These weeknight noodles are inspired by the silky richness of meaty tomato sauce and the fiery, tangy-sweet flavors of pad kee mao (a.k.a. drunken noodles). It's full-on explosive flavor in under an hour.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 lb. ground pork - divided
- 1/2 inch fresh ginger - peeled, cut into thin matchsticks or finely chopped
- 8 garlic cloves - thinly sliced
- 2 Tbsp. sugar
- 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
- 2 sprigs basil - plus more for serving
- ⅓ cup hot chili paste - such as sambal oelek
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup unseasoned rice vinegar
- 1½ lb. fresh ramen noodles - or 16 oz. dried spaghetti
- Kosher salt
- 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
Instructions
Meat Sauce
- Heat oil in a large wide heavy pot over medium-high.
- Add half of the pork to pot, breaking apart into 6–8 large chunks with a wooden spoon.
- Cook, undisturbed, until well-browned underneath, about 5 minutes.
- Turn pieces and continue to cook, turning occasionally, until pork is browned on 2–3 sides, about 5 minutes longer.
- Add ginger, garlic, sugar, and remaining pork to pot and cook, breaking up pork into small clumps, until meat is nearly cooked through, about 5 minutes longer.
- Add tomato paste and 2 basil sprigs.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, until paste darkens, about 2 minutes.
- Add chili paste, soy sauce, vinegar, and 2 cups of water.
- Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and cook, uncovered and stirring occasionally, until sauce is slightly thickened and flavors have melded, 30–45 minutes.
Pasta & Assembly
- Cook noodles in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until 1 minute short of al dense.
- Add to pot with sauce along with butter and a splash of pasta cooking liquid.
- Simmer, tossing occasionally, until sauce begins to cling to noodles, about 1 minute.
- Pluck out basil sprigs.
- Divide noodles among plates and top with torn basil.
Nutrition
Calories: 1024kcalCarbohydrates: 84gProtein: 39gFat: 59gSaturated Fat: 24gCholesterol: 119mgSodium: 3365mgPotassium: 780mgFiber: 3gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 288IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 68mgIron: 6mg