This recipe originally appeared on our sister site: Simply Whisked.
Why we love these peanut noodles
I absolutely adore peanut sauces. I have already published at least four other recipes containing some form of peanut sauce, and believe me, there have been many more recipes test out behind the scenes. There’s just something about it that I can’t stop craving.
So when Marc was on the road a few weeks ago, I raided my cabinets for the ingredients and whipped up a batch of quick peanut noodles. I decided not to bother with vegetables or meat, and I made myself a big heaping bowl of nutty, slightly spicy noodles. They are literally the easiest thing ever.
To make things even easier, I didn’t even bother to warm the sauce. I just whisked the ingredients together in a bowl while I cooked the pasta. Once it was strained, I tossed everything back in the same bowl and mixed it all up. It doesn’t get much simpler than that.
– Melissa + Theresa
→ More pasta recipes: spicy miso pasta / creamy pasta carbonara / lemon anchovy spaghetti / Mexican spaghetti
Ingredient notes:
- Soy sauce – If you want to make this gluten free, swap it out for tamari, and make sure you’re using gluten free or rice noodles.
- Brown sugar – You can swap this out for honey or agave.
- Crushed red pepper flakes – This is really just to add heat, so a chile paste or Sriracha will work great. Whatever you have will work.
- Peanut butter – We typically use a creamy natural peanut butter for this recipe, but we prefer it to be a no-stir natural. It’s just easier to incorporate into the sauce, but you can use whatever you already have in your pantry.
Making changes to a recipe can result in recipe failure. Any substitutions listed below are simple changes that I believe will work in this recipe, but results are not guaranteed.
Our favorite recipe tips:
- Cook your pasta to al dente. Al dente means the pasta still has a slight bite to it — not mushy, not crunchy. Start checking a minute or two before the package says it’s done. It will continue to cook slightly after draining.
- Heat up your peanut butter. We like to add the peanut butter to the bowl first and heat it in the microwave for 15 – 30 seconds to make it easier to mix.
The Pasta Twins always say save a little pasta water before draining your pasta. It helps your sauce bind to the pasta and it can help thicken or thin the sauce to your liking – thanks to the magic starches!
Frequently asked questions
What to serve with Thai peanut noodles?
Thai peanut noodles are great as-is but you can serve yours with some cooked chicken breasts, sliced bell peppers, red cabbage, sesame seeds, salted peanuts or even some green onions. All of them add a little “something extra” to the dish and taste incredible!
What noodles to use in this Asian dish?
You can use any noodles that you have on hand, but I find that spaghetti noodles are great. Mostly because it’s easy to keep them on hand and it’s pretty close to what you’d get in a restaurant. You could also use rice noodles or ramen noodles if you have those on hand.
Can I use crunchy peanut butter in the sauce?
Yes, you could. You can use smooth or chunky depending on your preferences. If you’re looking for a peanut crunch you could also use smooth peanut butter and a handful of crushed peanuts
Do you eat Thai peanut noodles cold or hot?
Either one! While the dish tastes great warm and fresh, there’s nothing wrong with grabbing a cold bowl of cooked noodles from the fridge for a fast snack or meal.
More easy pasta recipes
For even more pasta recipes, check out our recipe index!
Thai Peanut Noodles
Ingredients
- 8 ounces spaghetti or linguini pasta
- 1/3 cup natural peanut butter (slightly warmed in microwave to make whisking easier)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 large garlic clove (minced)
- 1/2 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh cilantro leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients.
- When pasta is cooked and drained, return to pot with sauce and toss until pasta is evenly coated and sauce has warmed.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
My husband and I love this pasta dish! It’s very easy to make and we can add veggies whenever we feel like it. Thanks for sharing this recipe!