Top 10 Easy Noodle Recipes For Kids

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Noodles are a versatile staple food in several countries. Hakka noodles, Aglio e olio pasta, noodle stir fry, chow mein, thukpa soup are some delicious noodle recipes for kids that you can try making. Generally, noodles are made of unleavened wheat dough, which is flattened and then cut into long strips or strings. However, they can also be made with durum wheat, buckwheat, beans, rice, and pulses.

You can make healthier noodles by adding nutritious items, such as tofu, veggies, seeds, and meat or fish. Here are some tasty and nutritious noodles dishes that you may try cooking for your child.

Jesse Feder, CPT, CSCS, a registered dietician, says, “I recommend whole wheat, chickpea, edamame, and black bean noodles. Whole wheat noodles are similar to normal white noodles in taste and contain fiber, vitamins, minerals, and some protein. These are also low in carbohydrates and calories. The high nutritional content is perfect for a growing child, making noodles a wholesome meal.”

Here are some tasty and nutritious noodle dishes that you may try cooking for your child.

In This Article

10 Easy Noodle Recipes For Children

1. Easy kids chow mein

Image: Shutterstock

Chow mein is one of the easy-to-cook and healthy vegetarian noodle recipes for children of all ages. With your help, children can make this recipe, and you can introduce them to the kitchen.

You will need:

  • 200g dried noodles
  • 1 large carrot (grated)
  • 2 spring onions (thinly sliced)
  • ¼ cup grams green beans (thinly sliced)
  • ¼ cup grams cauliflower/broccoli florets
  • ¼ cup corn (boiled)
  • 1 garlic clove (finely chopped)
  • ½ cup meat or tofu (cooked and shredded)
  • 1tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1tbsp tomato ketchup
  • 1tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2tbsps honey
  • 3tbsps olive oil
  • Salt, to taste

How to prepare:

  1. Add water, one tablespoon oil, a pinch of salt, and noodles into a stockpot and cook the noodles (al dente) for five to ten minutes on medium heat with occasional stirring.
  2. Simultaneously, prepare the sauce mix by mixing soy sauce, honey, lemon juice, and ketchup into a small bowl and set it aside.
  3. Once noodles look cooked, turn off the heat, drain the water, and rinse the noodles under cold water.
  4. Next, put oil in a frying pan/wok on medium heat and stir-fry garlic for a few seconds.
  5. Then, add carrots, beans, cauliflower, corn, spring onions, meat, or tofu, and stir fry the ingredients for five to seven minutes or until the vegetables turn tender.
  6. Add the sauce and cooked noodles into the pan, turn the flame to high, and stir-fry the noodles for five to seven minutes.
  7. Turn off the flame, transfer them into a serving bowl, and serve immediately.
protip_icon Quick tip
Cut vegetables into long thin strips (juliennes) for uniform cooking and make the dish look more appealing.

2. Lunch box noodle salad

Image: Shutterstock

It is an easy-to-prepare, nutritious noodle snacks or lunch-time recipe for school-going children and teens.

You will need:

  • 1 cup buckwheat or bean noodles (cooked and chopped)
  • 1 cup mixed sprouts (cooked)
  • ½ cup julienned carrot
  • ½ cup cucumber wedges (small)
  • 1 crushed garlic clove
  • 2tbsps fish sauce dressing
  • ¼ cup fresh lime juice
  • 2tbsps brown sugar
  • 1tbsp toasted sesame seeds
  • 1tbsp roasted pecan nuts

How to prepare:

  1. Put all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and toss them two to three times until it mixes well. Pack the slad with the salad dressing separately.
  2. Transfer the salad into a serving plate and serve it right away with a glass of chilled mocktail.

3. Chicken noodle casserole

Image: Shutterstock

It is a great recipe for an early noodle dinner that children can enjoy with a side of fresh green salad and bread.

You will need:

  • 4 chicken breast filets
  • 375g egg noodles
  • 300 ml sour cream
  • 420g condensed mushroom soup
  • 420g condensed chicken soup
  • 2 cups butter crackers (crumbled)
  • ½ cup melted butter

How to prepare:

  1. Preheat the oven to 356°F (180°C).
  2. Put the chicken breast filets in a pan, cover them with water, and poach for 15 minutes on medium heat.
  3. Once the filets turn tender, reduce the flame, remove the filets from the water, and set them aside to cool.
  4. Now, add noodles in the same water (add more water if needed) and cook until they turn soft.
  5. Next, dice the filets into small pieces and place them in a baking dish.
  6. Mix sour cream, chicken soup, mushroom soup in a mixing bowl, and set the cream-soup mix aside.
  7. Put the cooked noodles over diced chicken filets and pour the cream-soup mix over the noodles.
  8. Give a gentle toss to the final mix so that filet pieces and noodles get coated evenly.
  9. Pour melted butter and crumbled crackers over the chicken-noodle mix, put the dish in the oven, and bake for about 30 minutes. You can add some cheese here for that creamy taste.
  10. After 30 minutes, the top will be golden brown. Remove the dish from the oven, transfer the casserole onto a serving plate, and serve right away.

4. Noodle omelet

Image: Shutterstock

It is a nutrient-dense healthy breakfast recipe for children and teens. This is also one of the popular noodle-stuffed dishes, and noodles and omelets make a tasty combination.

You will need:

  • ½ cup noodles (cooked)
  • ½ cup dried shiitake mushrooms (sliced)
  • ¼ cup red capsicum (finely sliced)
  • 2 spring onion (finely chopped)
  • 2 baby corn (finely sliced)
  • 1 egg and 1 egg white (beaten together)
  • 1tbsp coriander (chopped)
  • 2tbsps oyster sauce
  • ½ tsp peanut oil
  • ½ tsp sesame oil

How to prepare:

  1. Heat peanut oil in a frying pan and stir-fry spring onion, baby corn, mushroom, capsicum, and oyster sauce on medium heat until veggies turn tender.
  2. Once done, lower the flame, and transfer the vegetables into a bowl.
  3. Next, wipe the pan clean, heat sesame seed oil on medium heat, and add the egg mixture into the pan in swirling motion to ensure it spreads evenly.
  4. As the egg starts to set, add noodles and vegetables on one side such that the other half flips over to cover it.
  5. Sprinkle coriander on top and let the egg cook for two to three minutes.
  6. Transfer it onto a serving plate, sprinkle some parsley, with a slice of toasted garlic bread and serve with a cup of warm milk.
protip_icon Quick tip
Soak dried shiitake mushrooms in hot water for 20 minutes before cooking. Once rehydrated, they double in size and develop a plumper texture with a deep earthy flavor.

5. Chicken noodle soup

Image: Shutterstock

These noodle soups are soulful and nutritious dinner recipes suitable for children across ages. It can be cooked with various vegetables like carrots, mushrooms, celery, broccoli, green beans, and corn kernels.

You will need:

  • 150g whole grain noodles (broken)
  • 400g skinless chicken breast (finely sliced)
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
  • 50g spinach leaves (chopped)
  • 2 white parts of leeks (finely sliced)
  • 2 garlic cloves (crushed)
  • 2tsps ginger (grated)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 4 cups water
  • Salt, to taste

How to prepare:

  1. Add the stock, water, bay leaves, cloves, garlic, ginger, and leeks in a stockpot and let the mix boil on medium heat.
  2. As the mix comes to a boil, reduce the heat, and let the mixture simmer for ten minutes.
  3. After ten minutes, add the chicken, vegetables if any and noodles into the pan, and let simmer for an additional eight minutes or until the noodles get soft.
  4. Add the spinach leaves and salt just two to three minutes before the soup is done.
  5. Switch off the flame, remove the bay leaves, and add the soup into a soup bowl.
  6. Serve immediately with baked sweet potato chips or breast sticks/rolls.

6. Two-minute style noodles

It is an easy-to-prepare and soulful noodle recipe, suitable to serve in lunch or early dinner.

You will need:

  • 50g shirataki noodles
  • 1 cup vegetable stock
  • ½ cup carrot (finely chopped)
  • ½ cup corn (boiled)
  • ½ cup green bell pepper (finely sliced)
  • 1tbsp parsley (finely chopped)
  • 1tsp herb mix
  • 4 cups water
  • Salt, to taste

How to prepare:

  1. Add all the ingredients (except parsley and herb mix) in a frying pan and let the mixture simmer over low heat for five to seven minutes or until the vegetables turn tender and noodles turn soft. You can even add lean protein such as cooked chicken or prawns to enhance the nutrition and flavors.
  2. Once done, switch off the flame, transfer the noodles to a bowl, sprinkle parsley and herb mix, and serve right away.

7. Chicken noodle salad

It is yet another lip-smacking, healthy noodle recipe for children and teens.

You will need:

  • 100g whole wheat noodles pack
  • 400g chicken tenders
  • 1 cup carrot (thinly sliced)
  • 1 celery stalk (thinly sliced)
  • 1 cucumber (sliced)
  • 1 red capsicum (thinly sliced)
  • 2tbsps dry roasted peanuts (chopped)
  • Oil spray

For dressing:

  • 1 spring onion (finely chopped)
  • 1 garlic clove (minced)
  • ⅓ cup soy sauce
  • ⅓ cup rice vinegar (optional)
  • 2tsps brown sugar
  • 2tsps sesame oil

How to prepare:

  1. Put all the ingredients for the dressing in a jar and shake them well to make the dressing mix.
  2. Place the chicken tenders in a mixing bowl, coat them with half of the dressing mix, and set aside for 30 minutes.
  3. After 30 minutes, cook the noodles as per the instructions given on the pack.
  4. Put a frying pan on low to medium heat and spray the oil on it.
  5. As the oil warms, put chicken tenders and cook them on each side for two to three minutes.
  6. Add the remaining dressing, vegetables, and noodles into the pan and let everything cook for an additional three to four minutes or until the veggies turn slightly tender.
  7. Once done, switch off the flame, transfer the noodle salad in a serving bowl and garnish with peanut chunks/basil/mint/cilantro. Serve immediately for best taste. You can also cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate it.
protip_icon Quick tip
Check the package label for mentions like 100% whole wheat, whole grain, or stone-ground whole grain to ensure that you are buying genuine whole grain noodles (3).

8. Asian chicken noodles

This is one of the popular Asian noodle recipes. It is a protein-rich, flavorsome delight that brings some change to your child’s daily meals.

You will need:

  • 375g rice noodles
  • ½ cup shredded BBQ chicken
  • ⅓ cup chicken stock
  • 2 eggs (beaten)
  • 1 cup broccoli florets
  • 1 garlic clove (finely sliced)
  • 1tsp ginger (chopped)
  • 2tbsps soy sauce
  • 3tbsps hoisin sauce
  • 2tbsps sesame oil

How to prepare:

  1. Cook the noodles tender, drain excess water, and set aside the cooked noodles. Use your hands to separate the noodles.
  2. Put a frying pan on medium heat, add oil, and fry garlic and ginger for about 20 seconds.
  3. Next, add eggs and cook them for two to three minutes.
  4. After three minutes, turn heat to high, add the noodles and stock, and cook for two minutes.
  5. Add broccoli, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, chicken, and toss the noodles gently two to three times.
  6. Transfer the noodles to a bowl and serve with a glass of fresh lemonade or fruit punch.

9. Noodle and veggie stir-fry

It is best served at lunch or early dinner as one of the quick noodle meals with an irresistible flavor.

You will need:

  • buckwheat soba noodles
  • 2 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1 red bell pepper (chopped)
  • 1 yellow bell pepper (chopped)
  • 1 zucchini (diced)
  • 1 cup fresh spinach (chopped)
  • ¼ cup chives (diced)
  • 3tsps soy sauce (low sodium)
  • 1tbsp toasted sesame seeds
  • 1tsp canola oil
  • 2tsps sesame oil

How to prepare:

  1. Cook the noodles tender, drain the excess water and set aside.
  2. Put a saucepan over medium-high heat, add canola oil, and saute garlic for two to three minutes.
  3. Add peppers, zucchini, spinach, and chives into the pan and cook them for about five minutes or until the veggies turn soft.
  4. Add sesame oil and soy sauce to the veggie mix and cook everything for another two to three minutes.
  5. Add noodles to the mixture and toss thoroughly to mix everything well.
  6. Transfer noodles to a serving plate, sprinkle sesame seeds, spring onions finely chopped and serve immediately.

10. One-pot creamy vegan noodles

It is a delicious kid-approved noodles dish made with nutritious plant-based ingredients.

You will need:

  • 1 pack pre-cooked stir-fry noodles
  • 1 large onion (diced)
  • 1 shallot (diced)
  • 1 bell pepper (diced)
  • 1 zucchini (diced)
  • 1 cup shiitake mushrooms (diced)
  • 2tbsps soy sauce
  • 2tbsps tahini paste
  • 1tbsp sesame seeds and ¼ cup green onions (for garnish)
  • 1tbsp peanut oil

How to prepare:

  1. Heat peanut oil in a thick bottom skillet or wok on medium heat and saute onions and shallots.
  2. Once onions and shallots turn light brown, add bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and stir-fry on high heat until the veggies turn slightly light brown.
  3. Add noodles, soy sauce, and tahini paste to the veggie mix and toss thoroughly two to three times.
  4. Switch off the flame, transfer the noodles to a plate, garnish with green onions and sesame seeds, and serve right away.

11. Salmon Noodle Soup

Salmon Noodle Soup

Image: IStock

You Will Need:

  • 1l low-salt chicken stock
  • 100g rice noodles
  • 1 cup sliced mushrooms
  • ½ cup sliced baby corn
  • 1tsp soy sauce
  • 2tsps Thai red curry paste
  • Two skinless salmon filet
  • Juice of two limes
  • Chopped coriander
  • Pinch of brown sugar

How to prepare:

  1. Take the stock in a large pan and bring it to a boil. Then, add the noodles and Thai red curry paste. Let it cook for around 8 minutes.
  2. Then add corn and mushrooms and let it cook for two more minutes.
  3. In another pan, cook the salmon filet for 3-4 minutes each side and remove it.
  4. Take the cooked salmon in a bowl along with noodles and some stock. Squeeze the lime, sugar, soy sauce and top it off with coriander. Serve warm.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is eating noodles healthy for kids?

According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), it has been shown that the consumption of noodles and pasta has been associated with a better quality of diet. Therefore, its consumption is healthy, provided in limited amounts (1).

2. Why are instant noodles unsafe for my kid?

Consuming instant noodles such as noodle bowls is not considered a safe and healthy option as it contains high amounts of sodium, carbohydrates, and other food additives that lack nutritional value. Their consumption is known to increase the risk of cardiometabolic complicationsiXMultifactorial conditions associated with metabolic and cardiovascular disorders , such as an increase in cholesterol (2).

3. What is the best seasoning for noodles?

“Seasonings are preferential and may vary from person to person. However, for health benefits, I recommend using garlic salt to season your noodles. Garlic has many health benefits, such as antibacterialiXA property of a substance directed towards killing or preventing bacteria from multiplying , antimicrobial, and antioxidativeiXA quality of a substance that aids in protecting the cells from oxidative damage properties. The salt in the garlic salt gives that added salty flavor that many people enjoy. I use this in my noodles, and it tastes great. Other great options include basil and parsley. These herbs have several nutrients and antioxidants in them. They are flavorful and have no negative health effects,” recommends Feder.

4. Can kids eat dry noodles?

Feder suggests, “Kids may eat dry noodles, as there are no health risks besides chokingiXA condition leading to difficulty in breathing due to blockage in the airway and lack of sufficient oxygen . However, dry noodles absorb a lot of fluid in the stomach, so your child must stay hydrated. Otherwise, the dry noodles can cause dehydration. Plain white noodles will not provide much nutrition, so it is best not to make it a habit of eating dry white noodles as a snack or meal.”

Noodles are a favorite option for most children. You can make healthy noodle recipes for kids and make them a part of your child’s well-balanced diet. Preferably use whole wheat or whole grain noodles and add plenty of vegetables, lean meat, nuts, and herbs to add to the recipe’s nutritional value. Use the recipes to sneak in vegetables that children refuse to eat. You can use easy noodle recipes to make quick snacks or meals suitable for any time of the day. In addition, you can experiment with different styles, like Italian noodle recipes, to create unique, healthier, tastier wholesome food that your child would love.

Infographic: Easy Noodle Recipes For Children

Involve your children in gathering ingredients and enjoying the preparation of noodles. Let them help you measure and stir the ingredients and add their favorite toppings and sauces. It will make the experience more enjoyable for them, teach them about cooking, and develop culinary skills. Bon appetit!

easy to make noodles recipes for children (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

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Key Pointers

  • A staple food in many countries, noodles are a versatile and easy-to-cook food option for children.
  • They can be made healthier with the addition of nutritious ingredients such as tofu, vegetables, seeds, meat, and fish and can be combined with a variety of sauces.
  • Whole wheat noodles rank high in taste, fiber, vitamins, minerals, proteins, and have low carbohydrate and calorie content, making them the perfect choice for your growing child.
  • When consuming dry noodles, the child must remain hydrated as dry noodles absorb a lot of fluid in the stomach.
Noodle Recipes For Kids_illustration

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team


Delight your entire family with scrumptious and wholesome noodle recipes designed especially for kids. These quick and easy recipes are bound to satisfy every palate.

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Yanni Papanikolaou; (2020); Pasta Consumption Is Linked to Greater Nutrient Intakes and Improved Diet Quality in American Children and Adults, and Beneficial Weight-Related Outcomes Only in Adult Females; Pubmed Central.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7426435/
  2. Hyun Joon Shin et al; (2014); Instant Noodle Intake and Dietary Patterns Are Associated with Distinct Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Korea; The Journal Of Nutrition.
    https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/144/8/1247/4637708?login=true
  3. Identifying Whole Grain Products.
    https://wholegrainscouncil.org/whole-grains-101/identifying-whole-grain-products
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