Spicy Sesame Kale Noodles Recipe (15-Minute Lunch!)

Name: Spicy Sesame Kale Noodles
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 4 ounces lo mein noodles (or long pasta of choice, use gluten free if needed); 1 tablespoon olive oil (or other neutral oil); 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil; 4 cloves garlic (minced); 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce (or a gluten free version); 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes; 2 cups kale (chopped); 2 green onions (sliced); Sesame seeds (to garnish)

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This spicy sesame kale noodles recipe is loaded with garlic spices, and fresh chopped kale. A 15-minute quick and easy lunch or dinner that is makes a great work from home lunch. This recipe is vegan, vegetarian, and can easily be made gluten free.

A fantastic quick noodles recipe to make when you don’t have a lot of time in the kitchen, and easy to double the recipe to meal prep for the week! This recipe is great on it’s own, or serve with crispy oven baked tofu, a simple salad, or a quick vegetable stir fry.

work from home lunch ideas vegan vegetarian meatless lunches the family will love noodle recipes for lunch.

Table of Contents

I’m always looking for a tasty work from home lunch, and these easy kale noodles are the BEST recipe to make when you’re short on time! In just 15 minutes, you can make an easy and quick lunch that is packed with veggies and will keep you full until lunch.

These noodles are tossed in a chili oil and garlic blend, with heaps of pan fried kale and spices. Twirl them, slurp them, and you have a hearty veggie-packed meal ready in no time.

Why This Recipe Works

It’s quick, easy, and ready in 20 minutes!
Fresh cooked noodles tossed in a spicy garlicky sauce.
Crunchy kale is quick fried for the perfect add-in.
It’s versatile, great for a fast meal anytime.
Vegan, vegetarian, and can easily be made gluten free by using GF pasta and a soy sauce substitute.

One of the BEST Work From Home Lunch Ideas

This kale noodles recipe is what I call an Easy Weeknight Meal – which is on your table in under 30 minutes. These quick and simple recipes are perfect for when you want a homecooked meal on your lunch break, but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.

Browse all our Easy & Quick Meals, that are great for the whole family. From soups and stews, to pastas and proteins – a quick meal can be on your table in no time. Even faster than ordering takeout!

Ingredients You’ll Need

ingredients for kale noodle recipe like pasta, olive oil, sesame seeds, soy sauce, and fresh kale

Lo Mein Noodles: You can use lo mein noodles, or a thick long noodle like spaghetti or linguine if you have some on hand (you can also use gluten free if needed).
Olive Oil: our go-to oil for roasting or baking! Sunflower is a high oleic oil, so it’s best to use for high temperatures.
Toasted Sesame Oil: The sesame oil gives the perfect toasty flavor to these noodles.
Soy Sauce or Tamari: Tamari is just a gluten-free version of soy sauce.
Red Chili Pepper Flakes: for a little heat! I like to add a few shakes to this recipe to give this dish a nice complex depth of flavor.
Green Onion, Garlic, Kale
Sesame Seeds: I love throwing sesame seeds on top of noodle dishes, ramen, or anything that has sesame oil. These add a little crunch, texture, and flavor… especially if you toast them first.

Be sure to visit the recipe card below for full ingredient amounts and recipe instructions!

Additions and Substitutions

You can use any noodle variety that you prefer and can find in your grocery stores. Some great options are lo mein noodles, udon noodles, or soba noodles. If you want to make these in a pinch, you can use a long noodle like spaghetti, angel hair, or fettuccine pasta too.
If you don’t have fresh garlic, you can use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder instead.
Sunflower oil or vegetable oil works as a substitute for olive oil in this recipe.

How To Make Kale Noodles

angel hair pasta being tossed into a pot of boiling water to cook.

Step 1: Cook noodles according to package instructions, drain and set aside.

a pan with olive oil and toasted sesame oil to make kale noodles

Step 2: Heat the olive oil and sesame oil in a pan. Stir and add the garlic 2 to 3 minutes until lightly brown.

kale sauteeing in a pan with garlic chili flakes and sesame oil

Step 3: Add the chili flakes, tamari or soy sauce, and kale. Sauté over medium heat for 4 minutes until kale has wilted.

noodles tossed with kale and chili flakes and browned garlic in sesame oil

Step 4: Add the noodles to the pan, and toss well to combine.

a hand sprinkling green onions over kale noodles in a bowl for vegan dinner

Step 5: Top with green onion and sesame seeds.

a bowl of spicy kale noodles with sesame seeds and fresh sauteed kale

Step 6: Serve hot and enjoy!

Recipe FAQs

What’s in these sesame kale noodles?

This recipe is made by sauteing garlic in toasted sesame oil and olive oil, and adding spicy chili flakes and kale until tender. Toss with soy sauce and cooked pasta for a quick and easy lunch.

What’s a good substitute for kale?

If you don’t have fresh kale you can use frozen kale, baby spinach, or other greens like arugula or watercress.

How to store leftover kale noodles?

If you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container and refrigerate. Re-heat and enjoy within 2 days.

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This is a great fast recipe when I’m hungry for lunch so I don’t grab junk food