Spicy-Sweet Sambal Pork Noodles

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 lb ground pork, divided
• 1 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled, cut into thin matchsticks or finely chopped
• 8 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 2 Tbsp tomato paste
• 2 sprigs basil, plus more for serving
• 1/3 cup hot chili paste, such as sambal oelek
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup unseasoned rice vinegar
• 1 1/2 lb fresh ramen noodles or 16 oz dried spaghetti
• Kosher salt
• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large wide heavy pot over medium-high heat.
2. Add half of the pork to the pot, breaking apart into 6 to 8 large chunks with a wooden spoon. Cook, undisturbed, until well browned underneath, about 5 minutes.
3. Turn pieces and continue to cook, turning occasionally, until pork is browned on 2 to 3 sides, about 5 minutes longer.
4. Add ginger, garlic, sugar, and remaining pork to the pot and cook, breaking up pork into small clumps, until meat is nearly cooked through, about 5 minutes longer.
5. Add tomato paste and 2 basil sprigs. Cook, stirring occasionally, until paste darkens, about 2 minutes.
6. Add chili paste, soy sauce, vinegar, and 2 cups water. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and cook, uncovered and stirring occasionally, until sauce is slightly thickened and flavors have melded, 30 to 45 minutes.
7. Cook noodles in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until 1 minute short of al dente.
8. Add noodles to the pot with sauce along with butter and a splash of pasta cooking liquid. Simmer, tossing occasionally, until sauce begins to cling to noodles, about 1 minute. Pluck out basil sprigs.
9. Divide noodles among plates. Top with torn basil.