TikTok has no shortage of genius culinary creations, and new, exciting recipes pop up on FYPs every day. And with nearly one million views on TikTok, stir fry spaghetti, an innovative fusion of cuisines, has solidified itself as viral trend worthy of being part of your regular cooking menu. While the combination of ingredients is fairly self-explanatory, there’s so much to love about this recipe and its many twists you can put on it. Here’s all you need to know about stir fry spaghetti, why it’s a must-try dish, and how to make it at home.
What Is Stir Fry Spaghetti?
Looking at its individual ingredients gives you a sense of what makes up this dish. You likely know and love spaghetti, the star noodle of so many Italian dishes, from cacio e pepe to bolognese. Combined with stir frying, a high-heat, low-maintenance cooking technique that’s typically done in a wok, spaghetti finds a whole new way to shine.
This Asian-Italian fusion dish marries the flavors and ingredients of authentic Asian stir fry recipes with the accessibility of spaghetti. Most stir fry spaghetti recipes are reminiscent of Asian-inspired noodle dishes like lo mein, yakisoba, or dan dan noodles.
Enjoying Stir-Fry Spaghetti at Home
Serving up a stir fry spaghetti dish at home is easy—it can come together in less than half an hour (perfect for a weeknight dinner). Just gather the ingredients and the right equipment, and you’ll be well on your way to a hearty, healthy meal.
Basic Stir Fry Spaghetti Recipe
To start off your stir fry spaghetti, cook the spaghetti al dente, drain, and set aside. If it'll be a while before you anticipate adding the spaghetti to the stir-fry, lightly coat it in a neutral oil to prevent sticking.
Then, heat your wok to medium-high to high heat with a small amount of neutral cooking oil. If you don’t have a wok, a tall sauté pan also works. Fry your protein (chicken, sausage, shrimp) until it is cooked, and add vegetables and aromatics like onions, garlic, ginger, or shallots. Cook until the veggies just start to soften and slightly caramelize.
While the veggies are cooking, stir together a simple, flavorful sauce of made of soy sauce, sesame oil, green onions, and a splash of rice wine vinegar or coconut aminos. You can also include oyster, Worcestershire, or hoisin sauces per your preference, or keep it simple and opt for a ready-to-use teriyaki sauce.
Set aside the veggies and protein (so your pan doesn't get overcrowded). Add in another splash of oil, and wait to toss in the sauce and spaghetti until you see it smoking—high heat is key! Keep the pan moving while you fry, just for a couple minutes. Add your veggies and protein back in and stir so all the flavors combine.
Variations of Stir-Fry Spaghetti
You can spin this basic recipe any way you’d like. Thai-inspired peanut noodles, chili oil fried noodles, and even savory sesame noodles all make tasty options. Stir fry spaghetti is also perfect for clearing out your fridge and using up any leftover veggies or proteins you have lying around. And speaking of leftovers, this dish stores well in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer for lunches and dinners later in the week.
So, whether it’s the convenience, nutrition, or endless flavor possibilities that capture your interest in stir fry spaghetti, there are many delicious reasons to give this creative dish a try.