Cheap and easy meals with noodles as the main ingredient

Welcome to our 'Cooking with the Basics' series! Each article in this series will cover a bunch of simple recipes you can follow, all based on a common ingredient you can find in your cupboard. Noodle dishes are some of the most varied in the world - its easy to combine noodles with a range of ingredients and spices to create dishes that always satisfy.

The recipes below will all cost £10.00 or lower and should produce enough for multiple portions for your week! All you have to do is meal prep to get the most for your money (this estimate is based on the average price gained from Sainsbury’s, Tesco and M&S in June 2024. This is subject to change).

Vegetable stir-fry noodles (£)

Ingredients

• 300g egg noodles
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 carrot, julienned
• 100g broccoli florets
• 100g mushrooms, sliced
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp sesame oil (optional)
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. Cook the noodles according to the package instructions, then drain and set aside.
2. In a large frying pan or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
3. Add the onion and garlic, and stir-fry for 2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Add the bell pepper, carrot, broccoli, and mushrooms. Stir-fry for about 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
5. Stir in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil (if using), and ground ginger. Cook for another minute.
6. Add the cooked noodles to the pan and toss to combine everything evenly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Serve hot. Makes 4 servings.

Cost: Approx. £7

Chicken and peanut butter noodles (£££)

Ingredients

• 300g rice noodles
• 2 chicken breasts, thinly sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp peanut butter
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 lime, juiced
• Fresh coriander for garnish (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. Cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions, then drain and set aside.
2. In a large frying pan or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
3. Add the sliced chicken and cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Add the onion and garlic, and stir-fry for 2 minutes until the onion is soft.
5. In a small bowl, mix the peanut butter, soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, and lime juice until smooth.
6. Add the cooked noodles to the pan, then pour the peanut sauce over the noodles and chicken. Toss to combine everything evenly.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh coriander if desired.
8. Serve hot. Makes 4 servings.

Cost: Approx. £9

Noodle soup with vegetables and tofu (££)

Ingredients

• 300g ramen noodles
• 1 litre vegetable stock
• 200g firm tofu, cubed
• 1 carrot, sliced
• 100g spinach
• 2 spring onions, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. Cook the ramen noodles according to the package instructions, then drain and set aside.
2. In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and spring onions, and sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Add the vegetable stock, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Bring to a boil.
4. Add the carrot slices and cubed tofu. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes until the carrot is tender.
5. Stir in the spinach and cooked noodles. Cook for another 2 minutes until the spinach is wilted and the noodles are heated through.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Serve hot in bowls. Makes 4 servings.

Cost: Approx. £8

All these recipes are quick, easy, and can be customised to your taste preferences. The ingredients can all also be used for other recipes on Halls Life so keep a look out for more recipes coming soon!