Craving a quick, flavorful meal that's ready in minutes?
Get ready to twirl your fork into a bowl of irresistible peanut sauce noodles!
We're about to unlock the secrets to creating this restaurant-worthy dish in your own kitchen, with a few simple tricks to elevate the flavor to unforgettable levels.
Ingredients
Let's gather everything you need to whip up a batch of this creamy Mac and Cheese, and trust me, it's simpler than trying to solve a Rubik's Cube! First, get 50g of butter—that's about 3 1/2 tablespoons, 'cause who has time for exact measurements?!
Next, you'll need 3 tablespoons of flour, 2 cups of milk (full fat makes it richer, but low fat's fine!), and 2 1/2 cups of water! Now, grab 250g of elbow macaroni—uncooked, of course!
Cheese time! Get 3/4 cup of shredded mozzarella for that amazing melt and 1 1/2 cups of cheddar, Colby, or Gruyere for flavor! Don't forget salt and pepper to taste!
Optional, but awesome: 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, and 1/2 tsp mustard powder. It's gonna be great!
Instructions
I'm ready to get into the nitty-gritty of cooking up this awesome Mac and Cheese, so let's start by melting 50 g (that's 3 1/2 tablespoons) of butter in a medium pot or large saucepan over medium heat to start our cheesy adventure! Stir in 3 tablespoons of flour and cook it for one minute.
Next, I'm adding about 3/4 cup of milk – it will become a slurry pretty quickly. Don't worry about it too much! Now, pour in the rest of the milk and mix so the slurry mixes in well, and then add 2 1/2 cups of water and your seasonings, if you're using them!
Add the macaroni and mix. It's time to stir occasionally as it comes to heat. When you see wisps of steam as you stir, lower the heat to medium low.
Stir regularly, guys, for 9 – 10 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and the macaroni is just cooked – it should still be saucey! Now, take it off the stove and stir in all that glorious cheese. It's cheddar time!! Just adjust salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately!
Recipe Notes
Before we wind up, you might be wondering about something important – cheese choices and other helpful tips for a successful Mac and Cheese experience. I like to use a mix of mozzarella – it melts so well – and cheddar for flavor. But you can skip the mozzarella if you want. Don't use just mozzarella though, it's not flavorful enough!
Other options? Gruyere, Colby, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, and Provolone work instead of cheddar. If you're in Australia, don't use Tasty Cheese! Some brands can make the sauce a bit floury, and we don't want that. If you feel like trying something new, you could also use ricotta – it would be similar in texture to homemade gnocchi.
Remember, pasta keeps cooking after you take it off the stove. Get it off while it's still teeny bit firm! The sauce thickens—a lot—after you stir in the cheese. Better too early than too late.
Too thick? Add a splash of milk! Too early? Pop it back on the stove—easy fix! I also add a pinch of salt as usually cheese is salty enough!
Nutrition Information
We're looking at approximately 472 calories — not bad for a comforting meal! And get this:
- Carbs clock in around 46.3g — fuel for your awesome adventures!
- Protein punches in at 19.9g — muscle power!
- Fats are about 22.9g — healthy stuff, mostly!
- Sodium's at 343mg – that's why it's so tasty!
Now, these are just estimates! They can wiggle around a bit depending on the exact ingredients you toss in. Feel free to customize your stir-fry with various vegetables, taking inspiration from dishes like beef fried rice. But hey, it's a good starting point, right? Enjoy your noodles — guilt-free (mostly)!
Short Recipe Version
Stir Fried Peanut Sauce Noodles
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 2
Ingredients:
- 8 oz Noodles (e.g., spaghetti, ramen, or rice noodles)
- 1/4 cup Peanut butter
- 2 tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp Honey or maple syrup
- 1 tbsp Sesame oil
- 1 clove Garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp Ginger, minced
- 1-2 tbsp Sriracha (optional)
- 1/4 cup Water
- 1/2 cup Vegetables (e.g., bell peppers, carrots, broccoli)
- 2 tbsp chopped Peanuts (for garnish)
- 1 Green onion, chopped(for garnish)
Instructions:
- Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- In a bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, Sriracha (if using), and water until smooth.
- Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add vegetables and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp.
- Add cooked noodles to the skillet. Pour peanut sauce over noodles and vegetables. Toss to coat evenly.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until heated through.
- Garnish with chopped peanuts and green onions. Serve immediately.
Nutrition (per serving, estimated):
- Calories: 600-700
- Protein: 20-25g
- Fat: 30-35g
- Carbohydrates: 70-80g