Dan Dan Ground Turkey Noodles — Simplified (25 min)

The 25-minute version of a classic Sichuan street noodle. The trick is timing: water goes on the moment you walk in, sauce gets whisked in a bowl while the turkey browns, and everything comes together in one pan. Ground turkey works beautifully here — leaner than pork, it takes the peanut-sesame sauce just as well. The sauce is the dish: natural peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, chili garlic sauce, fresh garlic and ginger, loosened with warm water until glossy and pourable. Toss with noodles, top with scallion, julienned cucumber, and crushed peanuts.

Ingredients

• 1 lb 93% lean ground turkey
• WW spaghetti (cook per package directions, 8–9 min)
• Thinly sliced scallion, for topping
• Julienned cucumber, for topping
• 1 tbsp crushed roasted peanuts per person, for topping
• Dan Dan Sauce (whisk in a bowl while turkey browns)
• 3 tbsp natural peanut butter
• 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
• 1.5 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
• 1 tbsp chili garlic sauce (adjust to preference)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced
• 2–3 tbsp warm water (to thin until pourable)

Preparation 

1. Fill a large pot with water, put on high heat to boil.
2. Heat a large pan over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and break into fine crumbles as it cooks, 7–8 minutes. No need to drain 93% lean. 
3. While turkey cooks: In a small bowl whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, chili garlic sauce, garlic, and ginger. Add warm water 1 tbsp at a time until the sauce is smooth and pourable. 
4. When water boils, cook WW spaghetti per package. Drain.
5. Add drained noodles to the turkey pan. Pour sauce over everything. Toss to coat. Divide into bowls. Top each with sliced scallion, julienned cucumber, and 1 tbsp crushed peanuts. 
6. Pack extra turkey and noodles for Tuesday lunch before eating — the sauce deepens overnight.

Notes

Portions: Him & Son: 5oz Dan Dan turkey + ¾ cup WW noodles + sauce + scallion + cucumber + crushed peanuts (~620 cal) | Her: 3.5oz Dan Dan turkey + ½ cup WW noodles + sauce + scallion + cucumber + peanuts (~420 cal)