Description
Spicy Sesame Noodles are a flavorful and easy-to-make dish featuring tender spaghetti tossed in a spicy, savory sesame sauce with a hint of sweetness. Enhanced with crunchy peanuts, fresh cilantro, green onions, and toasted sesame seeds, this versatile recipe can be enjoyed warm or chilled. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing potluck dish.
Ingredients
Noodles
- 1 pound spaghetti (or egg noodles, ramen noodles, etc.)
Sauce
- 1/2 cup sesame oil
- 1/3 cup avocado oil or canola oil
- 2 tsp. red pepper chili flakes
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 heaping cup honey
- 2 Tbsp. chili garlic sauce (or your favorite chili crunch)
- 2 tsp. rice vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. cornstarch + 1 Tbsp. water (optional, for thickening)
Toppings
- 3/4 cup unsalted roasted peanuts, chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 cup green onions, chopped
- 2 Tbsp. toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Cook the noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti or your noodle of choice according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and transfer noodles to a large mixing bowl.
- Prepare the chili oil: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine sesame oil, avocado or canola oil, and red pepper chili flakes. Heat for a few minutes until the chili flakes begin to pop and infuse the oil with spice. The longer the flakes pop, the spicier the oil becomes.
- Add the sauce ingredients: Reduce the heat to low and stir in soy sauce, honey, chili garlic sauce, and rice vinegar. Mix well and bring to a gentle simmer to meld the flavors.
- Thicken the sauce (optional): If you prefer a thicker sauce, whisk together 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water to create a slurry. Slowly add the slurry to the simmering sauce while stirring continuously. Add more slurry if desired for a thicker consistency.
- Combine noodles and sauce: Pour the prepared sauce over the cooked noodles and toss well to coat all strands evenly.
- Add toppings: Mix in chopped peanuts, fresh cilantro, green onions, and toasted sesame seeds. Toss everything again until fully incorporated.
- Serve and garnish: Garnish with extra sesame seeds and green onions as desired. Serve warm or chilled according to preference. Adjust seasoning if needed and enjoy!
Notes
- Use any type of noodle you prefer such as egg noodles, ramen, or rice noodles as alternatives to spaghetti.
- The spiciness can be adjusted by controlling the amount of red pepper flakes and chili garlic sauce.
- For a gluten-free version, use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce and gluten-free noodles.
- The sauce can be thickened or kept thin depending on your texture preference.
- This dish can be served warm or chilled, making it great for meal prep or picnics.
