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Quick & Spicy Peanut Butter Noodles


  • Author: Marlene Quinn
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A quick and flavorful noodle dish with creamy peanut butter, spicy chili, and a medley of fresh vegetables.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz noodles of choice
  • 3 tbsp creamy peanut butter
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 12 tbsp chili paste or sriracha (to taste)
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar or lime juice
  • 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
  • 1/4 cup warm water (more to thin)
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced cucumber
  • 1 cup sautéed mushrooms (optional)
  • 1/4 cup roughly chopped peanuts
  • Cilantro and scallions for garnish
  • Lime wedges, to serve

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the noodles until al dente according to package directions, then drain and reserve a half-cup of pasta water.
  2. While the noodles cook, combine peanut butter, soy sauce, chili paste, rice vinegar (or lime juice), honey, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a bowl. Whisk until smooth, adding warm water a tablespoon at a time to reach a silky sauce consistency.
  3. If using mushrooms, heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a splash of oil. Sauté mushrooms until they release their liquid and brown slightly; season lightly with salt.
  4. Return cooked noodles to the pot or a large mixing bowl. Pour the peanut sauce over the noodles and toss vigorously. If the sauce feels thick, add some reserved pasta water to loosen it and help it cling to the noodles evenly.
  5. Add shredded carrots, cucumber, and sautéed mushrooms. Toss again so the textures intermix. Taste and adjust: add more chile for heat, lime for brightness, or honey for sweetness.
  6. Plate the noodles and finish with chopped peanuts, scallions, cilantro, and a drizzle of sesame oil. Serve with lime wedges.

Notes

For a lighter version, use spiralized zucchini noodles and reduce peanut butter by mixing in silken tofu for creaminess.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Boiling
  • Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 800mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 55g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 14g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: quick noodles, spicy noodles, peanut sauce, vegetarian dinner