Easy Drunken Noodles Recipe Made With 9 Calorie Noodles!

After a night out, we all crave comfort food, and there's nothing more comforting than this easy drunken noodles recipe.

So why are these noodles so tipsy (when they don’t contain any booze)? There are two theories behind the name Pad Kee Mao, which translates to “drunken noodles(Opens an external site in a new window).” The first is that these noodles are the PERFECT dish to enjoy after a long night of…ahem…partying it up. The second theory is that the spicy, salty flavors require many sips between bites, resulting in a bit of a buzz (assuming you’re rinsing it down with a cold one).

Either way, we’re down with these delicious noodles, packed with flavor, keto-friendly, with only 9 calories per bag! Thai drunken noodles are the perfect after-party meal (even if it’s a party of one).

All the Flavor in an Easy Dinner that Beats Takeout

This easy drunken noodle recipe has plenty of yummy sauce. Using It’s Skinny Pasta means you can really indulge in your favorite sauces and toppings. Not only is there zero guilt, but the noodles take on the flavors of your sauce, making them a perfect delivery device.

This recipe includes fish sauce(Opens an external site in a new window) and oyster sauce(Opens an external site in a new window)—you can find both in the Asian foods section of your local grocery store or, better yet, look for a nearby Asian market. Many times, you'll find authentic sauces, beautiful veggies, and exceptional ingredients.

The rest of the ingredients are probably on your pantry shelf already. This recipe calls for brown sugar or honey. You can use another preferred sweetener if needed. The small amount keeps things keto-friendly but adds just enough sweetness to this otherwise umami-packed dish.

Fresno chilis or jalapenos add a little heat. If you're a spice lover, you can turn it up with a little more pepper. Pro-tip: when chopping peppers, taste a tiny piece before adding it to your dish. Omit the seeds to lower the heat

We use chicken in this healthy Thai dish. Breasts are great for a lean option, but thighs have a bit more flavor and tend to make for a juicier meal. You could also use pork or even tofu if you prefer. Experiment to discover the exact combination you love. That’s the great thing about this easy Thai drunken noodles recipe—you can customize it!

Top your Pad Kee Mao with a sprig of Thai basil for the most authentic flavor. If you can't find Thai basil, Italian basil or even cilantro can be a nice swap. Thai basil has a sweet, licorice taste that really hits the right notes in this dish, though, so it's worth seeking out.

Thai Noodles that Won’t Slow You Down

As far as the noodles in this Pad Kee Mao, we use It’s Skinny Pasta Fettuccine. The shape and weight of the noodles perfectly complement this recipe.

If you haven’t tried It’s Skinny Pasta, be prepared to be amazed. These noodles have only 9 calories per bag! They're perfect for any pasta dish, and they really take on the flavor of the sauce and other components.

You’ll find It’s Skinny Pasta on Amazon(Opens an external site in a new window). This is the low-calorie pasta that’s all over TikTok(Opens an external site in a new window). People are blown away by the options, including spaghetti, angel hair, rice-shaped pasta, and the fettuccine noodles in this recipe. You can use It's Skinny in practically any dish.

Better yet, it’s so convenient. There’s no need to boil water, watch the pot, drain, and deal with all the prep. It’s Skinny Pasta is ready to go right out of the bag. All you need to do is open, drain, and heat it up. In the case of these yummy drunken noodles, you add the pasta right along with the sauce, heat, and eat!

You’ll have a company-worthy Thai meal in no time flat—perfect for a weeknight dinner.

The Anatomy of It’s Skinny Pasta

So, 9 calorie noodles? You're skeptical, right? We would be, too—especially because some "healthy pastas" aren't quite as low-cal or low-carb as they claim.

It's Skinny stays that way because it's made out of a fibrous root vegetable called Konjac(Opens in a new window). This humble veggie resembles a turnip or a yam, but it also becomes healthy pasta with a little culinary magic. Konjac is filling but light. It won't leave you feeling sluggish or like you're in a "carb coma."

We love loading all the freshest ingredients—yummy vegetables, delicious proteins, lip-smacking sauces onto our It’s Skinny Noodles. There’s no starvation or deprivation involved, just satisfaction in a 9-calorie bag.

Easy Drunken Noodles Recipe with It’s Skinny Fettuccine

Ready to pre-or-post-game with Pad Kee Mao? Let’s grab a skillet and whip this dinner into shape. It takes just minutes, and you’ll have the perfect bowl of yum!

Note: This recipe serves 4-6 people. It also makes excellent leftovers and the perfect meal for friends! So share the 9-calorie pasta love!