The Garden Grazer

Easy Peanut Noodles (20 Minute!)

By 13 Comments

Easy Vegan Peanut Noodles that only take 20 minutes to make! Satisfying, protein-packed, and a perfect quick meal or take-along lunch.

Peanut Noodles in a bowl with fresh cilantro

These creamy, flavorful peanut noodles are a satisfying, protein-packed meal. Plus they only take 20 minutes to assemble. Serve them warm, or chill first to let the flavors develop even further. (I enjoy both ways, but prefer them cold.)

They also make a wonderful take-along lunch served with your favorite vegetables or edamame on the side. I find this dish so pleasantly filling and energizing.

Creamy Peanut Butter Noodles in a bowl topped with cilantro

Ingredients for Peanut Noodles

  • Spaghetti noodles (or your own favorite)
  • Natural peanut butter
  • Maple syrup (or brown sugar)
  • Tamari
  • Fresh lemon or lime juice
  • Garlic
  • Ginger
Small glass jar filled with creamy Thai Peanut Sauce

I absolutely adore the Thai-inspired Peanut Sauce. (We also enjoy it on this Fresh Thai-Style Quinoa Salad.)

Make this dish your own with your favorite additions. Include fresh sugar snap peas, bell pepper, shredded carrot, cabbage, edamame, or baked tofu. I love sprinkling crushed peanuts on top for crunchy texture.

Creamy Thai-style Noodles with peanut butter sauce
Creamy Thai-style Noodles with peanut butter sauce
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4.84 from 24 votes

Easy Peanut Noodles

20-minute easy peanut butter noodles! Satisfying, protein-packed, and a perfect quick meal or take-along lunch.
AuthorKaitlin – The Garden Grazer
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time10 mins
Total Time20 mins
CategoryMain Dish
CuisineGluten-Free Option, Oil-Free, Vegan
Servings4 medium bowls

Ingredients

US Customary – Metric
  • 8 oz. spaghetti noodles (gluten-free if desired)

For the Thai Peanut Sauce:

  • 1/2 cup natural peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)
  • 2 Tbsp. maple syrup or brown sugar (more/less to taste)
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp. tamari (or soy sauce)
  • 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon or lime juice
  • 1-2 cloves garlic
  • 2 tsp. fresh grated ginger (more to taste)
  • Hot water to thin to desired consistency

For serving (optional):

  • Crushed peanuts, sesame seeds, cilantro, fresh lime juice, green onion, sriracha, red pepper flakes

Instructions

  • Cook pasta according to package instructions, taking care not to overcook. Drain when finished.
  • Meanwhile, make the peanut sauce:
    Mince garlic and grate ginger. (I use a microplane grater for ginger.) In a medium/large mixing bowl, add all peanut sauce ingredients except water.
    Heat 3/4 cup water to just under boiling. Add hot water a couple tablespoons at a time, slowly whisking and working the mixture together.
    Continue adding water and whisking until sauce is thin enough to mix the noodles in. (I usually add about 1/2 cup to 2/3 cup hot water.) Adjust flavors if needed.
  • When pasta is cooked and drained, immediately add it to bowl with peanut sauce. Gently toss to combine. (Sauce will thicken further when combined with pasta.)
  • Serve with any desired toppings. Add fresh lime juice or extra tamari for a flavor boost if needed. Great served warm or chilled!

Notes

Made gluten-free with gf pasta and tamari. (I love brown rice/quinoa spaghetti.)
If serving warm, the texture will be more soft & creamy. If serving chilled, it will be drier & sticky.
Smooth or crunchy peanut butter works for this recipe (crunchy will give it more texture).
Other additions: edamame, shredded carrot, cabbage, snow peas, bell pepper, baked tofu, etc.
See more notes & variations of the Thai Peanut Sauce here.

Nutrition Per Serving (Estimate)

Calories: 428 kcalCarbohydrates: 55 gProtein: 16 gFat: 17 gSaturated Fat: 4 gPotassium: 374 mgFiber: 4 gSugar: 9 gVitamin C: 3 mgCalcium: 34 mgIron: 1 mg
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easy peanut noodles photo collage

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Wendy T

    This was really good! Thumbs up from the family. I used rice noodles and added some broccoli for extra crunch.5 stars

    Reply

    • Kaitlin McGinn

      Hi Wendy! Yay! LOVE the rice noodle & broccoli addition – perfect! Thrilled to hear your family enjoyed. Thanks so much for taking the time to come back and leave a message & rating 🙂 Wishing you all a beautiful week! -Kaitlin

      Reply

  2. Onlinecake.in

    This is seriously the best recipe that I have ever made, and quite possibly one of the best ones that I have ever eaten.
    it was fantastic. Thank you!5 stars

    Reply

    • Kaitlin McGinn

      Yay, thrilled to hear you enjoyed it so much! Thanks for the sweet comment – wishing you a beautiful rest of the week! -Kaitlin

      Reply

  6. Marilyn

    Delicious! I’m very new to plant based and make ahead lunches are super important to me for success. The batch I made of this was perfect for this, thank you Kaitlin! I added the scallions and red pepper as suggests and also topped it with shredded carrot and bean sprouts for crunch and color.

    Reply

    • Kaitlin McGinn

      Hi Marilyn! Wonderful to hear that! I’m a big fan of make-ahead and leftovers as well 🙂 So thrilled this worked out for you and I LOVE your carrot & bean sprout addition – yum! Wishing you all the joy on your new plant-based journey! -Kaitlin

      Reply

  7. Veronica

    These Asian peanut noodles are absolutely scrumptious and just bursting with flavor, my sister and I enjoyed them immensely on our girls night in!5 stars

    Reply

    • Kaitlin McGinn

      Yay! Wonderful to hear you both enjoyed, Veronica! Thanks so much for the kind feedback. Wishing you guys great week!

      Reply

  8. Megan

    Delicious and fast! Great way to use leftover spaghetti and have a great dinner in the table in minutes! My 2 year old loved it too (though my picky preschoolers balked). I added shredded carrots and peas and we topped with crushed peanuts and green onion, sriracha for hubby and I.5 stars

    Reply

    • Kaitlin McGinn

      YAY Megan! So great to hear that, thanks so much for your feedback! (And also thanks for sharing your beautiful photo on IG too!) <3 Wishing you all a most lovely week! -Kaitlin

      Reply

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