It’s hard to imagine a food more perfect than noodles (sorry, pizza, but it’s true). There are so many different kinds to enjoy. But if the only noodle you’re intimately familiar with is ramen, you’re in for a treat. Rice noodles are a quick-cooking, gluten-free option that soak up basically whatever flavor you pair them with. Save yourself from another night of predictable pasta, and opt for one of these 20 rice noodle recipes instead.
Caramelized Shrimp Bun Cha
Flavorful, caramelized shrimp adds a kick of flavor to this rice noodle dish. For contrast, cool cucumber slices and crunchy lettuce are served on the side. (via Pickled Plum)
Fig and Fennel Salad
We tend to think about traditional Asian food when it comes to rice noodles, but they’re more versatile than that. Here, they make a bed for a flavorful salad of figs, fennel, herbs, and zucchini, topped with a lime dressing and crushed peanuts. (via Amuse Your Bouche)
Summer Vegetable Spring Roll Bowls
This fresh meal is like a deconstructed spring roll in bowl form. Rice vermicelli is topped with roasted veggies and basil, then drizzled with tamarind sesame vinaigrette for a meal as flavorful as it is nutritious. (via Cooking With a Wallflower)
Thai Curry Mussels With Rice Noodles
If you crave takeout, but don’t want to spend the money, here’s the recipe for you. It’s surprisingly inexpensive to make this red curry mussels dish at home, and each bite will taste more satisfying, since you made it yourself. (via Nerds With Knives)
Spicy Garlic Teriyaki Rice Noodles
Noodles are tossed with pork, teriyaki sauce, and garlic — lots of garlic — for a fast and flavorful meal. (via What Do You Crave)
Curry Salmon Noodle Bowl
This rice bowl has a little something of just about everything that will make you feel great. Heart-healthy salmon, avocado, fresh crunchy vegetables, and mango make this curried rice noodle bowl a delight. (via Avocado a Day Nutrition)
Sweet Curried Rice Noodles With Shrimp and Roasted Veggies
A sweet coconut milk and red curry sauce coats each bite of this rice noodle dish. But our favorite part is the fun bursts of color offered up from red pepper and purple cabbage. (via The Wooden Skillet)
Vietnamese Grilled Pork Vermicelli
Vermicelli rice noodles add a pleasing chewiness to this dish. But let’s be honest — it’s the tender marinated, grilled pork that takes center stage. (via Bear Naked Food)
Grapefruit Edamame Rice Noodle Salad
Carrot ribbons join rice noodles in this colorful noodle bowl. Rounding things out, you have grapefruit, edamame, radish, and avocado, for a fresh meal that will make you feel good with each and every bite. (via The Healthy Hunter Blog)
Carrot Rice Noodle Bowl With Tahini-Sriracha Sauce
There’s a lot to love about this bowl full of tangled rice and carrot noodles. But the rich tahini Sriracha sauce, when paired with the sweet carrots, is what really makes the dish stand out. (via Naturally Ella)
Thai Green Curry Rice Noodles
Here, a green coconut milk curry flavors a bowl of rice noodles, chicken, and veggies, for a meal so good you’ll start eating it right out of the pan. (via Yay for Food)
Vegan Singapore Rice Noodles
Tossed with a rainbow of veggies, these vegan Singapore noodles can’t be beat. Super thin rice noodles are stir fried with a fragrant turmeric, ginger, and curry sauce that’s just spicy enough to leave your lips with a little tingle. (via Wholesome Patisserie)
Sesame Chile Meatballs With Rice Noodles
Add some heft to your rice noodle bowl with fragrant pork meatballs. These ones are flavored with ginger, garlic, chiles, and lots of cilantro, for a surprisingly fresh flavor. (via The Healthy Hunter Blog)
Barbecue Pork Hot and Sour Soup
Star anise, white pepper, garlic, and dried shiitake mushrooms flavor this rich broth you’ll want to drink straight from the bowl. (via Port and Fin)
Thai Noodle Salad With Peanut Lime Dressing
One of the best things about rice noodles is how versatile they are. They won’t get soggy in a salad like wheat noodles do, and this flavorful recipe is the one to put that notion to the test. (via Pinch of Yum)
Bok Choy Brown Rice Noodle Bowl
If you’re looking for a comforting but healthy meal, this bowl will treat you right. It’s filled with brown rice noodles, bok choy, kale, and mushrooms, along with some flavorful aromatics that will set your senses ablaze. (via Spinach 4 Breakfast)
Vietnamese Pork Meatballs With Rice Noodles
Browned pork meatballs, seasoned with five spice powder, shallots, and garlic are great on their own. Add in some rice noodles and a flavorful, tart-sweet broth for dipping, and you’re really in business. (via Ethnic Spoon)
Sesame Tofu Rice Noodle Bowls
Crispy tofu, rice noodles, and veggies are thrown in a bowl, topped with peanut sauce, and gobbled up probably faster than you knew possible. (via The Healthy Hunter)
Mongolian Beef Noodle Bowls
Savory and sweet, Mongolian beef is already one of the tastier foods out there. Add in some slurpable stir-fried noodles, and you have the makings of a meal so good you’ll forget all about takeout. (via Iowa Girl Eats)
Asian Cucumber Noodle Salad
Here’s a fun way to lighten up noodles. Spiralized cucumbers are tossed with rice noodles and a flavorful dressing, so you can slurp happily away while boosting your veggie intake. (via Avocado Pesto)
Justina Huddleston
Justina Huddleston is a food writer living in Los Angeles. When she's not busy writing, she spends her time in the kitchen creating both virtuous and decidedly junky vegan food. Buffalo chickpea pizza, anyone? She's also been known to eat a plain block of tofu or beans straight out of the can for lunch, but somehow those culinary adventures don't make it to her Instagram. You can follow Justina on Twitter or see what's cooking in her kitchen on her blog, A Life of Little Pleasures.
