Looking for a ridiculously quick and easy dinner that's packed with flavor? These Noodles with Peanut Sauce are seriously delicious and can be ready in minutes. The recipe serves two, but can easily be doubled or tripled.
(This recipe for Noodles with Peanut Sauce was originally published in May 2011, but was updated with new photos in 2020).
Every weekend for just about the next two months, I have something going on and I'm actually getting a bit overwhelmed just looking at my calendar. Also, hoping I don't forget to show up somewhere! So, this past Friday evening, I was thrilled to not have a single thing to do. Besides make dinner and sip wine. And watch Dateline.
Once I got home, I was starving and wanted to make something for dinner that didn't require a trip to the grocery store, so I checked the pantry and saw a jar of peanut butter staring at me. I remembered buying noodles with peanut sauce for lunch at Trader Joe's recently that were so darn good I immediately started to crave them again, so I decided to recreate them myself.
How to Make Noodles with Peanut Sauce
Peanut sauce is ridiculously easy to make and while there are lots of versions that don't require heating at all (just whisking together ingredients), I find that cooking them over medium heat effectively melds the flavors together and makes the sauce a great consistently.
Plus, there's nothing quite like pouring the warm peanut sauce over a bowl of tender noodles for some delicious low-stress comfort food.
All you have to do is whisk the sauce ingredients together in a medium saucepan. Then place over medium heat until the sauce thickens.
And pour it over the noodles of your choice. Toss to coat noodles.
Serve noodles and top with chopped peanuts, cilantro, and more red hot pepper flakes.
What Kind of Noodles to Serve with Peanut Sauce?
I used rice noodles here, but you could also use soba noodles, udon, or ramen. In fact, you don't have to use an Asian noodle at all and can even use spaghetti, fettuccini, angel hair, or any pasta shape of your choice.
Other Uses for Peanut Sauce
Really, you don't have to use noodles at all to enjoy this peanut sauce! Here a few other ideas for serving it:
- Serve it as a dipping sauce for sautéed or roasted vegetables or chicken satay
- Use it as a stir-fry sauce
- Include it in homemade spring rolls
- Use it as a salad dressing
Potential Additions to Noodles
Sometimes I crave super simple dinners and these noodles with peanut sauce fit the bill. However, there are also lots of ways you can make this dish more of a meal. Herre are a few additions I recommend:
- Grilled chicken
- Shrimp
- Ground pork
- Tofu
- Bell peppers and broccoli
My only regret is that this recipe makes just enough peanut sauce for two servings of well-dressed noodles and after enjoying a bowl, I wanted to put the peanut sauce on everything.
But don't worry because it's easy to make a double or triple batch!
As far as Friday night dinners go, this one is perfection. Simple, flavorful, and very quick. And wonderful for enjoying on the couch with a loved one while watching Dateline.
I should also note that these noodles with peanut sauce pair very well with a chilled glass of white wine or a cold beer.
Happy Friday!! What's your ideal Friday night dinner when you're staying in?
If you like this quick and easy dinner, check out my Quick Vegetable Fried Brown Rice or my Shrimp and Feta Orzo Salad. I can't wait to try these Easy Black Bean and Rice Burritos from Now Cook This!
Noodles with Peanut Sauce
Ingredients
- 8 oz. rice noodles (or noodles of your choice)
- ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup water
- 1 Tbsp light brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp minced ginger
- 1 tsp honey
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes, plus more for topping
- 2 Tbsp crushed peanuts, for topping
- 1 tsp chopped cilantro, for topping
Instructions
- In a large pot filled with salted water, cook noodles according to package’s directions. When finished cooking, drain and place noodles in a large bowl.
- While noodles are cooking, whisk all remaining ingredient (aside from toppings) together in a medium saucepan. Place saucepan over medium heat and cook until the sauce starts to thicken. Remove from heat.
- Add peanut sauce to bowl with cooked noodles. Toss to coat noodles in sauce.
- Serve noodles in individual bowls and top with crushed peanuts, chopped cilantro, and additional red pepper flakes.
Erica says
Yum! LOVE peanut noodles. Have you tried Rachael Ray's hot and cold sesame noodles? Its my go to. Love. I love breakfast for dinner on Friday nights or something italian-ish. Hope you have a good Monday
Blog is the New Black says
I've yet to make a peanut sauce but have been dying to! Looks great!
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
That looks like a perfect dinner! I love any excuse to add peanut butter to a meal:-)
5 Star Foodie says
An excellent simple dinner, the peanut sauce sounds very flavorful.
Jenn's Food Journey says
LOVE peanut sauce over noodles!! YUM! One of my staple Friday night meals is orzo with lemon and whatever herb I have on hand. I'll throw leftover chicken in there or some tuna or if I'm really lucky to have it on hand, some shrimp! Simple is definitely the key!
Sharlene says
Simple and made from pantry ingredients while still tasting fresh is the way to go! I love peanut sauce. I'm excited to try this out!
DessertForTwo says
I've been wanting to make a version of noodles with peanut sauce, but was waiting for a recipe that doesn't require funky ingredients! Thanks so much for this! I can't wait to try it 🙂
lena says
i never had peanut butter in noodles before besides using them for my bakes. thanks for sharing this!
Michelle says
I love those relaxing Friday nights in. I love making pizza on Friday nights because it makes for yummy leftovers throughout the weekend!
Kelly says
It's been forever since I made peanut noodles. I have no good reason since they really are fantastic. I love those kinds of Friday nights in and I'd have to say, lately I'm a fan of a simple no cook meal - a piece of really good cheese (lately I've been swooning over a goat's milk cheese called little Bloom) w/ a chutney or jam and good, crusty bread.
Monique says
I am a lazy girl and make a frittata or defrost leftovers. lol. the peanut dish looks like a great comfort. I have been craving curry for hte longest. maybe i will get some take out for lunch... or do i want noodles??
decisions decisions.
Erica @ In and Around Town says
Love a good recipe for peanut sauce, makes the noodles seem a bit more exotic!
Michelle Collins says
This looks great! I usually make unhealthy dishes on Friday nights in, like pizza, nachos, or something simple like that. Sipping wine is usually on the agenda, too! 😉
rita says
thank goodness for the sunflower butter for people like me who have allergies from peanuts and all tree nuts. i can make this type of recipes using the mentioned spread.
Shannon JP says
Peanut sauce was one of my favorite things when I was a vegan and you've totally inspired me to pick up a lemon on the way home and make some noodles and a stir fry for dinner now!
emily @ the happy home says
yummmm. the last time i made a peanut sauce, it came out really grainy. yours looks so smooth!
Bee says
Where's the sriracha sauce?? I made something very similar for some lettuce wraps (added ginger and two tbs of sriracha), then proceeded to pour it on everything for the next few days. Now that you remind me, I'll have to make it soon, I'm in a spaghetti funk and tend to be overusing marinara, lol.
Kelly says
My gosh I am seriously obsessed with peanut sauce lately and I can NEVER find any at the grocery store that I really love, only at restaurants- so maybe I need to try making it myself. This recipe looks doable even for me haha
Barbara says
This recipe is great--it's just like mine except I add some toasted sesame oil and always use ginger like the recipe suggests! Personally I think ground cayenne instead of red pepper flakes is a wise idea as it spreads the heat a little better.
Kelsey says
Peanut butter is a great love of mine. I always get spicy peanut sauces and things like that.
Quisha says
Mmmm peanut noodles 🙂 Yum!
Janel says
I was planning on baked tofu and roasted broccoli tonight. After reading this, now I know I'm giong to do a broccoli tofu noodle dish in peanut sauce. Thanks for the upgrade!
Athena says
Just tried this out - fan-TASTIC! I love making my own dishes and avoiding the high cost and crazy fat of takeout. THANK YOU!