Forget the Extras—These 15 Dishes Are the Only Thing You’ll Want

Some meals don’t need sides or extras—they stand perfectly on their own. These dishes are bold, satisfying, and all about simplicity. From noodles to enchiladas, each recipe is packed with enough flavor to be the star of the table. Why complicate dinner when these options have everything you need? Skip the extras and let these dishes do the talking.

Low angle shot of chicken enchiladas on a plate with salad. — Chicken Enchiladas. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Hoisin Beef

A white bowl with rice and hoisin ground beef and chopsticks on the side. — Hoisin Beef. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Tender beef slices coated in a sweet and savory hoisin sauce make for a dish that’s rich, bold, and perfect served over rice.
Get the Recipe: Hoisin Beef

Beijing Noodles

A bowl of noodles with sauce, garnished with sliced cucumbers, carrots, and bean sprouts. Using chopsticks, someone is lifting a portion of noodles. The dish is served in a white bowl, set on a light-colored table with a textured napkin nearby. — Beijing Noodles. Photo credit: All The Noodles.

Chewy noodles are tossed in a flavorful bean paste sauce with ground pork and fresh vegetables for a simple yet satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Beijing Noodles

Bang Bang Shrimp

Plate of rice topped with shrimp in sauce, garnished with chopped tomatoes and green onions, with chopsticks on the side. Another similar plate and vegetables in the background. — Bang Bang Shrimp. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Crispy fried shrimp tossed in a creamy, sweet, and spicy sauce create a dish that’s perfect as a starter or main course.
Get the Recipe: Bang Bang Shrimp

Cold Soba Noodles with Chicken and Peanut Sauce

A colorful salad in a striped bowl, featuring mixed vegetables such as red bell peppers and shredded cabbage, garnished with crushed nuts and fresh herbs. A fork is seen lifting a portion, emphasizing the dish's vibrant, fresh ingredients. — Cold Soba Noodles with Chicken and Peanut Sauce. Photo credit: All The Noodles.

Chilled soba noodles and tender chicken are coated in a nutty peanut sauce for a light yet flavorful dish.
Get the Recipe: Cold Soba Noodles with Chicken and Peanut Sauce

Thai Turkey Meatballs

Juicy turkey meatballs with Thai-inspired spices are served with a tangy dipping sauce, making them a standout meal or appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Thai Turkey Meatballs

Szechuan Shrimp

Shrimp cooked in a spicy Szechuan sauce deliver bold heat and savory flavor that’s great with rice or noodles.
Get the Recipe: Szechuan Shrimp

Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce

Grilled chicken skewers with sauce and garnished with chopped herbs, served on a rectangular white plate. — Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Grilled chicken skewers paired with a creamy peanut dipping sauce make for a dish that’s simple and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce

Want to save this recipe?

✨ We'll sent it straight to your inbox! ✨

Chicken Enchiladas

Soft tortillas stuffed with seasoned chicken and topped with a rich enchilada sauce are baked to perfection for a satisfying dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Enchiladas

Samosas

Low angle shot of a samosa cut in half so that you can see the potato filling inside. — Samosas. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Crisp pastry shells filled with spiced potatoes and peas make these samosas an irresistible snack or side dish.
Get the Recipe: Samosas

Creamy Gochujang Pasta

A pan of ramen noodles with mushrooms, greens, and a creamy sauce, served with chopsticks. — Creamy Gochujang Pasta. Photo credit: All The Noodles.

Spicy gochujang meets creamy pasta in this fusion dish that’s equal parts comforting and exciting.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Gochujang Pasta

Soba Noodles Miso Soup

A bowl of soba noodles in broth, topped with fried tofu, broccolini, carrot spirals, and sliced mushrooms. Chopsticks rest on the bowl, and sesame seeds are sprinkled over the dish. — Soba Noodles Miso Soup. Photo credit: All The Noodles.

Warm miso broth and tender soba noodles come together with fresh vegetables for a simple and comforting soup.
Get the Recipe: Soba Noodles Miso Soup

Quick Stir-Fry Beef Yakisoba

A close-up of a bowl of stir-fried noodles with vegetables and slices of meat, garnished with sesame seeds. A hand is using chopsticks to pick up the noodles. Other bowls and a cutting board are partially visible in the background. — Quick Stir-Fry Beef Yakisoba. Photo credit: All The Noodles.

Beef and vegetables are stir-fried with yakisoba noodles in a savory sauce for a quick and flavorful meal.
Get the Recipe: Quick Stir-Fry Beef Yakisoba

Shrimp Yaki Udon Noodles

A bowl of shrimp lo mein with noodles, shrimp, and vegetables, topped with green onion slices. Chopsticks are placed on top of the dish. The bowl has a patterned design on the inside rim. — Shrimp Yaki Udon Noodles. Photo credit: All The Noodles.

Thick udon noodles and shrimp are stir-fried with a savory soy-based sauce for a dish that’s filling and satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Shrimp Yaki Udon Noodles

Scallion Noodles

A close-up of a pan filled with stir-fried noodles. A pair of chopsticks is lifting a portion of the noodles, which are mixed with small pieces of meat and green vegetables. The dish appears appetizing and is set on a woven mat. — Scallion Noodles. Photo credit: All The Noodles.

Simple yet bold, these noodles are tossed with a scallion-infused oil for a dish that focuses on flavor and texture.
Get the Recipe: Scallion Noodles

Pork Belly Banh Mi

Crispy pork belly, pickled vegetables, and a tangy sauce come together in a crusty baguette for a sandwich that stands out.
Get the Recipe: Pork Belly Banh Mi

Robin Donovan

Founder, Writer, Recipe Developer at All The Noodles

Robin Donovan is an AP syndicated writer, recipe developer, food photographer, and author of more than 40 cookbooks including the bestsellers Ramen Obsession and Ramen for Beginners. Her work is featured by major media outlets including Huffington Post, MSN, Chicago Sun-Times, Orlando Sentinel, Buzzfeed, Cooking Light, Mercury News, Seattle Times, Pop Sugar, and many others. More about Robin