Asian Spaghetti

Asian spaghetti may sound like a contradiction, but it’s not as odd as you might think. Many Asian cultures make heavy use of thin noodles made from wheat, rice and other grains. In the Western world, Italy’s pasta culture has its share of similar noodles, and they work just as well in this kind of meal. Angel hair pasta is the one this recipe calls for, not actually spaghetti, but the principle is the same.

The big detail here is that the entire dish comes together in just 20 minutes (maybe even a bit less, depending on your brand of noodles). That’s faster than takeout, and a lot easier on your budget as well.

Ingredients for Asian Spaghetti

• Angel hair pasta: Angel hair pasta is the thinnest Western pasta shape, so it’s perfect in this Asian-inspired dish.
• Mushrooms: Mushrooms add a pleasing texture and savory umami flavor to dishes like this one.
• Snow peas: The sweet, delicate crunch of snow peas makes them a signature ingredient in many Asian dishes.
• Carrots: Shredded carrots add sweetness and crunch to a stir-fry.
• Green onions: Bite-sized pieces of green onion add both a mild onion flavor and an eye-pleasing pop of color to the finished dish.
• Garlic: Garlic brings a pungent, savory flavor that complements both the vegetables and the sauce.
• Soy sauce: Soy sauce brings umami and a hint of Asian identity to any dish.
• Sugar: The modest amount of sugar in this dish helps bring out the sweetness in the vegetables and balances the saltiness in the soy sauce.
• Cayenne pepper: A pinch of cayenne lends just a bit of chili heat to the finished Asian spaghetti recipe.
• Sesame seeds: Toasted sesame seeds are a common garnish across many cultures, bringing a deep, nutty flavor and mild crunch.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the pasta

Cook the pasta according to the package directions.

Step 2: Cook the veggies

While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet to medium-high, and saute the mushrooms, snow peas, carrots and onions in the oil until they’re just crisp-tender. Add the garlic, and cook one minute longer.

Step 3: Make the sauce

In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, sugar and cayenne pepper.

Step 4: Assemble the dish

Drain the pasta. Add the pasta and the soy sauce mixture to your skillet, and toss until the vegetables and pasta are well coated and heated through. Before serving, garnish with the sesame seeds.

Asian Spaghetti Variations

• Add a protein: This recipe makes a light vegetarian meal, but you can add a protein of your choice to make it more filling. If you’d like to keep it meatless, the obvious choices include tofu, tempeh or a plant-based meat substitute. If staying vegetarian or vegan isn’t an issue, protein options include eggs, fish, beef, pork or poultry. You can either cut them into strips and add them to the stir-fry portion of the meal, or cook them separately and serve them on top of the noodles.
• Tweak the vegetables: Snow peas, mushrooms and carrots are all appropriate vegetable options, but there are lots of others. Sweet bell peppers, celery, daikon, pak choi and Napa cabbage are all equally good. Use whichever combination appeals to you, or whatever’s fresh at the farmers market or in your garden.
• Change up the sauce: Although this recipe tastes good just as it is, you might find yourself wanting it to have more of an actual sauce to add flavor and moisture. You could choose a popular bottled Asian sauce like hoisin, or browse our other stir-fry recipes and crib the sauce from one of those.

How to Store Asian Spaghetti

Any leftovers should be transferred to a food-safe storage container with an airtight lid and refrigerated as soon as possible.

Can I make Asian spaghetti ahead of time?

The finished dish is best when it’s first made, but you can certainly cook it ahead of time and reheat it as needed. Another option is to make and sauce the vegetables but keep the noodles separate, then reheat them together at mealtime. Realistically, when a dish takes just 20 minutes from start to finish, there’s little incentive to prep it in advance.

How long will Asian spaghetti keep?

The base recipe should last four to five days in your refrigerator. If you’ve added other ingredients like meat or seafood, shorten that to three to four days for meat, or one to two days for seafood.

Asian Spaghetti Tips

I don’t have angel hair, will vermicelli work?

Absolutely. A long, thin noodle is what you want for a recipe like this. If you happen to have some actual Asian noodles, of course they’re a good substitute as well. In a pinch, even the noodles from a package of ramen (without the seasoning pack) would work.

Wouldn’t a wok be better than a skillet?

If you have a wok and want to use it, that’s fine. A skillet works well, but the bowl shape of a wok means you may be able to get by with a bit less oil.

What other toppings or add-ins can you suggest?

Oh, there are lots. If you stick with sesame seeds, a light drizzle of toasted sesame oil will reinforce that flavor. Alternatively, you could swap out the sesame for crushed peanuts or slivered almonds, which also work great in this kind of dish. Fresh or dried chiles are a good addition, and so are chili crisp or your favorite hot sauce. Halved soft- or hard-boiled eggs make an eye-pleasing garnish. Aside from those, chopped fresh herbs such as cilantro or Thai basil can lend a lot of flavor and color.