Fiery Szechuan Noodles Recipe: Ina Garten’s Spicy Gem

Noodles sizzle with a tangy kick in this incredible szechuan noodles recipe by Ina Garten that promises to ignite your taste buds.

Bold flavors dance across your plate with every twirling bite.

The vibrant combination of spices creates a symphony of heat and depth that transforms an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Each ingredient plays a crucial role in building complex layers of flavor.

The sauce coats perfectly cooked noodles, delivering a punch of umami and warmth that lingers deliciously.

Garten’s genius shines through in this balanced and approachable dish that brings restaurant-quality excitement to your home kitchen.

Grab your chopsticks and get ready to savor every remarkable mouthful.

Directions for Szechuan Noodles – Ina Garten Style

• Flavor Foundation

Combine ginger, garlic, and rich nutty ingredients in a food processor to create a complex sauce base that will transform ordinary noodles into a taste adventure.

• Sauce Harmony

Blend peanut butter, tahini, crushed peanuts, soy sauce, honey, chili oil, sesame oil, sherry vinegar, and ground peppers until smooth and intensely aromatic.

• Pasta Preparation

Boil pasta in salted water with a touch of oil, cooking until perfectly tender with a slight bite.

• Sauce Marriage

Transfer hot pasta to a large bowl and generously coat with most of the prepared sauce, ensuring every strand is beautifully dressed.

• Colorful Finish

Fold in scallions and vibrant bell peppers, creating a stunning visual and textural contrast that makes the dish pop.

• Serving Suggestion

Enjoy immediately while warm or let cool to room temperature, keeping extra sauce nearby to refresh the noodles if needed.

Tips & Additions for Szechuan Noodles

• Experiment with different types of noodles like udon, rice noodles, or whole wheat spaghetti to add unique textures and nutritional variety.
• Adjust the chili oil quantity to control spiciness, perfect for those who prefer mild or fiery flavors. Start with a small amount and gradually increase to suit your taste.
• Elevate the dish by adding grilled chicken, shrimp, tofu, or edamame for extra protein and a complete meal. Mix in your favorite protein right before serving.
• Swap or add seasonal vegetables like julienned carrots, snap peas, or roasted eggplant to create a more colorful and nutritious dish. Chop vegetables into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.
• Prepare the sauce up to 3 days in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The flavors will intensify, making the dish even more delicious when you're ready to serve.

How to Serve Spicy Szechuan Noodles from Ina

• Elevate with Garnish: Sprinkle fresh chopped scallions, crushed peanuts, and red pepper flakes on top for extra crunch and visual appeal.
• Create a Balanced Meal: Pair the noodles with steamed edamame or a light cucumber salad to add freshness and balance the rich, spicy sauce.
• Customize Heat Levels: Offer additional chili oil or sriracha on the side, allowing guests to adjust the spiciness according to their preference.
• Serve in Style: Present the noodles in a large, colorful ceramic bowl to highlight the vibrant peppers and create an inviting dining experience.

Save and Store Ina Garten’s Noodles

• Advance Prep: Mix sauce ingredients up to 3 days ahead and refrigerate in an airtight container for quick meal assembly.
• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover noodles in sealed containers for 2-3 days, keeping remaining sauce separately to maintain texture and freshness.
• Revive Noodles: Gently reheat in microwave or skillet, adding a splash of sesame oil to restore moisture and prevent drying out.
• Freeze Smartly: Sauce can be frozen for up to 1 month in freezer-safe containers, allowing flexible meal planning for busy weeks.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 640 kcal

Servings: 6

Ingredients for Szechuan Noodles by Ina Garten

• Ginger: Adds sharp, zinging warmth and aromatic depth to the sauce, selecting fresh roots with smooth, taut skin..
• Garlic: Provides intense, pungent flavor that anchors the sauce's bold character, choosing firm bulbs without sprouts..
• Peanut Butter: Creates creamy richness and nutty undertones, opting for natural, unsweetened varieties..
• Tahini: Introduces subtle sesame complexity and silky texture, picking jars with smooth, well-blended consistency..

• Peanuts: Delivers delightful crunch and robust nuttiness, selecting roasted, unsalted kernels for maximum control..
• Soy Sauce: Contributes salty, umami depth, choosing low-sodium options for balanced seasoning..
• Honey: Balances heat with gentle sweetness, selecting raw, unprocessed varieties for deeper flavor..
• Chili Oil: Ignites spicy excitement, picking artisan brands with authentic Szechuan pepper notes..
• Sesame Oil: Adds distinctive toasted aroma, choosing dark, cold-pressed versions for authentic taste..

• Sherry Vinegar: Introduces tangy brightness, selecting high-quality Spanish aged varieties..
• Ground Peppers: Elevates heat and complexity, mixing different pepper types for layered warmth..
• Spaghetti: Provides hearty pasta base, choosing high-quality semolina wheat options..
• Scallions: Offers fresh, sharp green accent, selecting crisp, bright green stalks..
• Red Bell Pepper: Adds sweet crunch and vibrant color, picking.

Cooking Tools for Ina’s Spicy Noodle Dish

• Food Processor: Essential for blending sauce ingredients smoothly and quickly.
• Large Pot: Needed for boiling pasta with salted water.
• Steel Blade: Attachment for food processor to chop and mix ingredients.
• Colander: Used to drain pasta after cooking.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining pasta, sauce, and vegetables.
• Cutting Board: For chopping scallions and bell peppers.
• Sharp Knife: To slice vegetables precisely.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurate ingredient measurements.

Spicy Ina Garten Szechuan Noodles Recipe

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4.8 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s szechuan noodles bring spicy, tangy flavors from Chinese cuisine to home kitchens. Sesame, soy, and chili combine for a quick, satisfying meal you can master with simple ingredients and minimal preparation.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) spaghetti
• ½ cup (120 ml) smooth peanut butter
• ½ cup (120 ml) tahini
• ½ cup (120 ml) soy sauce
• ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
• ¼ cup (60 ml) dry sherry
• ¼ cup (60 ml) sherry vinegar
• ¼ cup (60 ml) honey
• ¼ cup (60 ml) ginger, peeled and chopped
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) dark sesame oil
• 6 garlic cloves, chopped
• 4 scallions, sliced diagonally (white and green parts)
• 1 red bell pepper, julienned
• 1 yellow bell pepper, julienned
• ½ tsp (2.5 ml) hot chili oil
• ½ tsp (2.5 ml) freshly ground black pepper
• 1/8 tsp (0.6 ml) ground cayenne pepper

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Instructions

1. Sauce Preparation: Pulverize ginger and garlic in a food processor until finely minced, then incorporate peanut butter, tahini, roasted peanuts, soy sauce, honey, chili oil, sesame oil, sherry vinegar, and black and white peppers until a silky, harmonious sauce emerges.
2. Pasta Cooking: Bring salted water with vegetable oil to a vigorous boil, immerse spaghetti, and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring intermittently, until achieving the perfect al dente consistency.
3. Noodle Dressing: Transfer drained pasta to a spacious bowl, drench with roughly 3/4 of the prepared sauce, gently tossing to ensure comprehensive coating.
4. Vegetable Incorporation: Slice scallions and dice bell peppers into uniform pieces, then disperse across the sauced noodles, blending thoroughly.
5. Serving: Present the dish warm or at ambient temperature, accompanying the remaining sauce for those craving additional flavor intensity.

Notes

• Prep Ahead: Chop vegetables and make sauce up to 2 days in advance, storing separately in airtight containers to maintain freshness and save time.
• Perfect Sauce Balance: Taste and adjust sauce ingredients incrementally, ensuring a harmonious blend of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors before coating noodles.
• Pasta Texture Tip: Cook spaghetti precisely 8-10 minutes for ideal al dente consistency, preventing mushy or overly firm noodles.
• Garnish Brilliance: Top with extra roasted peanuts, sesame seeds, or fresh cilantro for added crunch and vibrant presentation.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 640
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 68 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 16 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg