Drunken noodles (pad kee mao)

Why this dinner works

Most weeknight one-pot dinners ask you to choose between two evils: a five-ingredient bowl that tastes like the inside of a saucepan, or a recipe so layered it eats your entire evening. Drunken noodles (pad kee mao) sits comfortably in the middle. It draws on Thai traditions where building flavor in stages — aromatics, then spice, then the slow swell of liquid into starch — is just how dinner gets made on a regular Tuesday.

The whole thing comes together in about 38 minutes in a single soup pot, which means dinner from idea to table is shorter than most podcast episodes. We've leaned on the everyday 11 ingredients listed below, but in the notes after the recipe you'll find the small swaps and shortcuts that make this dish forgiving when your fridge is half-empty.

Method

1. Step 1. Prepare the noodles following pack instructions, then drain and set aside. Combine all the ingredients for the sauce in a small bowl or jug, and set aside.
2. Step 2. Heat the oil in a large wok or frying pan over a high heat and stir-fry the garlic and chilli for 20 seconds until just starting to turn golden. Add the steak and stir-fry for 1 minute until seared and starting to brown. Add the broccoli and stir-fry for another minute, then tip in the noodles and add the sauce. Stir-fry for another 1-2 mins until well combined and piping hot.
3. Step 3. Stir through the basil and turn off the heat. Serve immediately to avoid overcooking.

Cook's notes

One pan, fewer dishes. Use the widest, heaviest soup pot you own with a tight-fitting lid. The wider base means faster browning at the start; the lid traps the gentle steam that finishes the dish without scorching the bottom.

Salt as you go. Season the aromatics, season the protein, season the liquid before it reduces. By the time you taste at the end, the only adjustment is usually acid — a squeeze of lemon, a splash of vinegar, a final crack of pepper.

Make it ahead. Like most one-pot dinners with thai roots, the leftovers are arguably better the next day. Cool quickly, refrigerate within two hours, and reheat gently with a splash of water or stock to loosen things back up.

Pairings & serving

This one feels best in a 6-bowl spread with a sharp green salad and something cold to drink. If you want to stretch it for unexpected company, double the liquid and a single starchy ingredient — rice, pasta, potatoes, depending on the recipe — and the whole pan grows without much extra work.

Watch it cooked

If you're a visual learner, there's a free walkthrough of this dish on YouTube.

Original recipe inspiration: source.