There’s something so comforting about noodles that you can whip up fast but still taste like you spent hours in the kitchen. This Quick Scallion Noodles with Broccoli Recipe hits that sweet spot — it’s bright, buttery, a little spicy, and packed with fresh scallions and tender broccoli. Trust me, it will become your go-to when you want something satisfying without the hassle.
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 remember the first time I made this recipe — I was craving noodles but didn't want something heavy or complicated. The way the scallions shine in that rich garlic butter sauce made a simple dish feel extraordinary. It’s quick, fresh, and so nourishing without any fuss.
- Speedy and Simple: Ready in about 20 minutes from start to finish, perfect for weeknights or last-minute guests.
- Fresh, Bright Flavors: The scallions and ginger bring brightness, balancing the rich butter and soy sauce beautifully.
- Versatile Ingredients: Broccoli adds crunch and nutrition, but you can swap in shiitake mushrooms or other veggies you have on hand.
- Protein Options: Edamame and eggs turn it into a filling, well-rounded meal that doesn’t feel heavy.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient here plays an important role — from texture and flavor to balance. Noodles and broccoli form the base while scallions and garlic butter pack in the aroma. Using lower-sodium soy sauce is a little trick I swear by to keep the dish flavorful but not salt-overload. Here’s the lowdown:
- Dry ramen noodles or Pad Thai rice noodles: Both work well; choose based on your pantry or texture preference. Ramen is springier, rice noodles are lighter.
- Neutral cooking oil: Like vegetable or canola oil, for sautéing without overpowering the other flavors.
- Broccoli florets: Adds color, crunch, and nutrition; I like to use small florets so they cook evenly and quickly.
- Unsalted butter: Creates a luscious, silky sauce base — don’t skip it for that comforting richness.
- Green onions (scallions): The star of the dish — fresh, pungent, and layered into the sauce and as a garnish.
- Garlic and ginger: Essential aromatics that make the sauce pop with warmth and a little zing.
- Chili flakes or chili oil: Adds a subtle heat that wakes up your taste buds without being overpowering.
- Lower-sodium soy sauce or tamari: Controls salt while delivering that umami depth.
- Shelled edamame (optional): For an easy protein boost and a touch of sweetness.
- Toasted sesame seeds or toasted sesame oil: For nutty fragrance and a little crunch that finishes the dish perfectly.
- Fried or soft-boiled eggs (optional): The ultimate finishing touch for extra richness and comfort.
Make It Your Way
One of the best things about this Quick Scallion Noodles with Broccoli Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I often experiment by swapping in different greens or adding more chili for spice. It really adapts to whatever you have and your mood.
- Vegetable Swap: I’ve tried shiitake mushrooms in place of broccoli for a deeper umami flavor, and it works wonderfully.
- Make It Vegan: Skip the butter and use a good quality sesame oil and more scallions to keep it rich and flavorful.
- Protein Boost: If you're hungry, toss in tofu cubes or shredded chicken alongside the edamame.
- Heat Level: Adjust chili flakes or drizzle extra chili oil to suit your spice tolerance perfectly.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Quick Scallion Noodles with Broccoli Recipe
Step 1: Cook the noodles perfectly
I start by bringing a big pot of salted water to a boil. Then, in go the noodles — ramen or rice noodles, either works. I follow the package instructions closely, usually about 3 to 4 minutes. The secret? Don’t overcook or your noodles will get mushy. Drain them well and set aside to keep warm.
Step 2: Sauté the broccoli to crisp-tender
While the noodles are cooking, I heat a tablespoon of neutral oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. The broccoli goes in next — I like to sauté until it's just tender but still has a bit of snap, about 5 to 6 minutes. This keeps it vibrant green and full of texture. Don’t crowd the pan or you’ll steam the broccoli instead of sautéing it. Once cooked, I transfer it to a bowl and lower the heat to medium.
Step 3: Build that flavorful scallion garlic butter sauce
In the same skillet, I melt the butter with the remaining oil, then toss in two-thirds of the scallions along with the garlic, ginger, and chili flakes. This is where the magic happens. I let them cook gently for about 3 minutes until they're soft and aromatic — your kitchen will smell amazing. Then I stir in the soy sauce, which brings everything together.
Step 4: Combine noodles, veggies, and sauce
Back into the skillet go the noodles, sautéed broccoli, edamame (if using), and toasted sesame seeds. Using tongs, I toss everything together to make sure each strand of noodle is luxuriously coated in that garlicky, buttery sauce. If it looks a bit dry, add a splash of water or soy sauce to loosen it up. Then it’s ready to serve!
Step 5: Garnish and enjoy
I love to finish the dish with the remaining scallions for a fresh crunch. Adding a soft-boiled or fried egg on top turns it into a comforting, dinner-worthy meal. For extra heat, a drizzle of chili oil is the perfect final touch.
Top Tip
Having made this quick scallion noodles recipe many times, I’ve learned a few tricks that really bring it to life and keep it foolproof.
- Don’t Overcook the Broccoli: Sauté it just until tender-crisp so it keeps its color and bite rather than getting mushy.
- Use Lower-Sodium Soy Sauce: This helps avoid a salty dish, especially important when combined with butter.
- Save Some Scallions for Garnish: Adding fresh scallions on top at the end brightens the whole dish visually and flavor-wise.
- Toss Gently with Tongs: This keeps the noodles from breaking or clumping and helps them get evenly coated.
How to Serve Quick Scallion Noodles with Broccoli Recipe
Garnishes
My absolute favorite garnishes are the remaining sliced scallions for freshness and a soft-boiled egg with that runny yolk flowing into the noodles. Sometimes I sprinkle on extra toasted sesame seeds or a light drizzle of chili oil for heat and fragrance. If you like crunch, crushed peanuts or crisp shallots also pair wonderfully.
Side Dishes
This noodle dish is pretty filling on its own, but I like pairing it with a simple cucumber salad or steamed dumplings to round out the meal. Quick pickled veggies also work great if you want a refreshing contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special dinner, try serving these noodles in wide shallow bowls with the egg artfully placed on top and a sprinkle of fresh herbs like cilantro or Thai basil. I once served this with a side of miso-glazed eggplant and it turned into a beautiful, restaurant-style dinner.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store any leftover noodles in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Because of the butter and soy sauce, I find the noodles hold their flavor well without drying out. Before eating, just give them a good stir and a splash of water if needed.
Freezing
Freezing these noodles isn’t my favorite because the broccoli gets a bit watery when thawed, but if you’re in a pinch, freeze without the eggs and add fresh ones when reheating.
Reheating
The best way I found to reheat leftovers is gently in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or soy sauce to loosen the sauce. Microwave works too but I’d stick to short bursts to avoid drying out the noodles.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! While I usually make this with ramen or Pad Thai rice noodles, you can substitute any kind of noodles you like, such as soba, udon, or even spaghetti in a pinch. Just adjust cooking times accordingly.
The recipe is mildly spicy thanks to the chili flakes, but you can easily adjust the heat by using less or more chili, or swapping chili oil for a different level of spice. It’s flexible to your taste preferences!
Absolutely. Simply substitute the butter with sesame oil or vegan margarine, and skip the eggs at the end. The combination of scallions, garlic, ginger, and soy sauce still creates an incredibly flavorful dish.
Edamame is my favorite easy add-in for extra protein, but tofu, shredded chicken, or even shrimp can be cooked separately and tossed in at the end to bulk up the meal while keeping it light.
Final Thoughts
This Quick Scallion Noodles with Broccoli Recipe is one of those dishes that I keep coming back to because it feels like a little bowl of comfort and freshness all at once. It’s perfect when you want to eat well but don’t want to spend hours cooking. Plus, with a handful of staple ingredients, you can always keep it on rotation. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do—give it a try and then make it your own!
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 flavorful 20-minute scallion noodle recipe featuring tender noodles tossed with sautéed broccoli, garlic butter sauce, and a hint of chili, perfect for a simple weeknight meal. Optional toppings include fried or soft-boiled eggs and edamame for added protein.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 6 oz. dry ramen noodles or Pad Thai rice noodles
- 2 Tbsp. neutral cooking oil, divided
- 3 to 4 cups small broccoli florets (or substitute 8 oz. shiitake mushrooms)
- 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter
- 1 whole bunch green onions (scallions), trimmed and thinly sliced, divided
- 4 garlic cloves, minced or thinly sliced
- 2 tsp. freshly grated ginger
- ¼ to ¾ tsp. chili flakes (or substitute chili oil)
- ¼ cup lower-sodium soy sauce or tamari
- ½ cup shelled edamame (optional for added protein)
- 2 Tbsp. toasted sesame seeds (or 1 to 2 tsp. toasted sesame oil)
- Fried or soft-boiled eggs for serving (optional)
- Chili oil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare noodles: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the noodles according to package instructions, about 3 to 4 minutes. Drain the noodles and set aside.
- Sauté broccoli: Heat 1 Tbsp. of neutral cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli florets and sauté until crisp-tender, about 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer broccoli to a bowl and reduce heat to medium.
- Cook aromatics: In the same skillet, add the butter, remaining 1 Tbsp. oil, and two-thirds of the sliced scallions. Add garlic, grated ginger, and chili flakes. Cook until softened and aromatic, about 3 minutes.
- Add sauce and combine: Stir in the lower-sodium soy sauce or tamari. Then add the cooked noodles, sautéed broccoli, shelled edamame (if using), and toasted sesame seeds. Use tongs to toss everything together, coating the noodles evenly in sauce.
- Serve and garnish: Divide the noodles into bowls. Top with the remaining scallions and optional fried or soft-boiled eggs. Drizzle chili oil over the top for an extra kick of spice if desired.
Notes
- This recipe is quick and easy, perfect for a simple weeknight meal.
- Substitute shiitake mushrooms for broccoli to vary the flavors.
- Use lower-sodium soy sauce to avoid overly salty noodles.
- Add shelled edamame for extra protein and nutrition.
- Top with fried or soft-boiled eggs for a richer dish.
- Adjust chili flakes or chili oil to control the heat according to your preference.
- To save time, prepare scallions and garlic ahead of time.
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: 15 mg

Leave a Reply