Recipes

The 10 Most Popular Noodle Recipes of 2021

The recipes that our readers couldn't stop slurping all year.
Beth Nguyens Beef Stroganoff recipe
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by D’mytrek Brown

When I think of noodles, I think of pure, unadulterated comfort—something we all needed in 2021. Luckily, there was no short supply of noodle recipes for us to cook this year (even though bucatini was nowhere to be seen). From lightning-fast work-from-home lunches like Hetty McKinnon’s Peanut Butter Noodles With Cucumbers to bigger projects like this (still quick!) Instant Pot Beef Pho, we had all kinds of chewy, saucy, savory dishes noodling around our kitchens. There was the udon recipe with an unctuous tomatoey broth that got us ready for a summer of good weather and outdoor hangs, the Spicy Braised Eggplant Noodles we made with our farmers’ market hauls, the Chicken Pad See Ew we fell in love with when we couldn’t stand another night of takeout, and so much more. Whatever next year brings, we’re just glad there will be plenty of noodles to go around. Scroll all the way down to find the No. 1 recipe:

  • Image may contain Bowl Food Dish Meal Stew Curry and Soup Bowl
    Photograph by Yudi Ela, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Sophie Strangio
    3/10

    8. Udon in Buttery Tomato and Soy Broth

    You may be surprised at how quickly this broth builds flavor, with massive depth from golden onions, tomatoes, soy sauce, and just a tiny bit of butter for a silky finish.

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  • A platter of pad see ew Thai stirfried noodles with chicken and Chinese broccoli.
    Photo by Heami Lee, food styling by Judy Haubert, prop styling by Rebecca Bartoshesky
    4/10

    7. Chicken Pad See Ew

    Developer Leela Punyaratabandhu breaks down the techniques to achieving the perfect plate of this iconic Thai stir-fried noodle dish.

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  • Spicy Braised Eggplant Noodles Recipe
    Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Micah Morton, prop styling by Elizabeth Jaime
    5/10

    6. Spicy Braised Eggplant Noodles

    A weeknight noodle dish that comes together in no time thanks to a power thruple of gochujang, miso, and tomato paste.

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  • A bowl of beef pho shot from above topped with bean sprouts and Thai basil with condiments to the side.
    Photo by Heami Lee, food styling by Judy Haubert, prop styling by Rebecca Bartoshesky
    6/10

    5. Instant Pot Beef Pho

    This deeply flavored broth comes together in no time thanks to toasted spices, browned onions, ginger, beef bones—and pressure, of course.

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  • Tomato and Egg Drop Noodle Soup recipe
    Photo by Laura Murray, Food Styling by Pearl Jones
    9/10

    2. Tomato and Egg Drop Noodle Soup

    A beloved Hong Kong dish with approximately one billion variations, this soup—which relies heavily on fridge and pantry staples—is meant to be a little sweet and a touch sharp. 

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  • Beth Nguyens Beef Stroganoff recipe
    Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by D’mytrek Brown
    10/10

    1. Beef Stroganoff

    A splash of fish sauce adds instant umami in author Beth Nguyen’s take on this classic dish.

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Alma Avalle is Bon Appétit’s editorial operations associate and web producer. She is also a reporter and journalist covering drinks, food science, and all things new and nerdy for our website and magazine. Raised in New England, Bolivia, and Guatemala, she's currently based in Brooklyn, where she's also a writer, ... Read More
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