Spicy noodles are a popular dish in many Asian cultures and are typically cooked over a stove. Many easy-to-make packages of spicy noodles are available in grocery stores, and they also are usually cooked over a stove, but we don’t always have access to a stovetop. In that case, can you make spicy noodles in the microwave?
You can make spicy noodles in the microwave. Some brands offer microwaveable cups of spicy noodles. For those that don’t, packaged noodles can be made in the microwave with some tweaks to the directions.
While it’s not always easy, you can cook most pasta in the microwave. That includes spicy noodles. Keep reading below to learn more about how to make your spicy noodles microwavable.
How to Make Spicy Noodles In the Microwave
When cooking any type of pasta or noodles, one of the most important steps is to ensure they’re cooked properly. Undercooked pasta is tough and sometimes crunchy, while overcooked pasta ends up mushy sticks easily.
Noodles usually come with a recommended cooking time. However, those instructions are for stovetop cooking. Luckily, you can still make perfect noodles in the microwave by adjusting the cooking time.
The most well-known types of packaged noodles are the ones that come in packs. To make those noodles, you typically cook them on the stove and add the flavor packet. But if you don’t have a stove, that’s okay! You can still make them in the microwave.
Here’s how to make package noodles in the microwave:
- Break up the noodles. Breaking the block up into smaller chunks will help the noodles cook more evenly in the microwave. It may be easier to break up the noodle block while it’s still in the package.
- Put the noodles in a microwave-safe bowl or large cup. Add a cup (236.59 ml) of water on top or more if you’d prefer more broth.
- Microwave for one minute. Stir the noodles, then microwave for another minute. Stir again, and then microwave again for 30 seconds-1 minute.
- Remove the bowl or cup, and be careful not to burn yourself. Add the seasoning packet and stir.
Microwaving packaged noodles is really simple. It’s important to add enough water and to stir every minute or so to ensure the heat is evenly distributed and all the noodles are adequately cooked. If you can do that, you can have noodles even faster than you would on the stovetop!
It’s also important to consider anything you might be adding to your noodles. Most garnish can be microwaved, but if you’re adding extra veggies, you may want to add them after the noodles are cooked so that they remain fresh.
Alternatively, you can make your life easier by buying spicy noodles meant for the microwave.
Microwavable Spicy Noodles
Many companies sell spicy noodles that are meant to be cooked in the microwave. These options usually come in a cup or bowl. Each product will have its own instructions, but you can generally expect to add about two cups of water and microwave for several minutes.
Here are a few options you can try:
- Daebak Ghost Pepper Chicken Noodles. These noodles come in a microwavable cup—you just need to add water! They’re also extremely hot, making them the perfect choice for
spice lovers. The package claims to use ghost peppers reaching 1,000,000 on the Scoville Scale, which the scale categorizes as “Fiery Hot.” For those who want a little less of a kick, Daebak also makes other flavors with habanero peppers. - Nongshim Hot & Spicy Noodle. For an option that’s a little more of a soup-style, try this spicy Korean beef stew. The
spice is milder, and the soup contains vegetables as well. The best part is that the noodles only take a few minutes to cook in the microwave! - KinjaBang Shadow-Style Noodles. If you’re looking to elevate your packaged noodle game, this is a great option. Reviewers say the sauce definitely has a kick to it. These noodles also come with veggies like carrots, onions, and mushrooms, and the dish can be made in less than five minutes.
Homemade Spicy Noodles
Now you know that it’s pretty easy to make packaged spicy noodles in the microwave. But what if you don’t want packaged noodles?
A lot of people prefer to avoid packaged noodles for health reasons. Packaged noodles often contain high sodium, simple carbs, and a lot of added sugar. They also don’t offer much in terms of protein, vitamins, or minerals. To combat that, you can instead make noodles with healthier options.
When making your own spicy noodles in the microwave, you’ll have to choose foods that you can thoroughly cook in the microwave. This may mean buying pre-cooked protein or steam-in-a-bag vegetables.
Of course, the base of your spicy noodles dish will be the noodles. If you’re working with instant noodles, simply follow the same steps detailed above. If the noodles you’re using have a longer cooking time, follow these steps:
- Choose a microwavable bowl. The bowl needs to be big enough to hold your noodles and water while still allowing room for the water to boil.
- Put your noodles in the bowl and cover with water. There’s no set measurement for the water, but you do need to make sure the noodles are completely covered.
- Microwave the noodles for the amount of recommended time plus three minutes. For example, if the box says to cook for six minutes, microwave them for nine minutes.
- Remove the bowl and be careful not to burn yourself. Strain out the water, and you have your microwaved noodles!
Once the noodles are cooked, you need to consider what you want to add to them. For protein, you can mix in an egg without any additional microwave time, so long as the noodles are still hot. If you decide to add in chicken or beef, make sure it’s cooked beforehand. Try shredded rotisserie chicken or grilled diced chicken. You can also add in ground beef or diced steak.
While you can cook meat in the microwave, it’s not always as safe to do so as it can end up undercooked. This problem can be solved by checking the meat with a meat thermometer every so often.
For some extra vitamins and minerals, try adding vegetables to your noodles. Fresh veggies are a fine addition, but the texture may feel odd when paired with the noodles. Frozen steamable veggies are a great option to add nutrients without too much extra crunch.
Most sauces and broths can be microwaved. However, tomato-based sauces tend to splatter, so try covering the dish with a paper towel to prevent making a mess.
Conclusion
Spicy noodles are microwavable, whether they come in a microwavable cup, in a pack, or you’re making them on your own.
Microwavable cups are the easiest, but it’s not too hard to microwave packaged noodles. You may need to cook them for a little longer than usual, but the result should be the same.
You can make homemade spicy noodles in the microwave as well, so long as all ingredients are thoroughly cooked. Don’t let the lack of a stovetop hold you back from enjoying a bowl of spicy noodles!
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