Sautéed Thai Peanut Noodles with Crisp Vegetables
A vibrant bowl of rice noodles tossed in a savory peanut sauce, complemented by crunchy bell peppers and fresh cilantro. This thai-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs rice noodles, peanut butter, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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
- 3 tbsp peanut butter
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, grated
- 1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 medium carrot, julienned
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 1/4 cup cilantro leaves, chopped
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 1/4 cup crushed peanuts
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz rice noodles and cook for 4-5 minutes until tender but firm, then drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp peanut butter, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp lime juice, 1 tbsp honey, and 1/4 cup water until smooth and set aside.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp grated ginger, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 1 thinly sliced red bell pepper and 1 julienned carrot to the skillet, stir-frying for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp.
- Step 5: Add the drained noodles to the skillet along with the peanut sauce. Toss well to combine and heat through for 2 minutes until the sauce coats the noodles evenly.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 3 sliced green onions and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves.
- Step 7: Serve garnished with 1/4 cup crushed peanuts for crunch.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Thai Peanut Noodles with Crisp Vegetables 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 Sautéed Thai Peanut Noodles with Crisp Vegetables?
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 Sautéed Thai Peanut Noodles with Crisp Vegetables?
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 Sautéed Thai Peanut Noodles with Crisp Vegetables 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 Sautéed Thai Peanut Noodles with Crisp Vegetables 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The peanut sauce was perfectly balanced and the veggies stayed crunchy—my kids even asked for seconds! Best takeout copycat ever.
- ★★★★★
Easy weeknight meal that impressed my husband. The garlic and ginger in the sauce made it authentic without extra work.
- ★★★★☆
Loved the flavors but the sauce was slightly bland for my taste—next time I'll double the peanuts. Still a family favorite.