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Easy One-Pan Pad Thai Recipe for Beginners Perfect Rice Noodles Meal

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A quick and easy one-pan Pad Thai recipe using rice noodles, perfect for beginners and busy weeknights. This dish delivers authentic tangy, nutty, and slightly sweet flavors with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 g) flat dried rice noodles
  • 8 ounces (225 g) shrimp, chicken, or firm tofu, cut into bite-sized pieces (optional)
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup fresh bean sprouts
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • 1/2 cup shredded carrots
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup crushed roasted unsalted peanuts
  • 1 lime, cut into wedges
  • A handful of fresh cilantro, roughly chopped (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons tamarind paste
  • 3 tablespoons fish sauce (or soy sauce for vegetarian)
  • 2 tablespoons palm sugar or brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon chili flakes or Sriracha
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable or peanut oil

Instructions

  1. Soak the rice noodles in warm water for 20–25 minutes until pliable but still firm. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together tamarind paste, fish sauce, palm sugar, rice vinegar, and chili flakes to make the Pad Thai sauce. Adjust seasoning to taste and set aside.
  3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook shrimp, chicken, or tofu until just done, about 3–5 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside.
  4. Lower heat to medium and pour in beaten eggs. Cook gently, stirring until softly scrambled and tender. Break into small curds.
  5. Add more oil if needed, then sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add shredded carrots and green onions and cook for 2 minutes until slightly softened.
  6. Add drained noodles, veggies, and eggs to the skillet. Pour sauce over and toss to combine. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently until noodles are tender and coated. Add a splash of water or broth if dry.
  7. Return cooked protein to the pan and toss gently to combine and heat through for 1 minute.
  8. Stir in fresh bean sprouts just before removing from heat to keep their crunch.
  9. Serve hot, garnished with crushed peanuts, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges. Squeeze lime over each serving.

Notes

Soak noodles just until pliable to avoid mushy texture. Adjust sauce seasoning before adding. Use high heat for caramelization. Add bean sprouts last to keep crunch. If noodles stick, add a splash of oil or water. Work in batches if pan is crowded. For vegan version, use soy sauce instead of fish sauce and omit eggs.

Nutrition

Keywords: Pad Thai, one-pan recipe, rice noodles, easy dinner, Thai food, quick meal, beginner friendly

Find it online: https://rowanrecipes.com/easy-one-pan-pad-thai-recipe-for-beginners-perfect-rice-noodles-meal/