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Kung Pao Noodles

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Posted by:

Erin Lynch

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Updated:

February 28, 2025

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5 from 9 votes

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KUNG PAO NOODLES PINTEREST IMAGE.
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Kung Pao Noodles will quickly become one of your favorite dishes. This vegetarian meal will be on your table in 20 minutes! Plus, it’s easy to add your favorite protein like chicken, pork or tofu.

Kung Pao noodles in cast iron skillet on grey counter flecked with chopped peanuts.

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These Kung Pao Noodles are a dish that you’re going to want in your easy-dinner recipe arsenal.

Why?

  • They’ll be on your table in 20 minutes.
  • They’re perfect for Meatless Monday (or add your favorite protein).
  • They’re delicious hot or cold, so they make perfect leftovers.

I’m tossing these noodles with a variation of my favorite kung pao sauce from my Slow Cooker Kung Pao Chicken recipe. It’s spicy, sweet, tangy… basically heaven.

Kung Pao noodles in cast iron skillet on grey counter flecked with chopped peanuts and fork in skillet with pasta twirled around it.

Table of Contents

  • Is Kung Pao spicy?
  • Ingredients needed
  • How to make it
  • Variations
  • What to serve with it
  • Wine pairings
  • Full Recipe

Is Kung Pao spicy?

As written, this recipe isn’t super spicy. The sauce has a bit of chili paste in it which puts it at about a mild-medium heat level. If you’d like to keep this dish on the tamer side, you can leave out the chili paste entirely. But if you’re like me, and you like things spicy, I’ve got some ways to amp up the heat.

First, you can simply add in some additional chili paste or sriracha. Or, you can add in some dried red chili peppers. I tend to have some in my pantry at all times, so I like to add those in there for some extra heat and texture.

Ingredients needed

  • Spaghetti – Or, fettuccine or linguine noodles.
  • Vegetable Oil
  • Onion & Garlic
  • Red Bell Pepper
  • Zucchini
  • Ginger
  • Dried Red Chili Peppers
  • Low Sodium Soy Sauce
  • Rice Wine Vinegar
  • Brown Sugar
  • Chili Paste
  • Cornstarch
  • Sesame Oil
  • Chopped Peanuts
  • Green Onions
Extreme closeup of kung pao noodles with fork in skillet and pasta twirled around.

How to make it

  • Whisk together kung pao sauce ingredients and set aside.
  • Cook noodles to just shy of al dente according to package instructions. Drain and toss with a bit of oil. Set aside.
  • While the noodles are cooking, heat oil in a large skillet. Add the onions and saute until softened. Add red pepper, zucchini, garlic, ginger and red chili peppers (if using) and saute until just tender.
  • Add the noodles to the vegetables and pour sauce over top. Toss over low heat until the noodles are coated in sauce.
  • Garnish with chopped peanuts and green onions and serve.

Variations

I made these vegetarian Kung Pao Noodles. However, you can easily add in your favorite protein or some roasted vegetables to bulk it up.

Here are some great options:

  • Pork
  • Shrimp
  • Chicken
  • Beef
  • Tofu
  • Tempeh
  • Roasted Cauliflower
  • Roasted Brussels Sprouts

You can also cut down on carbs by swapping out the pasta for zucchini noodles, butternut squash noodles or sweet potato noodles.

What to serve with it

  • Din Tai Fung Green Beans
  • Broccoli Stir Fry
  • Smashed Cucumber Salad
  • Air Fryer Potstickers
  • Kung Pao Brussel Sprouts
  • Cucumber Salad

Wine pairings

  • Gewurztraminer or an off-dry Riesling would make a good match for this dish.
Kung pao noodles served in speckled bowl with chopsticks.

More noodle recipes

  • Tan Tan Noodles (Tantanmen Ramen)
  • Yaki Udon
  • Lamb Dumplings in Spicy Ginger Broth
  • Sesame Chicken Noodles
  • Pad Kee Mao (Drunken Noodles)
  • Shrimp Spring Roll Noodle Bowls
  • Easy Slow Cooker Thai Noodle Soup
  • Cumin Lamb Noodles
  • Plus → 30+ Sauces for Noodles

More Kung Pao recipes

  • Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts
  • Slow Cooker Kung Pao Chicken

Did you try this spicy kung pao noodles recipe?

If you loved these spicy kung pao noodles, I would appreciate it so much if you would give this recipe a ⭐️star review⭐️! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

For more great Platings and Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and Facebook.

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Kung Pao noodles in cast iron skillet on grey counter flecked with chopped peanuts.

Full Recipe

Kung Pao Noodles

Kung Pao Noodles will quickly become one of your favorite dishes. This vegetarian meal will be on your table in 20 minutes! Plus, it's easy to add your favorite protein like chicken, pork or tofu.
5 from 9 votes
Print Pin
Serves 4 people
Created by Platings and Pairings
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Cook Time: 15 minutes mins

Equipment

  • Skillet

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces spaghetti (fettuccine, or linguine noodles)
  • 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 small onion (thinly sliced)
  • 1 red bell pepper chopped
  • 1 zucchini cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon grated ginger
  • 6-10 dried red chili peppers split and seeds removed (optional)

Kung Pao Sauce:

  • 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
  • 1/3 cup rice wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon chili paste
  • 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 Tablespoon sesame oil

To Garnish:

  • Chopped peanuts
  • Green onions chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  • Whisk together kung pao sauce ingredients and set aside.
  • Cook noodles to just shy of al dente according to package instructions. Drain and toss with a bit of oil. Set aside.
  • While the noodles are cooking, heat 1 Tablespoon oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the onions and saute until softened, 3-4 minutes. Add red pepper, zucchini, garlic, ginger and red chili peppers (if using) and saute for 2 minutes, until just tender.
  • Add the noodles to the vegetables and pour sauce over top. Toss over low heat for 1-2 minute until the noodles are coated in sauce.
  • Garnish with chopped peanuts and green onions and serve.

Notes

Optional add in 1 pound sauteed chicken, pork, beef or tofu.

Nutrition

Calories: 465kcal | Carbohydrates: 82g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 1078mg | Potassium: 505mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 1029IU | Vitamin C: 50mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 2mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

This post was originally published in 2019. It was updated in 2023. The kung pao noodles recipe remains the same. Enjoy!

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5 from 9 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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7 responses

  1. Kelly Thoreson
    October 7, 2019

    5 stars
    Mmmm looks so good! Now I’m hungry!

    Reply
  2. Marlynn | Urban Bliss Life
    October 8, 2019

    5 stars
    Such a fast, easy, and yummy noodle recipe! Love this dish for busy weeknights. Thanks, Erin!

    Reply
    1. Erin
      October 11, 2019

      You’re welcome Marlynn!

      Reply
  3. Erin
    October 5, 2022

    5 stars
    I LOVE these noodles SO much! Maybe too much 🙂 We make them at least 1x week! Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe!

    Reply
  4. Tobey
    June 24, 2023

    Any recommendation for subbing an Asian noodle instead of Italian noodle?

    Reply
    1. Erin
      June 25, 2023

      Hi Tobey – Rice noodles, soba noodles, or buckwheat noodles would also be delicious in this recipe!

      Reply
  5. Mimi Rippee
    October 27, 2024

    Mmmm. This looks so good. Way better than what you’d get in your classic Chinese-American restaurant.

    Reply

Hi, I’m Erin!

Can I pour you a glass of wine? Let’s have some fun in the kitchen! Maybe some pasta? A juicy steak? I’ve got loads of yummy, easy recipes for you! Because cooking should feel as comfy as your favorite yoga pants. ♥

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