Spicy-Sweet Sambal Pork Noodles

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Spicy-Sweet Sambal Pork Noodles

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.

Servings:

Calories: 1024kcal

Author: Bon Appétit

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