Sweet Potato Noodles with Spinach Recipe | Easy Vegetarian Dinner Idea (2024)

FAQs

Are sweet potato noodles healthy? ›

Although there is not much added nutrition from eating sweet potato noodles, they only have 70 calories, making them a good option for those trying to cut calories. If protein and vegetables are added to sweet potato noodles, they can definitely be beneficial in keeping calories low but still having a balanced meal.

Japchae is served either hot off the pan or cold from the fridge. I like it semi-chilled from the fridge when I eat it with my hot and steamy Korean BBQ at home or at the restaurant because it's a nice balance. I love eating this with Korean potato salad, kalbi, Korean purple rice, and spicy pork bulgogi.

Before cooking sweet potato noodles, it is important to soften and hydrate them. Start by soaking the noodles in warm water for approximately 20-30 minutes until they become pliable and slightly transparent. Then, rinse them under cold water to remove any excess starch.

Noodle substitution: If you cannot find sweet potato noodles, feel free to just use rice noodles (or whatever your preferred noodle may be). Gluten-free option: If making this recipe gluten-free, sub in tamari in place of soy sauce, and ensure that your sweet potato noodles are certified gluten-free.

Both white potatoes and sweet potatoes actually have more vitamins and minerals to offer than pasta. Between the two, sweet potatoes are the best option. As you can see from the chart below, the amounts of vitamin A and C in sweet potatoes are excellent, and the extra fiber is a bonus.

Absolutely. Besides their health benefits, sweet potatoes are a great addition to any weight loss diet. First up, they're very high in fibre — especially soluble fibre. Soluble fibre is excellent because it slows down your digestion and helps you feel full, which can curb the urge to snack between meals.

The beauty of japchae is that you can eat it hot, room temperature, or even cold. It makes a great on-the-go lunch, as the noodles don't get soggy and there's a nice balance of vegetables and starch. This dish is also nice for potlucks, as it doesn't have to be served hot.

Japchae is commonly served as a banchan (side dish), though it may also be eaten as a main dish. It is sometimes served on a bed of rice: with rice, it is known as japchae-bap (잡채밥).

Japchae is traditionally made for parties or celebrations, but I like to make it for a light lunch or part of a big dinner. Dried sweet potato noodles can be found in most Asian supermarkets. They are incredibly chewy but healthy and delicious.

Sweet potato "noodles" (spiralized sweet potatoes) are a nutritious, gluten-free alternative to starchy rice or wheat noodles. Look for them in the produce department of your supermarket. If you have a spiralizer, you can certainly make your own "swoodles" (start with 2 medium sweet potatoes).

How long do cooked sweet potato noodles last? ›

You can make noodles in advance, they should keep for 5-7 days in the fridge, without sauce.

Butternut Squash: Similar to sweet potatoes in flavor and texture, butternut squash is a good low-carb alternative. It contains less than 12 grams of carbs and is high in nutrients such as vitamins A and C, magnesium, and potassium.

The noodles & sauce

Japchae noodles – The noodles used in Japchae are dried sweet potato noodles called dangmyeon. They are made from sweet potato starch and are almost transparent when cooked. It's like the Korean version of glass noodles!

If you still aren't sure, an easy trick to tell the difference between sweet potatoes and yams is to look for eyes on the skin. Yams develop eyes or buds just like a regular potato, but a sweet potato does not. Instead, sweet potatoes may have fine roots on their skin, just like beets or carrots.

Although this recipe is not a carb free recipe it is a healthier alternative to having just plain pasta. 1 cup of spiralized sweet potatoes has 114 calories, 27 grams of carbohydrates and 4 grams of fiber. 1 Cup of plain pasta contains 220 calories, 43 grams of carbs and 3 grams of fiber.

Foods containing fiber and starches also often packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, all nutrients that are beneficial to our body. Examples of complex carbs include: Potatoes and sweet potatoes.

Tip. Sweet potatoes can cause gas because they contain a carbohydrate that some people have difficulty digesting, which may explain your tummy troubles with the nutritious tuber.