Description
These Spicy Thai Noodles with Peanut Sauce offer a vibrant and flavorful meal featuring tender spaghetti tossed with fresh bell pepper, cucumber, carrots, green onions, and cilantro. The dish is elevated by a rich, creamy, and slightly spicy peanut sauce that balances sweetness, zest, and heat. Garnished with crunchy roasted peanuts and optional sesame seeds, this easy-to-make recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a refreshing lunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 12 oz dry spaghetti
Vegetables
- 1 large red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips then cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded, and sliced into thin strips then cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 cup matchstick carrots
- 3/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
Peanut Sauce
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup warm water
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 2 Tbsp Sriracha (more or less to taste)
- 2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 1/2 Tbsp peeled and minced fresh ginger
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
Garnish
- 1/2 cup lightly salted roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
- Sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly once cooked.
- Prepare Peanut Sauce: While the pasta cooks, combine the creamy peanut butter, warm water, soy sauce, honey, Sriracha, fresh lime juice, minced ginger, minced garlic, and sesame oil in a mixing bowl. Whisk continuously until the ingredients are fully blended and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Toss Noodles and Sauce: Transfer the cooked and drained spaghetti into a large serving bowl. Pour the prepared peanut sauce over the noodles and toss well to evenly coat the pasta with the sauce.
- Add Vegetables and Peanuts: Add the sliced red bell pepper, cucumber, matchstick carrots, chopped green onions, chopped cilantro, and roughly chopped roasted peanuts to the bowl. Toss lightly to distribute the vegetables and peanuts without bruising them.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired for extra texture and flavor. Serve immediately for the freshest taste and crunch.
Notes
- These Thai noodles are easy to prepare and packed with bold, fresh flavors.
- The creamy peanut sauce provides a delightful balance of sweet, savory, spicy, and tangy notes.
- Adjust the spiciness by modifying or omitting the Sriracha to suit your taste preferences.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute the spaghetti and soy sauce with gluten-free alternatives.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and are best enjoyed within 1-2 days; toss before serving to refresh the flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/5 of recipe)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
