Description
A creamy, savory, and spicy vegan noodle dish made with pantry staples in just 20 minutes. This recipe uses peanut butter, sesame oil, and soy sauce for a rich sauce that comes together faster than takeout.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (225g) noodles (whole wheat spaghetti, brown rice noodles, or ramen noodles without flavor packet)
- 1/2 cup (120g) natural creamy peanut butter
- 2 tbsp (30ml) toasted sesame oil
- 3 tbsp (45ml) low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tbsp (15ml) unseasoned rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp (15ml) maple syrup
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh grated ginger
- 1/2 cup hot pasta water (reserved from boiling)
- Optional toppings: sliced green onions, crushed peanuts, sesame seeds, fresh cilantro, chili oil or sriracha
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add noodles and cook according to package directions until al dente (8-10 minutes).
- Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water and set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine peanut butter, sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup, minced garlic, and grated ginger.
- Whisk the mixture until thick. Slowly drizzle in about 1/4 cup of the hot pasta water while whisking vigorously until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Add more pasta water if needed to reach a pourable consistency.
- Drain the noodles and add them directly to the bowl with the sauce. Toss everything together with tongs or a large spoon.
- If desired, stir in chili oil or sriracha for heat.
- Divide noodles into bowls and top with green onions, crushed peanuts, sesame seeds, and fresh cilantro. Serve immediately.
Notes
Use toasted sesame oil for the best flavor. Do not skip the pasta water; it is essential for emulsifying the sauce. For meal prep, store sauce and noodles separately to prevent sogginess. Do not freeze this dish as the texture of the noodles will suffer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 4 oz
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 65
- Fiber: 6
- Protein: 20
Keywords: vegan, peanut noodles, sesame noodles, quick dinner, weeknight meal, gluten-free option, plant-based, 20 minute recipe, noodle bowl