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One-Pot Teriyaki Noodles

One-Pot Teriyaki Noodles

A delicious and comforting one-pot meal perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe features noodles that cook directly in a homemade teriyaki sauce, absorbing all the flavor and creating a thick, glossy coating. It's a simple, fast, and satisfying dinner that's ready in under 30 minutes with minimal cleanup.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 23 minutes
Total Time 28 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • ½ green cabbage, shredded
  • 2 carrots, shredded
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • ⅔ cup soy sauce
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground mustard
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 16 oz spaghetti (1-pound box)
  • 3 ½ cups water
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Equipment

  • large pot or Dutch oven

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once it’s hot, add the olive oil. Swirl to coat the bottom, then add your shredded cabbage and carrots. Sauté the vegetables for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they just begin to soften and wilt.
  2. Pour in the soy sauce and sprinkle in the brown sugar, ground mustard, ground ginger, and garlic powder. Stir everything together until the brown sugar is dissolved and the sauce is well combined. This is your flavor base!
  3. Add the spaghetti to the pot. I like to break the noodles in half so they fit better and are easier to stir. Pour in the 3 ½ cups of water and give everything a good stir to ensure the noodles are submerged as much as possible.
  4. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for about 15-18 minutes. As the noodles begin to bend and soften, make sure to stir more frequently, scraping the bottom of the pot to prevent any sticking. The sauce will thicken as the water evaporates and the noodles cook.
  5. Once the noodles are fully cooked and tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed into a thick sauce, remove the pot from the heat. Toss in the sesame seeds and give it one final mix. Serve immediately, garnishing with more sesame seeds or sliced green onions if you have them.

Notes

Stir noodles frequently as they soften to prevent sticking. Manage the heat to maintain a simmer, not a rapid boil, to prevent the sauce from reducing too quickly. The sauce will thicken as it cools. For substitutions, you can use fresh ginger and garlic instead of powdered. Add proteins like chicken or shrimp, or other vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, or snow peas. For a spicy kick, add sriracha or red pepper flakes.