There’s something so comforting about a dish that comes together in a flash yet delivers big on flavor—that’s exactly what I love about this Quick Scallion Noodles with Broccoli Recipe. The nutty, garlicky aroma and tender broccoli make it a speedy weeknight favorite you’ll want to keep on your regular rotation.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Quick Scallion Noodles with Broccoli Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Quick Scallion Noodles with Broccoli Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Quick Scallion Noodles with Broccoli Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I can’t tell you how often I come back to this Quick Scallion Noodles with Broccoli Recipe on busy weeknights. It’s just that good — simple ingredients coming together with minimal fuss but maximum satisfaction. Plus, it’s easily customizable, so you can make it exactly how you like.
- Quick and Easy: You’ll have a warm, satisfying dinner on the table in under 25 minutes, perfect for busy evenings.
- Flavor-packed: The garlic, ginger, and scallion butter sauce delivers so much punch with very little effort.
- Versatile & Healthy: Broccoli adds a fresh crunch and nutrition boost, and you can easily add proteins like edamame or eggs.
- Minimal Ingredients: You likely have most of these in your kitchen already, making it perfect for using staples wisely.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This recipe shines because of its simple, straightforward ingredients that harmonize beautifully. Each one plays a key role, from the fragrant garlic butter sauce to the crisp-tender broccoli that brings texture and color. When shopping, picking fresh scallions and good-quality soy sauce really makes a difference.
- Ramen or Pad Thai noodles: I often swap depending on what I have; ramen cooks quickly and holds sauce nicely, while rice noodles add a different texture.
- Neutral cooking oil: Something with a high smoke point like canola or vegetable oil works best to sauté without overpowering flavors.
- Broccoli florets: Choose fresh, bright green florets for the best crunch and sweetness - shiitake mushrooms are a tasty swap if you like.
- Unsalted butter: This adds richness and helps the aromatics bloom beautifully; salted butter can be too salty combined with soy sauce.
- Green onions (scallions): The star ingredient that gives a fresh, slightly sharp onion flavor; slice thinly so it cooks gently.
- Garlic cloves: Fresh garlic adds a punch of flavor that’s essential for the sauce's depth.
- Fresh ginger: Grated ginger brings a bright warmth and joins garlic perfectly.
- Chili flakes: Adjust to your preferred spice level; I like a little heat to balance the richness.
- Low-sodium soy sauce or tamari: Crucial to avoid oversalting, this adds umami and depth.
- Shelled edamame (optional): A great way to boost protein and make the dish more filling.
- Toasted sesame seeds or sesame oil: For that nutty, toasty finish that ties everything together.
- Fried or soft-boiled eggs (optional): I love how eggs add creaminess and make this feel like a complete meal.
- Chili oil (optional): A drizzle transforms the dish with vibrant heat and color.
Make It Your Way
This recipe is super flexible, which is one reason I adore it. I often tweak the spice level or add a protein like shrimp or tofu. Feel free to play with what you add or swap to suit your own tastes or what's in your fridge.
- Variation: When I want it extra hearty, I toss in shelled edamame or cubes of crispy tofu—both soak up the sauce well and add great texture.
- Gluten-free: I’ve used rice noodles (like Pad Thai noodles) instead of ramen with excellent results.
- More veggies: Feel free to mix in peppers, snap peas, or bok choy for extra crunch and nutrients.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Quick Scallion Noodles with Broccoli Recipe
Step 1: Boil the Noodles Until Just Tender
Start by bringing a big pot of salted water to a boil. Toss in your noodles and cook them just until tender—about 3 to 4 minutes, depending on the package. Don’t overcook! You want them soft but still holding a bit of bite. Drain and set aside while you prep the veggies and sauce.
Step 2: Sauté Broccoli to Crisp-Tender Perfection
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add broccoli florets and sauté until they turn bright green and are crisp-tender, usually about 5 to 6 minutes. The goal here is to keep some crunch while softening them slightly. Then scoop broccoli out into a bowl to rest.
Step 3: Build the Aromatic Garlic Butter Sauce
Lower the heat to medium and add the butter along with the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the same pan. Toss in two-thirds of the sliced green onions, garlic, ginger, and chili flakes. Let everything cook gently for about 3 minutes until fragrant and softened—trust me, this smell will make your mouth water.
Step 4: Combine Noodles, Broccoli, and Sauce
Pour in the soy sauce and stir to combine. Then add the cooked noodles back into the skillet along with the broccoli, edamame if using, and toasted sesame seeds. Use tongs to toss everything thoroughly, making sure every noodle is glossy with the aromatic sauce.
Step 5: Serve and Garnish with Flair
Divide noodles into bowls, then sprinkle the reserved scallions on top. This adds a fresh, bright crunch that complements the rich sauce perfectly. For a bit of indulgence, add a fried or soft-boiled egg on top and drizzle with chili oil if you want that extra spicy kick.
Top Tip
From making this dish a dozen times, I’ve learned a few tricks that really take it up a notch. These helped me avoid common mistakes and get consistent results that I’m proud to serve.
- Don’t Overcook the Noodles: They’ll keep cooking a little once tossed with the hot sauce, so aim for al dente to prevent mushiness.
- Use Low-Sodium Soy Sauce: I’ve ruined batches by using regular soy sauce, so this is key to balance the saltiness when combined with butter.
- Reserve Some Green Onions for Garnish: It adds fresh brightness and a beautiful color contrast at the end.
- Toast Your Sesame Seeds: If you have a moment, lightly toast the seeds yourself—it releases nutty oils that really elevate the flavor.
How to Serve Quick Scallion Noodles with Broccoli Recipe
Garnishes
I usually finish this dish with a handful of chopped scallions for freshness and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for crunch. When I’m feeling indulgent, a fried egg or soft-boiled egg on top is my go-to — it adds creaminess that makes every bite melt in your mouth.
Side Dishes
Because this dish is flavorful and filling, I often pair it with lighter sides like steamed dumplings or a crisp cucumber salad to keep things balanced. Sometimes a simple miso soup on the side adds a nice warmth without heaviness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special dinner, I like to serve the noodles in individual bowls garnished with edible flowers or fresh herbs like cilantro for an elevated look. And drizzling a bit of chili oil in a pretty swirl just before serving makes it feel extra festive.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The broccoli stays bright, and the noodles soak up the sauce nicely. Before eating, I always give it a good toss to redistribute the flavors.
Freezing
Freezing this dish isn’t my favorite because noodles can get a bit mushy when thawed, but if you want to, freeze portions without eggs or fresh scallions. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently to avoid sogginess.
Reheating
I reheat leftovers in a skillet over medium heat, adding a tiny splash of water or broth to loosen the noodles if they’ve dried out. This keeps the noodles from sticking and revives the sauce beautifully.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! I’ve swapped in shiitake mushrooms, snap peas, or even thinly sliced carrots when I’m out of broccoli. Just adjust the sauté time so they stay crisp-tender.
I love using dry ramen noodles because they cook quickly and have a great bite, but Pad Thai rice noodles are also fantastic and gluten-free. Just cook according to package instructions and avoid overcooking.
The recipe is flexible on spice; I recommend starting with ¼ teaspoon of chili flakes and adjusting up to ¾ teaspoon or adding chili oil to suit your heat preferences. You can omit chili completely for mild flavor.
Yes! Simply swap the butter for a good-quality vegan butter or olive oil, and skip the egg topping, or replace it with tofu or tempeh for added protein. Just make sure your soy sauce or tamari is vegan-friendly.
Final Thoughts
This Quick Scallion Noodles with Broccoli Recipe has become one of those weeknight heroes in my kitchen, and I know you’ll come to rely on it too. It’s fast, flavorful, and forgiving enough to adapt whenever you want something satisfying without much fuss. Give it a try, and I promise it’ll feel like a warm hug after a long day.
Print
Quick Scallion Noodles with Broccoli Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A quick and easy 20-minute scallion noodle recipe featuring tender broccoli florets, aromatic garlic butter sauce, and a perfect hint of chili. Tossed with soy sauce and sesame seeds, this flavorful dish can be topped with a fried or soft-boiled egg and is great for a simple weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Noodles and Vegetables
- 6 oz. dry ramen noodles (or Pad Thai rice noodles)
- 3 to 4 cups small broccoli florets (substitute 8 oz. shiitake mushrooms)
- 1 whole bunch green onions (scallions), trimmed and thinly sliced, divided
- 4 garlic cloves, minced or thinly sliced
- 2 tsp. freshly grated ginger
- ½ cup shelled edamame (optional)
Sauce and Seasonings
- 2 Tbsp. neutral cooking oil, divided
- 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter
- ¼ to ¾ tsp. chili flakes (substitute chili oil)
- ¼ cup lower-sodium soy sauce or tamari
- 2 Tbsp. toasted sesame seeds (or 1 to 2 tsp. toasted sesame oil)
Toppings (Optional)
- Fried or soft-boiled eggs for serving
- Chili oil for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Noodles: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the noodles and cook according to package instructions, about 4 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Broccoli: Heat 1 Tbsp. of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add broccoli florets and sauté until crisp-tender, about 6 minutes. Transfer broccoli to a bowl and reduce heat to medium.
- Prepare Aromatics: Add butter and the remaining 1 Tbsp. oil to the skillet along with two-thirds of the sliced scallions, garlic, ginger, and chili flakes. Cook until softened and fragrant, approximately 3 minutes.
- Add Soy Sauce: Stir in the soy sauce to the aromatics in the skillet to create the flavorful sauce.
- Toss Noodles and Veggies: Add the cooked noodles, sautéed broccoli, edamame if using, and toasted sesame seeds to the skillet. Use tongs to toss everything together until noodles are well coated in the sauce.
- Serve and Garnish: Divide noodles into bowls and top with fried or soft-boiled eggs if desired. Garnish with the remaining scallions and drizzle chili oil for extra spice, if preferred.
Notes
- This recipe can be customized by substituting broccoli with shiitake mushrooms for a different texture.
- Use lower-sodium soy sauce to prevent the dish from becoming too salty.
- To add protein, include shelled edamame or top with eggs.
- For extra heat, increase chili flakes or drizzle chili oil.
- Use toasted sesame oil instead of seeds if preferred for a richer sesame flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.33 cup
- Calories: 367 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 625 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
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