This peanut pasta recipe takes less than 30 minutes to make! It’s a quick and easy plant-based dinner with crunchy veggies and a flavorful peanut sauce.
Confession: Alex and I are of course among the people who start cooking if you are hungry, not until. (Oops!) The artistic side of both of us flinches at the words “plan ahead.” Our practical, sensible selves have no problem planning long-term financial security, but planning dinner for Thursday Monday? It’s downright impossible. If you are too (hands?), here’s a totally doable weeknight dinner that’s ready in under 30 minutes: these quick peanut pasta!
Tips for making peanut noodles!
On weekdays, Alex and I try to choose meals that are quick and easy dinners. These peanut noodles are ready in less than 30 minutes! This recipe was inspired by Napa cabbage and red bell peppers that we bought at the local farmer’s market. Here are some tips for that!
- Use toasted sesame oil in the peanut sauce! Be sure to use toasted sesame oil and not regular sesame oil. Grilled oil has a much nuttier flavor intended for sauces.
- Use our trick to “cook” vegetables! Instead of screwing up another pan to cook cabbage and peppers, use our favorite trick. Once the noodles are cooked, place the veggies in the colander and drain the noodles directly over it. The heat of the boiling water “cooks” the veggies, making them perfectly tender! It’s a genius trick that we love to use in our recipes.
- The set is essential. Topped with freshly squeezed lime juice, cilantro, and crushed peanuts, this bowl of peanut pasta was delicious!
Are soba noodles gluten free? What are gluten free substitutes?
This peanut noodle recipe is gluten-free if you make sure the soba noodles you buy are flour-free! Soba noodles are made from gluten-free buckwheat flour. However, many brands also add some all-purpose flour to the pasta. Be sure to check the ingredients on the packaging! You can also use rice noodles for another gluten-free option.
The keys to a good peanut sauce
These peanut noodles go perfectly with a really tasty peanut sauce! What’s in Peanut Sauce? The secret of this one is to bring in many flavors at once: rich, creamy, tangy, nutty, savory, sweet and tangy. Here are the keys to the sauce:
- peanut butter (all natural) as a rich, creamy base
- rice vinegar for silk
- Toasted Sesame Oil for a hazelnut undertone
- Soy Sauce (or Liquid Aminos for soy-free) for a savory and salty complexity
- maple syrup for a little sweetness
- Sriracha for a kick!
What is Chinese cabbage?
This recipe calls for Napa cabbage:. What is that? Chinese cabbage (also called Chinese cabbage) is light green and oblong in shape. It has thick, crisp stems and curly yellow-green leaves. It is a cruciferous vegetable like other cabbages, Brussels sprouts and kale.
Can you substitute Napa cabbage for kale in this recipe? Not really. Chinese cabbage has a mild flavor and delicate texture that makes it particularly suitable for this recipe. Try to find Napa Cabbage if you can! (Want to learn more about cabbage? Here are all of our best cabbage recipes.)
This peanut pasta recipe is…
Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based and dairy-free. For gluten-free pasta, use gluten-free pasta.
The description
This peanut pasta recipe is ready in under 30 minutes! It’s a quick and easy plant-based dinner with crunchy veggies and a flavorful peanut sauce.
- ½ pound Chinese cabbage, shredded (4 at 5 Cups)*
- 1 Red pepper
- ¼ cup Coriander, finely chopped
- ¼ cup peanut butter
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 3 tablespoons soy pasture
- 1 tbsp maple syrup (or honey)
- 1 teaspoon sriracha sauce
- 12 ounces Soba noodles (look for 100% buckwheat noodles or rice noodles for a gluten-free option)
- 2 Lemons
- ½ cup chopped peanuts
- Grate the cabbage. Cut the red peppers into thin slices. Chop the cilantro and set aside for garnish.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil.
- In a small saucepan, whisk together peanut butter, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, maple syrup or honey, and sriracha sauce. Cook the sauce over low heat until hot and slightly thickened.
- When the water is boiling, cook the noodles according to package directions.
- Meanwhile, place the red peppers in a colander over the sink. When the noodles are cooked, drain them in the colander over the red peppers to lightly cook the peppers. Place pasta, peppers, and cabbage in a serving bowl, add sauce, and toss until well combined.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro, freshly squeezed lime juice (a must!) and a generous helping of crushed peanuts to serve.
Remarks
*Chinese cabbage is also known as Chinese cabbage: it is oblong in shape with thick, crisp stems and curly yellow-green leaves. Don’t substitute kale or red cabbage in this Napa cabbage recipe! Chinese cabbage has a completely different texture and taste.
- Category: main course
- Method: Cook
- Kitchen: Asian
Keywords: Soba Noodles, Soba, Vegetarian, Vegan, Cabbage, Red Peppers, Peanut Sauce, Peanut Noodles
Looking for quicker and easier dinner ideas?
We have many other quick and easy dinner ideas! Aside from those peanut pasta, here are some simpler dinner ideas:
Last update: January 2020
