot from heat. Sprinkle in the sesame seeds and give everything a final toss. The sesame seeds bring not just a touch of crunch but also that toasty, nutty essence that perfectly complements the teriyaki flavors. Serve up right away for the freshest taste and best texture.
How to Serve One-Pot Teriyaki Noodles Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your dish visually and flavor-wise, sprinkle extra sesame seeds on top and toss on some thinly sliced green onions. These bright garnishes add a fresh bite and pop of color that make each forkful look and taste irresistible.
Side Dishes
This recipe shines on its own but pairs beautifully with sides like steamed edamame, a crisp cucumber salad, or some simple pan-fried dumplings. These choices add contrasting textures and keep your meal balanced and exciting.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve this One-Pot Teriyaki Noodles Recipe in individual bowls topped with a soft boiled egg or some crunchy roasted peanuts for extra protein and texture. Another idea is to wrap the noodles in large lettuce leaves for a light, hand-held meal perfect for entertaining.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover noodles in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors meld beautifully overnight, and reheating is simple.
Freezing
This dish isn’t the best candidate for freezing because the noodles may get too soft and mushy when thawed. If you do freeze, try to consume within a month and reheat gently to retain texture.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water to loosen the sauce. Stir frequently to heat through evenly without drying out the noodles. Microwave reheating works too—just cover and add a few drops of water before warming.
FAQs
Can I use different noodles for this One-Pot Teriyaki Noodles Recipe?
Absolutely! While spaghetti works perfectly, you can swap in linguine, udon, or even rice noodles. Just adjust the cooking time slightly to suit the noodle’s requirements.
Is this recipe vegetarian or vegan?
Yes, the recipe is naturally vegan as written since it uses soy sauce and no animal products. Just be sure your soy sauce is vegan-friendly.
Can I add protein to the noodles?
Definitely! Add cooked chicken, tofu, shrimp, or beef either during cooking or as a topping for a heartier meal. Just be mindful of cooking times and moisture balance in the pot.
What can I substitute for brown sugar?
If you don’t have brown sugar on hand, white sugar or honey can work as substitutes. Honey will add a slightly different sweetness so start with less and adjust to taste.
Why is it important to stir the noodles often during cooking?
Frequent stirring prevents the noodles from sticking and clumping together at the bottom of the pot, ensuring even cooking and a silky sauce coating every strand.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly comforting about a meal made in one pot, and this One-Pot Teriyaki Noodles Recipe is a shining example. It’s fast, tasty, and full of personality—everything you want in a weeknight dinner or a dish to impress without stress. I can’t wait for you to try it and add your own touches to make it a regular favorite!
Print
One-Pot Teriyaki Noodles Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This One-Pot Teriyaki Noodles recipe is a quick and flavorful meal combining shredded cabbage, carrots, and tender spaghetti noodles simmered in a sweet and savory teriyaki-inspired sauce. It’s a simple, comforting dish perfect for a busy weeknight or casual dinner, featuring a balance of tender vegetables and a rich soy and brown sugar glaze, topped with nutty sesame seeds for added texture.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- ½ green cabbage, shredded
- 2 carrots, shredded
Sauce & Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- â…” cup soy sauce
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground mustard
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (plus extra for garnish)
Pasta & Liquids
- 16 oz spaghetti (1 pound box)
- 3 ½ cups water
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the olive oil, shredded cabbage, and shredded carrots. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften and become tender.
- Add Sauce and Pasta: Add the soy sauce, brown sugar, ground mustard, ground ginger, and garlic powder to the pot. Stir well to combine. Add the spaghetti noodles to the pot, breaking them in half for easier cooking if desired. Then pour in 3 ½ cups of water.
- Cook Noodles: Cook uncovered for 15-18 minutes. As the noodles begin to soften and become bendable, stir the pot every few minutes to prevent sticking, increasing stirring frequency towards the end of cooking to ensure even cooking and no sticking on the bottom.
- Finish and Serve: Once the noodles are cooked through and tender, remove the pot from heat. Toss the sesame seeds into the noodles and mix well. Serve immediately, garnished with additional sesame seeds and optionally chopped green onions for extra flavor and color.
Notes
- Breaking the spaghetti in half helps it fit better in the pot and cook evenly.
- Stirring frequently towards the end of cooking prevents noodles from sticking and burning.
- Feel free to add green onions or toasted sesame oil for extra flavor when serving.
- This dish works well as a vegetarian meal; to make it vegan, ensure the soy sauce used is vegan-friendly.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.
