30-Minute Sweet and Spicy Peanut Noodles
Quick noodles tossed in a creamy, sweet, and spicy peanut sauce with crunchy vegetables for an easy weeknight dinner. This asian-inspired noodles (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs rice noodles, creamy peanut butter, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 oz rice noodles
- 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp sriracha sauce
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 cup grated carrot
- 3 stalks, thinly sliced green onions
- 1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts
- 1 tsp sesame oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook 8 ounces rice noodles according to package instructions, about 5-7 minutes, until tender but firm. Drain and rinse under cold water, then set aside.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce, 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 teaspoon sesame oil until smooth and well combined.
- Step 3: Toss the cooked noodles with the peanut sauce until evenly coated. Add 1 cup grated carrot and 3 thinly sliced green onions, stirring gently to combine.
- Step 4: Serve noodles topped with 1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts for crunch and extra flavor. Optionally garnish with additional lime wedges or fresh cilantro.
Frequently asked questions
How long does 30-Minute Sweet and Spicy Peanut Noodles take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover 30-Minute Sweet and Spicy Peanut Noodles?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep rice noodles from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in 30-Minute Sweet and Spicy Peanut Noodles?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale 30-Minute Sweet and Spicy Peanut Noodles for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is 30-Minute Sweet and Spicy Peanut Noodles vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.