Step-by-Step Guide to Making Sesame Noodles

You’ll be amazed at how quickly this incredible dinner comes together. Follow these simple steps for a truly rewarding culinary experience:

1. Prepare the Noodles:

• Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Remember, the water should taste like the ocean for perfectly seasoned pasta.
• Add your spaghetti noodles (or choice of pasta) and cook according to package directions, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
• **Optional Asparagus:** If adding asparagus, snap off the woody ends and chop them into bite-sized pieces. Add them to the boiling noodles during the last 2 minutes of cooking. This ensures they are tender-crisp.
• Once the noodles are al dente (firm to the bite), immediately drain them in a colander.
• Rinse with Cold Water: This is a crucial step for cold noodles! Rinse the pasta and asparagus thoroughly with cold water for at least a minute, tossing with your hands. This cools them rapidly, stops the cooking process, and removes excess starch, preventing the sauce from becoming gloopy. Continue until the noodles are completely cold.
• Drain well, then transfer the cold noodles and asparagus to a large serving bowl. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of sesame oil and toss gently to coat. This adds flavor and prevents sticking. Set aside.

2. Blend the Phenomenal Sauce:

• For the smoothest sauce, a blender is highly recommended. Add all sauce ingredients: soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, peanut butter (non-natural works best for consistency), toasted sesame seeds, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, and Sriracha.
• Ginger & Garlic Prep: For ginger, you can use the back of a spoon to easily scrape off the skin. For garlic, a quick smash with the side of a chef’s knife makes peeling a breeze.
• Add 1 tablespoon of water to start. Blend for 1-2 minutes until completely smooth and creamy. If the sauce appears too thick, add another tablespoon or two of water until it reaches your desired consistency.
• **Cilantro in the Sauce (Optional):** While not traditional, a generous handful of fresh cilantro sprigs blended into the sauce adds a wonderful depth and freshness. If you’re not a fan of cilantro, simply omit it.

3. Prepare Your Fresh Vegetables:

The beauty of this dish is in its vibrant crunch! You can add as many or as few raw vegetables as you like. For the recipe pictured, here’s how to prepare a delicious medley:

• Cucumber: Halve an English cucumber lengthwise. Using a spoon, gently scrape out the watery, seedy centers to prevent the noodles from becoming soggy. Then, slice each half lengthwise again and chop into bite-sized pieces. Add to the noodle bowl.
• Bell Pepper: For easy chopping, stand the bell pepper upright and slice down from the top, avoiding the ribs and seeds. Chop the resulting strips into thirds and add to the noodles.
• Carrots: Add 1 cup of pre-shredded carrots, or peel and shred about 3 small carrots using a box grater. Add to the noodle bowl.
• Green Onions: Chop about 1/2 cup of green onions, cutting on a bias for a pretty presentation. Add to the bowl.
• Cilantro: Chop about 1/3 cup of fresh cilantro (if not blended into the sauce) and add to the bowl.

4. Assemble and Serve:

• Once all your vegetables are prepped and added to the noodle bowl, pour the freshly blended sesame peanut sauce over everything.
• Using tongs, toss gently but thoroughly until every strand of noodle and every piece of vegetable is beautifully coated in the creamy, flavorful sauce.
• Dish into individual bowls or plates. Garnish generously with extra chopped cilantro, green onions, and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. A final drizzle of sesame oil just before serving adds an extra layer of aroma and flavor.
• Dig in and savor the taste of effortless summer! Any leftovers store wonderfully in the fridge, making for quick and easy lunches for days.

Boost Your Bowl: Hearty Add-ins for Sesame Noodles

While delicious on its own, cold sesame noodles are also a fantastic base for adding more protein and making it an even heartier meal. Here are some fantastic additions to consider:

• Poached Egg: A perfectly poached egg, with its runny yolk, adds a rich creaminess and protein to each bite.
• Crispy Tofu: For a plant-based protein boost, add some pan-fried or baked crispy tofu cubes. Their texture provides a delightful contrast to the soft noodles.
• Chicken: Shredded rotisserie chicken stirred directly into the noodles makes for an incredibly quick and easy meal. Alternatively, serve pan-seared chicken breast or thighs on the side, perhaps with extra sauce for dipping.
• Shrimp: Cooked shrimp, tossed with the noodles, offers a light yet satisfying protein option that’s perfect for summer.
• Fish Sticks: Don’t knock it ’til you try it! High-quality fish sticks, like Gorton’s, can be a surprisingly delicious pairing. Serve them on the side and use the sesame sauce as a fantastic dip.
• Pasta Salad Style: Swap the spaghetti for other short pasta shapes like penne, farfalle, or corkscrew noodles. Add extra raw vegetables and serve this as a refreshing pasta salad, perfect for potlucks or barbecues.

For an elevated summer dinner, consider serving these noodles alongside PF Chang’s Lettuce Wraps – a truly dreamy combination!

Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Cold Sesame Noodles

Complement your cold sesame noodles with these delightful side dishes:

• Sriracha Garlic Bread: A spicy, Asian-inspired twist on classic garlic bread.
• Asian Marinated Cucumber Salad: Incredibly light and refreshing, ideal for warm weather.
• Thai Cucumber Salad: A quick-pickled salad that adds a zesty contrast to any summer meal.
• Oven Roasted Broccoli: Garlicky and lemony, it’s almost good enough to steal the show.
• 10 Minute Sautéed Zucchini and Squash Side Dish: A quick and delicious way to use up abundant summer squash.

Serving Sesame Noodles as a Delightful Side

These versatile sesame noodles also make an excellent side dish, whether you include extra vegetables or keep them simple. They pair beautifully with a variety of main courses:

• Asian Seared Chicken with Stir-Fried Green Beans: A flavorful main dish that already includes veggies, so you can keep the noodles simple.
• PF Chang’s Lettuce Wraps: An amazing copycat recipe that’s both delicious and healthy.
• Slow Cooker Asian Pork Tenderloin: A great summer option that won’t heat up your kitchen.
• Thai Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce: Provides the perfect amount of delicious protein to complement the noodles.
• Thai Lettuce Wraps with Crispy Fish and Peanut Sauce: Super easy, light, and full of flavor.

Sesame noodles are a delicious dish typically featuring ramen or thin spaghetti noodles, coated in a savory garlic sesame peanut sauce, and garnished with toasted sesame seeds. While traditionally simple, many versions (including this one!) incorporate fresh vegetables and sometimes protein to create a more complete and flavorful meal.

Making sesame noodles is incredibly easy! The process involves cooking your chosen noodles (like spaghetti) until al dente, quickly rinsing them with cold water, blending a vibrant sauce (often with soy sauce, peanut butter, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic), and then tossing the cold noodles and any desired fresh vegetables with the sauce. Garnish and serve immediately!

Sesame noodles can certainly be part of a healthy diet! The health benefits largely depend on the specific ingredients and portion sizes. When made with plenty of fresh, raw vegetables, they offer fiber, vitamins, and minerals. If you’re managing carb intake, consider lighter noodle alternatives like zucchini noodles (zoodles). For most individuals, a serving of sesame noodles with a generous amount of vegetables is a balanced and satisfying main or side dish.

Yes, traditional sesame noodles, made with pasta like spaghetti, are primarily carbohydrate-based. Pasta is a good source of energy. If you are looking for a lower-carb option, you can reduce your portion size of noodles or substitute traditional pasta with vegetable-based alternatives such as zucchini noodles, spiralized cucumber, or shirataki noodles.