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Sesame Noodles with Napa Cabbage

July 21, 2020 By msmart 3 Comments

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Sesame Noodles with Napa Cabbage

Sesame Noodles with Napa Cabbage

Chock full of vegetables and packed with flavor, sesame noodles are your new favorite meatless dinner. Adjust the heat by increasing or decreasing the red pepper flakes. Make this gluten-free or soy-free by using gluten-free noodles and coconut aminos. Sesame noodles with Napa cabbage are a five star recipe in my house, meaning all five family members love them.

When you cut the Napa cabbage, shred the carrots and julienne the red pepper, you’ll realize just how many veggies are hiding in these sesame noodles. I add the veggies to a large colander and drain the noddles directly over the top. They’ll soften just enough to still add crunch and texture to the finished dish.

I’ve made this recipe with udon noodles, soba noodles, gluten-free rice noodles, linguine and buckwheat noodles. Choose your own adventure! I most often use dried udon noodles and love how their texture stands up to the vegetables.

Sesame Noodles with Napa Cabbage

What are udon noodles?

Udon are Japanese wheat-based noodles, usually found in broth-based soups. Similar to soba noodles, but a little thinner. They have a slightly chewy texture. You can also find fresh udon noodles at most Asian markets. Cook them just like you cook regular pasta noodles, in well-salted boiling water.


Can you substitute gluten-free noodles

Absolutely, make this with gluten-free rice noodles or buckwheat noodles. Or try it with your favorite gluten-free linguine.

Can you omit the sugar?

Yes. I’ve been skipping the sugar on the regular. It does balance the heat of the red pepper flakes, but leave it out entirely if you’re trying to cut down on sugar.

How can I make this soy-free?

Use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce or tamari!

Bowl of Sesame Noodles with Napa Cabbage

Can you eat this cold?

You must! It’s the best leftover lunch. One of the best things about making this recipe is having the leftovers tucked away in your fridge.

Wok with Sesame Noodles

Here’s a quick video I made with Memorial Hermann Health Systems that shows how easy it is to make sesame noodles with Napa cabbage. We featured it as one of the recipes in their award-winning Resolution Challenge.

This week, I’m teaching this recipe to the Founding Members in my membership group. If you’d like to be notified when the doors open for more members this September, sign up for the waitlist! Smart in the Kitchen School is my new teaching website where I’ll share monthly lessons, knife skills and kitchen tips! Hope you’ll join me there!

Sesame Noodles with Napa Cabbage

Looking for more meatless recipes?

Cauliflower Gnocchi with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

Spring Detox Soup

Vegetarian Three Bean Chili

Green Gazpacho

Quick Vegetable Stir Fry

Use the pin below to save this recipe and share the love! Thanks friends!!

Sesame Noodles Pin
Sesame Noodles with Cabbage, Carrots and Red Peppers make for an easy and delicious dinner.
Print Recipe

Sesame Noodles with Napa Cabbage

Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • Kosher salt
  • 5 tablespoons soy sauce, tamari or coconut aminos
  • 3 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar (dark or light) or coconut sugar
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1/4 cup avocado oil, grapeseed or other neutral oil
  • 5 teaspoons sesame seeds, black or white
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 10 scallions, sliced thin
  • 1 head Napa cabbage, halved lengthwise and sliced very thin
  • 3 carrots, grated
  • 1 red pepper, julienned
  • 10 ounces udon noodles

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. 
  • In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and sesame oil.
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the oil. Add the sesame seeds and red pepper flakes. Cook until the pepper flakes become fragrant and the seeds start to brown, about 3 to 5 minutes. Take the skillet off the heat and stir in the scallions and the soy sauce mixture.
  • Place the sliced vegetables in a colander in the sink.
  • Cook the noodles until al dente by following the package instructions. Once the noodles are done cooking, drain them over the vegetables in the colander.
  • Heat the sauce in the skillet up to a simmer. Add the noodles and vegetables back to the skillet and stir well to combine.

Notes

Adapted from https://alexandracooks.com/2019/01/18/lightning-fast-sichuan-noodles-with-chilies-and-scallions/.

Filed Under: All Recipes, Dairy-Free, Dinner, Gluten-free/Gluten-free adaptable, Meatless Mains, One-Pot Meals Tagged With: dinner recipes, Meatless Mains, meatless monday, sesame noodles, sesame noodles with cabbage, sesame noodles with Napa cabbage, Sesame Noodles with Veggies, Udon Noodles

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Comments

  1. Angela

    August 1, 2020 at 1:12 pm

    Marcia, would you share the brand of noodles you use in this dish, please? Thanks!

    Reply
    • msmart

      August 1, 2020 at 3:33 pm

      Hi Angela! Here’s a link to the brand I use: https://amzn.to/2Xlv3ei. It’s Hakubaku Organic Udon Noodles. Should have included that!!

      Reply

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Marcia Smart
Marcia Smart is a cooking instructor, recipe developer and food writer who wants to help you make good, simple meals for your family and friends. She craves food that's seasonal and delicious and wants to share it with you. A California girl living in a Houston world with her husband and three children.

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