🍜 Crispy Crock Pot Drunken Noodles
A hearty, slow-cooked twist on the Thai classic. Tender pasta tossed with seasoned meat, vegetables, and herbs in a savory, garlicky sauce—cooked low and slow, then crisped to perfection!
🧂 Ingredients:
- 400g (14 oz) wide noodles (egg noodles, pappardelle, or tagliatelle)
- 500g (1 lb) ground beef or pork (or chicken/turkey)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 bell peppers (any color), diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp fish sauce (optional for umami)
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 cup beef broth or water
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil or sesame oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
👩🍳 Instructions:
- Sauté First (Optional but Recommended): In a pan, sauté onion and garlic in oil until fragrant. Add the ground meat and cook until browned. This adds depth of flavor.
- Layer in Crock Pot: Add the meat mixture, chopped carrots, bell peppers, sauces, sugar, chili flakes, and broth to the slow cooker. Stir well.
- Cook:
- LOW for 4–5 hours
- or HIGH for 2–3 hours, until vegetables are tender.
- Add Noodles: About 20–30 minutes before serving, stir in cooked (or parboiled) noodles. Let them absorb the juices.
- Crispy Finish: For extra texture, transfer finished noodles to a baking tray or skillet and broil/sauté for 5–7 minutes until edges are crispy.
- Garnish: Sprinkle with fresh herbs and serve hot!
📝 Notes:
- You can cook the noodles fresh or use leftover cooked pasta.
- Add mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach for extra veggies.
- Adjust sauces to taste — more soy for saltiness, more sugar for sweetness.
💡 Tips:
- Use rice noodles for a more authentic Thai touch, but add them only at the very end (they overcook easily).
- For a vegetarian version, skip the meat and use tofu or mushrooms with vegetable broth.
- Add a splash of rice vinegar or lime juice at the end to balance flavors.
🍽️ Servings:
Makes 4 generous servings.
🧾 Nutritional Info (per serving, approx.):
- Calories: 480
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 20g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
(Will vary based on ingredients and noodle type.)
🌿 Benefits:
- Slow-cooking allows rich flavor development with minimal effort.
- Garlic, onions, and herbs offer anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting benefits.
- Customizable for protein, veggie, and spice preferences.
❓ Q&A:
Q: Can I use uncooked noodles in the Crock-Pot?
A: It’s best to use parboiled or fully cooked noodles. Raw noodles may become mushy unless carefully timed and stirred in at the end.
Q: What meat alternatives work well?
A: Ground tofu, lentils, or plant-based meat crumbles work beautifully.
Q: Can I freeze leftovers?
A: Yes, but texture may soften. Reheat in a skillet for the best results.