Description
This Cold Sesame Noodles recipe features tender spaghettini tossed in a creamy, flavorful sesame dressing made with peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and a hint of spice from sriracha. Served chilled and garnished with fresh green onions and optional toppings, it’s a perfect, refreshing meal or side dish for warm days.
Ingredients
Scale
Noodles
- 12 ounces spaghettini (or thin long pasta)
Sesame Dressing
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 4 teaspoons sesame oil
- 4 teaspoons honey
- 2 teaspoons sriracha (or to taste)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
- 6 tablespoons warm water (more if needed)
For Serving
- 2 green onions (sliced)
- Toppings as desired (such as toasted sesame seeds, crushed peanuts, shredded carrots, cucumber slices, or chopped cilantro)
Instructions
- Cook the noodles: Cook the spaghettini according to the package instructions until tender. Drain the noodles well and rinse under cold water to immediately stop the cooking process and cool them down. Set aside.
- Make the dressing: While the noodles cook, whisk together the creamy peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, sriracha, minced garlic, and grated fresh ginger in a medium bowl until the mixture is smooth.
- Adjust dressing consistency: Gradually add warm water to the dressing, a little at a time, whisking continuously until the sauce reaches a pourable and easy-to-toss consistency.
- Toss noodles with dressing: Add the cold noodles to the bowl with the sesame dressing and toss thoroughly to ensure every strand is evenly coated with the sauce.
- Chill to blend flavors: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the noodles for at least 30 minutes. This resting time helps the flavors meld together beautifully.
- Finish and serve: Before serving, stir in sliced green onions and garnish with your choice of toppings such as toasted sesame seeds or crushed peanuts for extra crunch and flavor.
Notes
- Use spaghettini or any thin long pasta for best texture and to absorb the dressing well.
- Adjust sriracha quantity according to your preferred spice level.
- Optional toppings like shredded carrots, cucumber slices, toasted sesame seeds, crushed peanuts, or fresh cilantro make great additions for variety and texture.
- If the dressing seems too thick, add more warm water gradually until desired consistency is reached.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta and tamari or gluten-free soy sauce.
