Quick and easy noodle recipes for when dinner has accidentally become an afterthought

This delicious recipe is a great example of how a simple blend of sauces can infuse noodles with complex flavours.

Recipe: Quick Thai drunken doodles

One of Szechuan province’s most famous exports and typically face-numbingly spicy. Our peanut butter version certainly has a kick, but it won’t set your mouth on fire (you can always add more chilli oil!).

Recipe: Peanut butter dan dan noodles

This vegetarian meal is packed with rich umami depth. Store the rest of the miso in the fridge and add to stocks, stews and soups for an instant hit of flavour.

Recipe: Miso aubergine noodles recipe

All the flavours of your favourite Chinese takeaway, in an easy noodle dish. Using ready-made duck confit is a handy shortcut, making it a perfect midweek meal option.

Recipe: Crispy duck noodles

You can use any packet of instant ramen noodles here, looking out for supermarket own brands as they are usually cheaper. If you have it in the cupboard, add 1 teaspoon sesame oil to the dressing for an extra boost of flavour.

Recipe: Packet noodles with smacked cucumber

Different variations of this classic dish span almost all of East Asia, from South Korea, China and Thailand, all the way down to Singapore.

Recipe: Glass noodle stir-fry

You could also use shredded roast beef or chicken here. If you don’t have fresh sprouts, use leftover and fry alongside the meat.

Recipe: Turkey Sichuan noodles

Gochujang paste has a complex sweet, savoury and spicy flavour, making it an ideal base for a simple stir-fry.

Recipe: Crispy tofu noodle

You can mix up the vegetables in these speedy parcels to suit your preference, and what you have to hand. If you’re not a fan of pak choi, thinly sliced pepper or a handful of spinach would work well too.

Recipe: Salmon and noodle parcels

If you can’t get hold of ramen noodles, you could use medium dried egg noodles instead. For a veggie version, swap the steak for cubes of fried tofu or a halved fudgy boiled egg.

Recipe: Peanut butter steak ramen

Using mayonnaise to stick the breadcrumbs to the chicken saves egg wastage, and imparts seasoning as well. Different brands of noodles absorb liquid differently, so you might need a touch more stock to make it soupy.

Recipe: Chicken katsu noodle soup recipe